Tiller Clogged tiller

[Davidlx]

I tilled under my winter rye crop with my Bush Hog Tiller. Now the tiller is clogged with a lot of rye wrapped around the shaft and between the teeth. Any tips on removing this mess? Thanks.

David :

 

[Darren]

You need something handy and sharp. Orient and block the tiller so it absolutely can't move and you can get at the mass. Use a sharp knive or anything else that will chop or slice the stalks. It's slow and nasty especially since you have to work around the tines.

Tillers don't incorporate vegetation well. The stuff either wraps around the shaft or if mowed beforehand tends to mat up and clump the soil depending on the soil moisture.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've tried running the tiller into a rocky area I have, with the hope that it would clean off the tines. It was somewhat effective but not a great solution. What I end up doing is to take the tiller off and pick it up using the FEL and a tow strap so the tiller dangles over my wheelbarrow, and then use a large screw driver or knife depending on what is clogging up the tiller and just spend some time cleaning it off. It is much more pleasent for an old geezer to be able to stand up comfortably and work on this then to crawl around under the tiller trying to see what you're doing in the dark with bifocals...YMMV

I dump the mess out of the wheelbarrow into my FEL and take it somewhere to get rid of it.

 

[Bird]

I always used an inch and a quarter putty knife (cause that's what I had and carried in the toolbox all the time) and I sharpened the front end of it pretty sharp. I've also wondered if one of those hooked blade knives (seems like they used to call them linoleum knives) wouldn't work pretty well.

 

[DKinWA]

Bird, Your idea to use the linoleum knife is a good one. I use one to clear the tines on my Troybilt and it works great. It provides a good sharp point that you can use to dig out and cut grasses and vines that didn't till well.

 

[nicklan]

How about a torch - used careful, and a hose nearby.

Nick

 

[fractal]

First time I clogged mine I pulled it out by hand. Took forever and lots of fine language. My hands did not like me when I was done.

Second time I used a utility knife. Took just as long with just as much fine language. My hands did not like me much when I was done and I doubt that the knife blade did much good to the equipment when I slipped.

Last three or 4 times I have used pruning shears. The bypass type with curved blade. Jam hook into a mass of stuff and clip. Repeat till through. You then have nice short pieces of vegitation to pull off. A lot easier on the hands as well as the equipment.

 

[IndianaPaul]

I have been using the linoleum knife for for last two years....shapr enough to cut the stuff out and the hooked blade makes pulling it out as you go much easier AND saves my knuckles the beating they normally would have gotten. I usually keep it and a spare in my toolbox on tractor.

IndianaPaul

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> I've also wondered if one of those hooked blade knives (seems like they used to call them linoleum knives) wouldn't work pretty well. </font>

And here I've been using my hands all these years.... yeesh! Common sense once again, Bird! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'll have to get one of those. Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I tilled many acres of strawberries in my youth as fields came out of production. Nothing like strawberry runners to wrap around tiller blades and shafts. The linoleum knife is the ticket. I spent so much time under the tiller that my dad accused me of using it as shade to take afternoon naps (which I did /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). I still carry a sharpened linoleum knife in my toolbox though I have long been away from strawberries. A great tool for many purposes...bailing twine, garden ties, etc.

 

[SLOBuds]

Is there a way to reduce or eliminate the clogging?

I'm wondering if you'd have better luck taking one pass with brush hog or flail, and then till.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( if you'd have better luck taking one pass with brush hog or flail, and then till )</font>

That's what I usually did with my vegetable garden; brush hog first, then till. However, if plants are dry and brittle enough, you don't even need to do that. I've tilled corn stalks and okra plants that were over 6' tall without mowing them down first, but it sure helps if they're really dry when you do.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue">it sure helps if they're really dry </font>

Yeah, the green vines get caught up real easy. The dry ones just get broken up and incorporated into the soil.