First use of the 4820! Tilling.

[CloverKnollFarms]

So I was able to break ground on my 1 acre buckwheat stand today.

The IronCraft 72" tiller worked well.

I used the auto PTO function and cruise control as well. I set the three point speed slow enough that I can set the lever all the way down, as it drops the PTO automatically starts, and before it hits the ground I throttle up to 2500 RPM. The cruise let me keep a steady speed across the field.

I would not want any less than 48hp on this clay loam. Its not been worked in maybe 20 years.

 

[K5lwq]

Looks like it did a good job! The tiller looks like a good one as well. Nice to see quality products coming from IronCraft.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Looks like it did a good job! The tiller looks like a good one as well. Nice to see quality products coming from IronCraft.

The clay loam sod is turned to powder. It’ll make the tractor grunt for sure

 

[etpm]

I have a 43 year old Yanmar and my tiller that I bought last year is a reconditioned 5 foot wide Yanmar tiller. I know just how you feel though. When I used the tiller the first time it bucked and bounced because of my clay loam soil that is packed with rocks. But after a few passes, with me removing the rocks that surfaced with each pass, the ground looks and is smooth, ready for planting. It seems silly but it really is a kinda thrill, isn't it? I know how you feel, except you are using a brand new machine and tiller. That must be really fun. Nothing like testing the new tractor. I'm sure you are having fun and I'm right there with you in spirit.
Eric

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have a 43 year old Yanmar and my tiller that I bought last year is a reconditioned 5 foot wide Yanmar tiller. I know just how you feel though. When I used the tiller the first time it bucked and bounced because of my clay loam soil that is packed with rocks. But after a few passes, with me removing the rocks that surfaced with each pass, the ground looks and is smooth, ready for planting. It seems silly but it really is a kinda thrill, isn't it? I know how you feel, except you are using a brand new machine and tiller. That must be really fun. Nothing like testing the new tractor. I'm sure you are having fun and I'm right there with you in spirit.
Eric

Luckily we are rock free... But the soil needs to be turned for sure. It is very hard. The unit worked well though!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have a 43 year old Yanmar and my tiller that I bought last year is a reconditioned 5 foot wide Yanmar tiller. I know just how you feel though. When I used the tiller the first time it bucked and bounced because of my clay loam soil that is packed with rocks. But after a few passes, with me removing the rocks that surfaced with each pass, the ground looks and is smooth, ready for planting. It seems silly but it really is a kinda thrill, isn't it? I know how you feel, except you are using a brand new machine and tiller. That must be really fun. Nothing like testing the new tractor. I'm sure you are having fun and I'm right there with you in spirit.
Eric

I also purchased a Packer Maxx for my ATV to cultipack the ground after I broadcast the seed. It was affordable, 100lbs per foot of packer, and will be easier to store in the barn.

 

[K5lwq]

On hard ground I use to turn it with a plow then till. I found it easier on the tractor and tiller. Takes longer but works well. Another thing I would do from time to time is the first pass with the tiller is not go as deep then go over it again with the tiller deeper.

The more you use it you will find techniques to make it easier.

 

[Thomas]

Chop nicely.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

On hard ground I use to turn it with a plow then till. I found it easier on the tractor and tiller. Takes longer but works well. Another thing I would do from time to time is the first pass with the tiller is not go as deep then go over it again with the tiller deeper.

The more you use it you will find techniques to make it easier.

I will admit, the shoes are set to max depth, so the first pass is a few inches deep. I may lift the shoes a setting to expedite the sod cutting, let that decomp for a week or so, then hit it again deeper to get a 5-6" seed bed loosened. It was also dryer than I had thought it would be.

I did hit some rock in one corner, and it didn't harm the unit at all. Also got into some tree roots at the edge of the property, and it didn't even know they were there.

Overall very happy. The tractors rear is plastered with dust. No more clean tractor. The whole while I thought, this isn't clogging my DPF

 

[tacticalturnip]

Barely any dirt on her, doesn't look like she sweat at all.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Barely any dirt on her, doesn't look like she sweat at all.

That is the before photo. She is dirty… the back end has dirt piled up

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I will also say, even going deep and cutting sod, it didn’t push the tractor around at all.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I will also say, even going deep and cutting sod, it didn’t push the tractor around at all.

Good! That's a heavy tractor.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Also love the turning radius, coupled with the hydro drive and auto throttle. Turning at the field ends is quick. All that technology sure does make it fun to operate. Interested in what sort of fuel economy I'll see.

 

[K5lwq]

Also love the turning radius, coupled with the hydro drive and auto throttle. Turning at the field ends is quick. All that technology sure does make it fun to operate. Interested in what sort of fuel economy I'll see.

My 4815C likes fuel. It really could use a larger tank. I was not expecting it to use as much as it does and ran out of diesel the first week I had it. I thought something happened and it would have to go in for warranty work!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My 4815C likes fuel. It really could use a larger tank. I was not expecting it to use as much as it does and ran out of diesel the first week I had it. I thought something happened and it would have to go in for warranty work!

That's the issue I saw with the 15 series, the smaller tank on the 48hp units seemed ill designed. I think I'm only at like 11-12 gallons capacity

 

[ericm979]

My 3725 can use up to a gallon an hour if I'm doing something that takes significant power. Tilling probably uses even more power than chipping or running a rotary mower.

 

[Torvy]

Nice! What are you planting? My first project is going to be filling driveway ruts and prepping for gravel. It will probably be Fall before we plant anything.

I am still jealous. I wish I was tractoring instead of moving.

The fuel tank size was a + for the 574...17 gal.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Nice! What are you planting? My first project is going to be filling driveway ruts and prepping for gravel. It will probably be Fall before we plant anything.

I am still jealous. I wish I was tractoring instead of moving.

The fuel tank size was a + for the 574...17 gal.

I am planting an acre of buckwheat for forage for my apiary. Just to help supplement the nectar flow here.

Im betting on 1.2 gal per hour as she works this virgin ground. I’ll have a better idea once it’s all tilled and I fill he back up.

 

[Torvy]

Who knew bees liked Buckwheat?