Disc or Tiller

[nybirdman]

Nobody has more rocks than us in the North-east..I have miles of stone fences and lots of rock piles...farmed since 1850....tiller does work but you must keep the discharge flap full OPEN.Kicks 99.9% out the back.I had one flat rock about 15in. jam my tiller up....the slip clutch worked!I have a cultivator too.....takes a lot more passes with that to break up plowed ground.

 

[Egon]

I've found that the smaller flat rocks or ones about fist sized will jamb up the most.

 

[spruce Deere]

Welcome to TBN:thumbsup: I too was a long time reader before joining

I would lean towards a tiller. Minimal passes, usually one or two and all is good. Even if you did not plow first in your established garden

A disc will work, but many passes would be required. And it would not be as nice and even and fluffed as a tiller would leave it.

If breaking new ground or expanding the existing garden is on the list, I would still lean towards the tiller even after using the plow.

Rocks and tillers dont get along but, the worst things I have had happen is a brick one time and a rock another time stopped the tines cold and the slip clutch on the tiller went to work and Nothing broke. HIGHLY recommend a slip clutch for any tiller.

TSC sells king kutter tillers I believe, and that brand if you do a "search" on them and read up they are darn near bullet proof.

I am going to be upgrading my gear drive maletti 48 incher to a 60 inch king kutter before long

 

[nspec]

I'm in the exact same situation. While my plow and a disc sure would be lots of fun, think of this: What if down the road, the garden is all established and you wanted to till just select areas and leave others undisturbed? I think you'd have a great deal of difficulty with a disc. Piece of cake to run down a row or two with a tiller. I'm going with a 60" King Kutter tiller myself.

 

[Dmaderi]

Well........ordered! Everythingattachments has the 60" kk tiller for a good price with free shipping within a 1000 miles so I went ahead and ordered it. Now I can't wait to get it. Thank you for all of the responses!

 

[jonyyuma]

Myself, I won't be going back to the Disc set....The tiller does a very nice job of pulverizing the soil...Not sure about big rocks?? It does have a shear bolt on the drive shaft. if it becomes a problem then I will buy a slip-clutch for it..

 

[Dmaderi]

Guess what I ordered? Came in yesterday......can't wait for good weather! Thanks again everyone!

 

[jsanders420]

So,what you guys are saying is this - If a guy has a turning plow and disc he has all he needs to get a garden in good shape. I have a turning plow, disc, chisel plow, sub soiler and cultivator...I should be good. I guess I've been too impatient. I was going to scrounge money for a tiller but not now. Where would I go to find the best use for all this equipment?

 

[bp fick]

So,what you guys are saying is this - If a guy has a turning plow and disc he has all he needs to get a garden in good shape. I have a turning plow, disc, chisel plow, sub soiler and cultivator...I should be good. I guess I've been too impatient. I was going to scrounge money for a tiller but not now. Where would I go to find the best use for all this equipment?

Look, it is simple. Tillers are awesome, if expensive, implements. But how did people put in gardens or work farm fields for the last few thousand years before their invention? I wouldn't mind having one myself, but don't own a 3 pt tiller yet.

Yes, of course, hundreds of thousands of people put in large garden just using plows, disks, and spring/spike harrows, etc, including me.

 

[bp fick]

So,what you guys are saying is this - If a guy has a turning plow and disc he has all he needs to get a garden in good shape. I have a turning plow, disc, chisel plow, sub soiler and cultivator...I should be good. I guess I've been too impatient. I was going to scrounge money for a tiller but not now. Where would I go to find the best use for all this equipment?

jsanders, life is filled with learning experiences. It's what keeps it interesting. While we learn from copying others examples, in the end, we have to dive in and learn by a first hand doing of a thing.

No two plots are quite the same, as soil varies widely. However, given your list of implements, try different ways and judge the outcome for yourself, for in the end, only you can judge and only you will be able to develop a working plan that is effective.

Basically, here is a sketch. You take it from there and enjoy life by learning as you go.

1. Plow in fall, especially, if you have clay in the soil and have frosts to break it down. If your soil is sandy, just disk compost and trash in.

2. If not plowed in fall, plow in spring. If soil requires some disking, do so, but remember, every trip across the soil risks compaction.

Then, using your cultivator as a "rake", smooth out the ground and commence planting. A drag behind spike tooth harrow will leave the ground extremely pretty.

Here's to wishing you a successful gardening year!