Tiller advice on tillers...

gravelman · Apr 27, 2015

Hi folks...gravelman here..i want to buy a 50 or 54" rototiller for my tractor. i have a Mahindra Max 25... any suggestions?? will not see alot of use but i dont want piece of junk either... thanks

Gary Fowler · Apr 27, 2015

There are a lot of tiller options. Some folks like the reverse rotation type where the dirt is thrown forward by the tines, others like myself like the forward rotation due to rocky soil that would likely hang up a reverse rotation tiller. I think the reverse tines would dig into hard soil a bit better so it is a trade off in what you want to do. Another debatable issue is chain drive versus gear drive. I prefer the gear drive so I don't have to deal with a slack chain or chain tensioner adjustment but that is just my preference. I don't think one does any better than the other in terms of tilling.

The one thing that is not debatable is that one with 6 tines per flange is much better than one with 4 tines per flange.

The top cover on some is pretty thin like my King Kutter II and rocks will put dents in it. Look at this item when selecting a tiller and get one with the thickest steel.

Next check the welded areas. There have been some reports here on TBN of some brands with really crappy welds. I would avoid any brand like that also just because if they try to save a little by improper welding, they likely do the same with other items.

IslandTractor · Apr 27, 2015

I've been happy with the 72" King Kutter tiller. I cannot recall what the exact sizes are of smaller models but believe they use essentially the same mechanism. Sturdy, gear driven and easy to use.

Rocky Hoffler · Apr 27, 2015

I do a lot of beach tilling and have had several tillers the best I have had is the sicma tiller it has 6 cutters instead of 4 and has forward rotation it is more expensive but some times you get what you pay for

bigtiller · Apr 27, 2015

At 1600 lbs and 20 hp, your tractor will do good with a tiller of any brand that your wallet likes. I think 54" may be on the border line and suggest staying closer to 48"-50". But size depends on the soil, depth and speed. 54" will work but just slower.

powerscol · Apr 27, 2015

Check out the Ansung Terra Force line. They are built strong. Another place to check and this may be a cheaper option depending on your usage is you local agg rental place. If it is in their rental fleet it is a good bet it is dependable. Sometimes you can pick them up on sale too from them.

Fawken · Apr 27, 2015

gravelman said:
Hi folks...gravelman here..i want to buy a 50 or 54" rototiller for my tractor. i have a Mahindra Max 25... any suggestions?? will not see alot of use but i dont want piece of junk either... thanks

It's hard to go wrong with the King Cutter (County Line at TSC) brand for durability. I have a 44" model that I use behind my little Ford 1100. The Northern Tool models were cheaper, but the tines did not seem to be as sturdy as the County Line. My only beef is that the unit could stand to be geared lower, i.e. at 540 PTO the tines are spinning like crazy and my little tractor bogs down a bit in our hard clay soil.

Also, I would suggest measuring the actual width of your tractor and get the smallest size tiller that will cover your tracks. It will be easier to control, easier to store, and easier on your hydraulics and engine.

PapaPerk · Apr 27, 2015

Check out my vid! This is a 72" King Kutter tiller. Good unit!! Powered by a 38 hp Kubota.

https://youtu.be/m38pf-JaU0A

Let me know if you have any questions.

Olympus · May 1, 2015

I think your machine is perfectly capable of a 5ft tiller. 50" is on the small size. I have an LS J2023 which is similar in HP to your machine, about 300lbs lighter, and not as wide. I just bought a 5ft King Kutter tiller about a month and my tractor has no problem at all with the 5ft tiller.

The biggest thing you'll notice with a smaller tiller is you will need to offset the tiller to one side or the other in order to cover one of your tire tracks. The a 50" tiller won't be wide enough to cover both. Offsetting is a hassle and if you can get one big enough to keep from having to do that, go for it! But if my tractor will easily operate a 5ft tiller, your tractor should also.

jenkinsph · May 1, 2015

bigtiller said:
At 1600 lbs and 20 hp, your tractor will do good with a tiller of any brand that your wallet likes. I think 54" may be on the border line and suggest staying closer to 48"-50". But size depends on the soil, depth and speed. 54" will work but just slower.

I agree, don't go too big.

Sysop · May 1, 2015

King Kutter has been recommended and is a good unit, but don't get one without seeing the unit you are taking home with you first. I have a KK tiller that shipped to me direct from the KK factory, and the paint is the worst paint I've ever seen on a piece of equipment. There wasn't a piece or panel that didn't have runs in the paint running three different directions... There were places the paint would wipe off with a rag. Worst paint ever...

PapaPerk · May 1, 2015

Sysop said:
King Kutter has been recommended and is a good unit, but don't get one without seeing the unit you are taking home with you first. I have a KK tiller that shipped to me direct from the KK factory, and the paint is the worst paint I've ever seen on a piece of equipment. There wasn't a piece or panel that didn't have runs in the paint running three different directions... There were places the paint would wipe off with a rag. Worst paint ever...

Yeah the paint is not the best. I'm not a fan of KK but I like my tiller. Especially for the price!

Fawken · May 3, 2015

And whatever tiller you get, store it out of the weather. My bush hog and box blade are the only implements that get left out in the rain. Too many moving parts on a tiller and I've seen several that were hopelessly rusted out.

PapaPerk · May 13, 2015

Fawken said:
And whatever tiller you get, store it out of the weather. My bush hog and box blade are the only implements that get left out in the rain. Too many moving parts on a tiller and I've seen several that were hopelessly rusted out.

Yeah I agree! Too many moving parts to rust up on ya. And if you have a KK it will rust in a few weeks! Hahahaha!

mossdown · May 14, 2015

I too have a Sicma tiller. It is 65'' and covers my tire tracks totally. The six tine is the way to go. I've had a Bush Hog brand previously with only 4 tines . This Sicma way out performs my other brand. These tillers are not cheap. Good luck with your choice.

Sysop · May 14, 2015

PapaPerk said:
Yeah the paint is not the best. I'm not a fan of KK but I like my tiller. Especially for the price!

Agreed, I can complain about many things about my KK, but not the operation or price.

Daver1963 · May 14, 2015

My King Kutter must be an annomally. It came with a good paint job, sits out in the weather, and the only thing rusted is the cotter pin that holds the rod that keeps the plate on the back.
It is the 48" Professional model and it is built to naturally offset and cover the right tread. Sometimes I wish I had a bigger model, but when it starts bogging down in wet soil I realize its the right size for my 29 horses.

IslandTractor · May 14, 2015

My 72" King Kutter also sits outside though it has a tarp thrown over it in winter. Doesn't seem any worse for the wear after four seasons. It is gear driven so all the mechanical parts are bathed in oil anyway. The tine tips get rusty but two minutes of tilling fixes that.

Gary Fowler · May 14, 2015

I keep my tractors, boat, motorcycle and cars under cover. Everything else sits outside. A little rust just gives it character.

PapaPerk · May 14, 2015

IslandTractor said:
My 72" King Kutter also sits outside though it has a tarp thrown over it in winter. Doesn't seem any worse for the wear after four seasons. It is gear driven so all the mechanical parts are bathed in oil anyway. The tine tips get rusty but two minutes of tilling fixes that.

Make sure you keep the gear box vent port covered so no water can work its way into the gear case.