BEST 72" TILLER,

   / BEST 72" TILLER, #11  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

Good luck on finding one at an auction...
My thoughts are that the heavier the better, if your tractor can handle the weight. As far as gear vs hydro, if gear you’ll need a creeper range and you’ll be OK. I bought a 6’ Howse and have been well satisfied, but I don’t know if some of the smaller cut’s would handle the weight. Seems that driving the tines doesn’t take that much HP for me, and we’ve got some heavy ground.
My dealer ordered mine for me, and my price was about $300 less than Howse’ website prices at the time, but I don’t remember exactly what that was right off.
 
   / BEST 72" TILLER, #12  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

I have done over 90 acres with my 60 inch King Kutter tiller. Next year I will be stepping up to the 72 inch, not because this one is worn out, it will just be faster with a wider tiller. Will keep the old one to run on the smaller NH tractor.
 
   / BEST 72" TILLER, #13  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

There are so many different brands of tillers, different prices, different weights, different number and size of tines, gear vs. chain drive, etc. And I'm just wondering whether I've missed something in the past, because it seems to me that everyone who has a tiller is happy with it, regardless of brand. I used a chain drive Bush Hog brand for several years with no problem at all, and I like Bush Hog products, but if I were going to buy a new tiller now, I'd probably have to try one of the cheaper ones.
 
   / BEST 72" TILLER, #14  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( There are so many different brands of tillers, different prices, different weights, different number and size of tines, gear vs. chain drive, etc. And I'm just wondering whether I've missed something in the past, because it seems to me that everyone who has a tiller is happy with it, regardless of brand. I used a chain drive Bush Hog brand for several years with no problem at all, and I like Bush Hog products, but if I were going to buy a new tiller now, I'd probably have to try one of the cheaper ones. )</font>

Almost took the words straight outta my mouth...(or off my fingertips, as the case may be.....)

Several years back, I bought an expensive, but VERY high quality Howard Rotovator. (80") It;s without doubt, a very fine piece of equipment. It was around $4000 back then.

2-1/2 years ago, I bought a King Kutter 72" tiller at auction, with the sole intent of selling it for a profit. Then I used it.... I had a job that I thought would do damage to the Howard "tiller" (They don't consider it a common tiller) I was impressed to say the very least. It did a great job, and didn't flinch when it was asked to till hard clay, full of rocks and brick batts. (Put a few dents in it, and broke 2 tines, but no serious damage)

I ended up keeping the KK tiller. I still have the Howard unit also. (They both get used on a 60 HP 2440 Deere)

The Howard unit that replaced my older one sells for near $5000 (tax,shipping, set-up) (I priced one at the National Farm Machinery Show last Feb.

The King Kutter II sells at a local farm supply store for $1225

Do the math....FOUR King Kutter tillers vs. ONE Howard Rotovator for the same money.

The Howard unit will work soil a bit deeper (Maybe 2") It has a variable speed gearbox. (which is nice on certain occasions)

If the King Kutter (or any of the "cheaper" brands) will do the job, it would seem to me that they would be hard to top.... If they only last 4 or 5 years each, you still get to keep MOST of your money in the bank. (Or in a Mason jar, spent on wife and/or girlfriend, or even on another toy/tool)

Anyone that knows me will tell you I'm the type that has to buy the best of what there is to offer. I don't go for "cheap tools".... In the case of PTO tillers, some are just "less expensive" as opposed to cheap in my eyes....
 
   / BEST 72" TILLER, #15  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

"The tilling I will be doing is in between grape vine rows that are ~9 feet on center."

Are you keeping it tilled for weeds.. or tilling to plant a cover crop like grass or clover? The cover crop would help keep your moisture level up in the ground.. plus keep errosion to a minimum.. clover or other legume would help w/ putting nitrogen into the soil. Then your maintenance would be just mowing between your grape vine rows.. and would be faster then tilling.
 
   / BEST 72" TILLER, #16  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

I have a L4330 HSTC and a CCM tiller one size smaller (about 5' ) It has worked great in clay soil. It doesn't seem to load the engine at all. Tilling 5 acres is a snap with mine. It does create alot of dust when it is dry out, a cab really helps clean you clean though.
If I did custom tilling I might get a commercial grade tiller but for 5-10 acres the CCM is fine.
 

Attachments

  • 644897-4330 Kubota 5.JPG
    644897-4330 Kubota 5.JPG
    60.3 KB · Views: 246
   / BEST 72" TILLER,
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

Interesting comments regarding $$$$$$ vs $$

Kensfarm
yes I will eventually do a cover crop and mow it (which means at some point I will start a post regarding Flail Mowers but I know I cant afford one now) even with a cover crop still need to till it or disk it under at least once ayear.

GeneD14
How do you like your L4330 HST??? Did you get the 3rd function ie eHyd button on your joy stick to run a 4 in 1 or grapple on the loader? I can not wait to try that out ~2 more weeks, I will need to add rear remotes, dealer wanted too much. Why did you get a ~5' CCM vs a ~6' to cover the tires and which model did you get?
 
   / BEST 72" TILLER, #18  
Re: BEST 72\" TILLER,

Muscat,
I love my L4330 HSTC! The climate controlled cab is heaven! The hydro is also a blessing. I have owned 17 gear drive tractors, and 2 shuttle shift. I would not trade the hydro for any of them. I do alot of loader work so the LA853 loader comes in handy. The only thing that I would do different is get the 5030 for more HP. I don't have the extra button on the joystick, I currently do not need a grapple. I bought the 5' foot CCM a few years ago when I had a narrower tractor. While this tiller is a few inches narrower than my tread it chews up the dirt a little wider and covers my tracks barely. I can also offset a few inches if I really need too.
 

Attachments

  • 645352-4330 Kubota 5.JPG
    645352-4330 Kubota 5.JPG
    60.3 KB · Views: 215

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

John Deere 825I Gator (RUNS) (A50774)
John Deere 825I...
2014 BMW 320i Sedan (A50324)
2014 BMW 320i...
2006 Imperial 14Ft Flatbed T/A Equipment Trailer (A50324)
2006 Imperial 14Ft...
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV (A50324)
2019 Chevrolet...
2020 KUBOTA RTV X1100C UTV (A51406)
2020 KUBOTA RTV...
John Deere 922 Platform (A50514)
John Deere 922...
 
Top