Any tips for buying a used pto tiller?

[Kent B]

I have been shopping for a tiller to use with my Ford 1710. I was wondering if there is any specific issue I need to consider when looking for a used one.
I won't be putting a whole lot of hours on it but I don't want to buy a new "cheap" one. The garden area is too large(half acre) for one of those self propelled types. There could be a few rocks in the dirt but not many.
From reading the other posts comparing tillers for compact tractors it looks like "King Kutter" is a good name brand.
So what parts wear out that need to be examined before buying a used one?
Can I tell by looking at it to see if it will be suitable or serviceable?

Thanks in advance,
Kent B.

 

[mikehaugen]

I would check that everything rotates smoothly and the bearings have no play. Check gearbox (s) that it (or they) are full of oil... if not then it probably has a bad seal. Also check for excessive slop in gearbox (s). The reason I put the plural in parenthesis is because on the side some will have another gear case to drive the main shaft, some will have belts. If it had belts check the condition of them.

Most of these will be easy fixes if you are somewhat mechanically inclined, but they need to be considered when negotiating price. A very sloppy gearbox or bent rotor shaft would be what I would consider usually not worth fixing unless the price is VERY cheap. Also if the tines (or blades or whatever you want to call them) are all badly worn that could get expensive as well, though they usually last a long time.

I don't own nor have ever owned one so some others will probably add more, but I have been looking for one as well and this is what I look for. I have repaired my share of machinery so I usually know what I am getting myself into.

 

[newbury]

The first thing you need to do is decide you DON'T need a tiller and buy a plow.

I had been looking for a good used tiller for almost 3 years but could not justify a new one with a $2,000 cost, or most of the used ones that were going for $1,500.

I finally bought a new 1 bottom plow for $450 and within a few weeks a good 5' KK tiller, only lightly used, turned up on my local CL and quickly found it's way into my truck bed.

Look at how beat up it is, did the former owner till loam or rocks? Does the owner look like he took care of equipment?

Good luck.

 

[Qapla]

Besides making sure it actually works, I would want to see it work, the above mentioned checklist is good. I would add to that list, the "flap" on the back. There should be some sort of "flap", "door" or whatever you want to call it that hangs down the back. As the tiller to moves forward it adjusts itself to the depth of the ground - but it also keeps the tiller from kicking dirt out of the back. This is important since it keeps the tiller from leaving a "hole" on one end of the tilled row and a "mound" on the other end.

 

[rmk700]

So what parts wear out that need to be examined before buying a used one?

Check the tines they can be fairly expensive. Maybe get a price for new ones and deduct it off what the persons is asking for tiller. I bought a used Kuhn and noticed the tines were worn out and offered $50 less than what he was asking to replace them, but it ended up costing me much more to replace all the tines.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Make sure it will cover your tire tracks. I got a new KK for $1500 and love it, I farmed for twenty years and have plowed many acres, for a garden I like my KK.