Tiller 240d Buying a tiller..

[California]

You know a whole bunch!...

Hardly. I've owned a YM240 since 2003 and back then there was little information available so I became a participant in the Yanmar forum here and learned a lot from the regulars. I guess I've become one.

I suggest start new threads in that forum, where others who have solved the same issues describe their solutions. That forum has become the 'common body of knowledge' that has kept these elderly Yanmar orphans in service and well supported long after Yanmar abandoned their US dealers. The recently-opened dealers of modern Yanmars aren't trained in supporting the old ones. I suppose they can order parts, but the parts support from Hoye is good and Hoye understands these models.

Come join us in the Yanmar forum here!

 

[jeff9366]

I thought tillers all ran against the tractor, reverse action

To the contrary, about 90%+ forward rotation, 10% or less rear rotation or switchable.


I do not believe your 1,700 pound (bare tractor) Yanmar 240d could move a rear rotation tiller down a row.

 

[Cord]

I thought tillers all ran against the tractor, reverse action

The Yanmar tiller I had cut forward. Tires didn't provide forward traction, but would actually try to hold the tiller back. Busting hard ground could have the tiller lifting the back of the tractor up and then flipping under the hitch arms. This resulted in the tractor being propelled forward at the speed of the tines. Thoroughly entertaining! Happened to me a couple of times until I learned to break ground in low and take shallow bites. Those guide wheels are there for a reason!

 

[California]

The Yanmar tiller I had cut forward. Tires didn't provide forward traction, but would actually try to hold the tiller back. Busting hard ground could have the tiller lifting the back of the tractor up and then flipping under the hitch arms. This resulted in the tractor being propelled forward at the speed of the tines. .... Those guide wheels are there for a reason!

Wow. Was that on the little YM1110D?

I now use the Yanmar RS1400 tiller (1400mm, 55 inches) mostly on the YM186D - 18 engine hp, 15 pto. (Because this little one fits under the trees better). I've never had it tuck under like that. There aren't rocks in this orchard but there are plenty of big roots. The tiller will leap in the air when it takes a bite of one.

This tiller was the model sold new together with YM2000, 24hp/ 20 pto. On the smaller YM186D, the tractor is working hard but it doesn't overheat so I assume I am within spec.

 

[Yanmar240d1980]

Ok, got my eye on a maschio Italian gently used W 85 .... Problem is shipping is gonna bleed me out... Still though, is 1700 to my door that bad for a 33inch vineyard type Great tiller... Heard these are 3k new? I could get a 1300 dollar new American one.... But heard euro or Asian is better... Thoughts?

 

[jeff9366]

Check freight rates on "uShip" the web based freight broker.

LINK: uShip | The Online Shipping Marketplace

 

[California]

Ok, got my eye on a maschio Italian gently used W 85 .... Problem is shipping is gonna bleed me out... Still though, is 1700 to my door that bad for a 33inch vineyard type?

If it were me I would keep looking. That Maschio looks to be top quality but at 33 inches, its too specialized. Two strikes against it: 1) you need a wider tiller, 2) the price reflects quality that would stand up to service as a rental or a contract farmer who runs it hundreds of hours per year but for you, paying a substantial premium for that durability doesn't gain you anything in the few hours you would use it in a year.

This time of year there aren't many tillers advertised. You shouldn't need to have a distant and untested unit shipped in. Wait for spring and get something you can inspect before buying.

A Wanted ad in the farm section of Craigslist might bring you something local and fairly priced. This time of year, some people are overwhelmed with Christmas debt so unloading something they never got around to using might look attractive to someone who hadn't thought of selling. List an offer of $800 and see what turns up.

 

[Yanmar240d1980]

If it were me I would keep looking. That Maschio looks to be top quality but at 33 inches, its too specialized. Two strikes against it: 1) you need a wider tiller, 2) the price reflects quality that would stand up to service as a rental or a contract farmer who runs it hundreds of hours per year but for you, paying a substantial premium for that durability doesn't gain you anything in the few hours you would use it in a year.

This time of year there aren't many tillers advertised. You shouldn't need to have a distant and untested unit shipped in. Wait for spring and get something you can inspect before buying.

A Wanted ad in the farm section of Craigslist might bring you something local and fairly priced. This time of year, some people are overwhelmed with Christmas debt so unloading something they never got around to using might look attractive to someone who hadn't thought of selling. List an offer of $800 and see what turns up.

I was worried about a wider tiller with how small my tractor is... great advice though I will check you ship as well . I just don't want a piece of crap. I'm gaining patience but still not my strong suit they say I'm supposed to till a month before I plant

 

[powerscol]

I was worried about a wider tiller with how small my tractor is... great advice though I will check you ship as well . I just don't want a piece of crap. I'm gaining patience but still not my strong suit they say I'm supposed to till a month before I plant

Have you checked with you local rental AGG dealer. I got a fantastic deal on one out of a rental fleet. They rotate equipment every 2 years. Mine had less than 5 days rental on it.

 

[Cord]

Yea, that was with the 1110. Really liked that tractor but it had to go at the bottom of the recession so I could pay the mortgage. Lost about 50% of my value on that sale.

Regarding tiller size, I'm pretty sure my tiny 1110 had a 36" tiller so a 240 can certainly handle something much larger.