Chain drive?

[HiTechTed]

Has anybody ever seen the chain drive on a tiller "go bad?" My search for a tiller has led me to 2 good name brands that are chain driven, and a few others that are gear driven but that are lesser name brands which get mixed (and sometimes bad) reviews.

I can see how the gear driven units might be more durable in the long run, but honestly, if I get a Woods that's chain driven do I really need to worry about it? I'm not going to be grinding stumps with it (LOL), just tilling ground that's been farmed in the last 4 years that has some rocks in it.

I'd rather have the better name brands even if they cost a couple hundred more, but should I be concerned about the chain drive? And how often would you think I'd have to replace that #80 chain and/or the sprockets? Do the chains ever slip under normal use? I can't see that happening if the slip clutch is doing it's job but maybe you guys know something I don't know. The KK tillers are gear drive but I keep seeing people who think they are junk so I'm a bit concerned about quality there. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[JJT]

Eventually you will need to replace the chain, it will stretch. At that point you may also need to replace the spockets.

 

[Happyman]

I have a Woods RTR720. It's a 7' reverse rotation tiller that has a chain drive. I have been using it for 4 years in some hard situations with no problems at all. Just be sure to keep the oil full on the chain drive unit and you should be fine. These tillers (especially Woods) are VERY tough. Go with a reliable name brand and don't look back. My $.02 :thumbsup:

 

[Kep]

I figure with a day or 2 a year's use it should out last me.

 

[HiTechTed]

Kep I think I understand where you're coming from...crap, it's not like I'll use it 10 hours a day, 365 days a year! At the most this first season I might use it several hours, but then after that it might see 2 or 3 hours per year, tops. I wanted gear drive but I'd rather have the Woods. My dealer says that Woods is USA made (they supposedly "went overseas" then came back here) and I do try to support that as much as I possibly can.

Thanks Happyman for the info on your tiller. I know Woods has a good rep on here. Chain or not, I think that's the way I'm heading. Plus if I buy that tiller, the guy will sell me a new post hole digger (not sure of the brand yet) for 425 with a 12" auger included...I think that's a pretty good deal.

Now if the ground would dry up I might be able to get something done around here...

 

[ZDB]

We have a gear drive 72" kk that we use on a small commercial farm. No problems in 3 years of use (approx 20 hour/year) breaking new ground and tilling vegetable plots.

I like the chain drive units too, the Woods was a consideration for us but price was the deciding factor for the KK.

I seem to remember some of the chain drive tillers having a chain tensioner that needed occasional adjustment. With proper care a chain drive should last a long time.

 

[HiTechTed]

We have a gear drive 72" kk that we use on a small commercial farm. No problems in 3 years of use (approx 20 hour/year) breaking new ground and tilling vegetable plots.

I like the chain drive units too, the Woods was a consideration for us but price was the deciding factor for the KK.

I seem to remember some of the chain drive tillers having a chain tensioner that needed occasional adjustment. With proper care a chain drive should last a long time.

And the price is a factor for me as well, since at the moment the KK is roughly $200 cheaper than the Woods. I am going to try and negotiate the price down a little and if I can get a hundred off, I'll probably take the Woods. If not, the KK might be the answer. It's difficult to decide sometimes when you have several choices and all are good for the most part. I just know the Woods is a better-than-average brand name machine, so if I can get it close in price to a KK then I'll have no choice but to buy it...

 

[crash325]

Kep I think I understand where you're coming from...crap, it's not like I'll use it 10 hours a day, 365 days a year! At the most this first season I might use it several hours, but then after that it might see 2 or 3 hours per year, tops. I wanted gear drive but I'd rather have the Woods. My dealer says that Woods is USA made (they supposedly "went overseas" then came back here) and I do try to support that as much as I possibly can.

Thanks Happyman for the info on your tiller. I know Woods has a good rep on here. Chain or not, I think that's the way I'm heading. Plus if I buy that tiller, the guy will sell me a new post hole digger (not sure of the brand yet) for 425 with a 12" auger included...I think that's a pretty good deal.

Now if the ground would dry up I might be able to get something done around here...

Damm!!! you should be on your way to pick that sucker up. Free!! Post hole digger, must be one of those powed by "Arm Strong" Got one of those and it is not my favorite.

Unless you are around 18 the chain may out last you. Should it need replacing, they are cheep,,,

Work is the curse of the drinking class.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[spruce Deere]

If you look at landpride the have NO gear drive tillers. Fairly high zoot brand, so chains must be O.K

The deere 647, 655, 665,673 and 681 tillers are all chain. They sure look like green sicma tillers if you start look'n close.... Deere refers to them as a commercial-duty model tillers. One frontier 'deere' model of tiller I believe, is gear driven, the RT1360. They just refer to that one as just heavy-duty though

For the couple times a year use in a garden and mabe a few neighbors gardens, don't think it matters chain or gear...

My preference leans towards gear models..... Last year I probably tilled around twenty acres with a 48" maletti gear tiller. Most of that in the tree farm, tilling in preparation before planting, tilling in-between rows after planting, tilling between rows of other more mature tree fields. Also six gardens, a darn big one for a farmers market producer, mine and four of the neighbors. I would consider that much of use heavy duty or commercial use of a tiller.

I grease the end bearing, u-joints every outing. Also rotate the end tines around with others because end tines seem to wear down quicker... along with changing the gear oil in the side and main box every year or two along with checking the slip clutch. Just depends on actual usage.

My own thoughts are if the tiller is going to get as much use as mine every year, better stick with a heavy duty or commercial labeled tiller, chain or gear.

Out of ten years on the geared maletti I've owned it, I never had a problem with gears stretching and never had to adjust them neither.... I did have the driveline 'outside half' split last year though.... Being that it was 32 years original, I figured it give its moneys worth in that amount of time

 

[Agrantina]

The tonutti Italian tiller I have says to check the chain tension at 50 hrs. Replace at 800hrs. Wow 800hrs on a tiller seems to be a lot of hrs. Don稚 think I ever would put that much on a tiller-ever.

AndyG

 

[TripleR]

Chain drives are used in a lot of industrial applications as well as some combines and other machinery. I have a Land Pride tiller and will never wear it out. We like Woods and Land Pride equipment and own both brands.

Having said that, KK also makes good equipment. The paint may not be up to par with Woods or Land Pride, but I wouldn't worry about their dependability.

 

[HiTechTed]

Damm!!! you should be on your way to pick that sucker up. Free!! Post hole digger, must be one of those powed by "Arm Strong" Got one of those and it is not my favorite.

Unless you are around 18 the chain may out last you. Should it need replacing, they are cheep,,,

Work is the curse of the drinking class.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Only the post hole digger is 425 with the 12" auger...the tiller is around 1500. And the PHD isn't one of those "armstrong" ones, it's for the 3PH (I don't do armstrong much anymore...I figure if I have the tractor why torture myself)! BUT, I never checked the brand, or the gearbox rating on that PHD, I just asked the dealer if he had one and what he would sell it to me for. I'll check the details and get back on that. I might take some pics to show, just for the sake of doing it.

And thanks to everybody up to this point for the suggestions and the good advice and info. You are certainly helping me make a sound decision. I only get one shot, and it's taken a lot of work to convince my wife to buy this. I have to make the right call, or it will be held over my head for many years to come....

The dealer also has a new 5' box blade (I'm 100% positive it's a Hawkline) that he'd sell me for 400. It's not as beefy as the United units I've seen, but for 400 skins I'm leaning hard towards getting it. I wish it had the clevis hitches for the lower 3pt arms but maybe I can modify it for a few extra bucks.

 

[spruce Deere]

"I have to make the right call, or it will be held over my head for many years to come...."



Fully understand hitech

 

[Happyman]

Whichever you end up buying, just be certain to get one with a SLIP CLUTCH. Don't go the shear bolt route.

 

[Snaker]

I've had a John Deere chain drive for several years now and it doesn't show any wear on the chain/sprockets. Last year I used it alot for cleaning ditches.
One thing I looked for when buying mine was a full length tine shaft with end drive. I didn't want the dirt ridge that the center drive leaves.
I don't know if they make a geared type end drive.

 

[jpm1]

Chains will eventually stretch and wear out, its just the nature of the beast! Have no fear there relatively cheap to replace and with the average user, last a long, long time. On my past 3pth snow blower i replaced the chain 3 times, but this poor piece of iron gets abused sometimes 18 hours a day. Anyways if you didn't spend your money on repairs what would you do with it all?. . . John
Oh! wait a minute you'de donate it to the government, right?

 

[HiTechTed]

I'm going with the Woods TC60 with a slip clutch and forward rotation. The dealer quoted me 1550 on it, I think that's a fair price considering the MSRP on it is over 2 grand.

He also quoted me 450 for a Lienbach L7200 post hole digger with a 12" auger, and 350 for a 5' Hawkline box blade. The Hawkline is fairly beefy looking and for that price I can't pass it up.

And I don't donate to the government, they tend to simply take what they feel they deserve...

 

[Happyman]

Great prices and good decisions all around :thumbsup:.
For what it's worth, I approve.:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

That is a great price.

 

[spruce Deere]

Yes sir.... good choice:thumbsup: I have a woods dealer locally....unfortunately prefer not to waste my time about what woods has to offer for tillers or any manufacture for that matter, threw there.....

Do know of a woods dirt grinder of a partner farm, uses a GTC I think? but its a 52" woods and on average tills 5 acres a year and loves it.

You have chosen wisely with the sweet deal on the post hole maker and box blade too.... the more toy... er'...uhh... tools the better