Forward tine v reverse tine tiller

[Atypical_decorum]

I can get a 104" forward tiller set to cover both my tracks.

Or

I can get an 84" reverse tine tiller set to cover one track.

Which is better? Ground is hard, shale filled, clay....On an angle.

 

[workinonit]

Do you want a forward or reverse rotating tiller? They are different animals. It's inconsequential if it covers your tracks to be honest. I never understood everyone's obsession with covering their tracks. Why do you have your tractor stance so wide? Are you running 2 row - 4 foot/row equipment with your tractor at 8'?

 

[Seven Gables]

How many acres and how steep is the hill ? Pictures? If it was me I’d pull tires in to under 84” and go with the 84 tiller.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Do you want a forward or reverse rotating tiller? They are different animals. It's inconsequential if it covers your tracks to be honest. I never understood everyone's obsession with covering their tracks. Why do you have your tractor stance so wide? Are you running 2 row - 4 foot/row equipment with your tractor at 8'?

I'm not sure what I NEED. What I want doesn't matter...

Wide because it's steep. The last owners rolled their tractor, I want to lessen that chance.

The ground is anywhere from 15 degrees to about 35 degrees.

Well, covering tracks it means I don't need to go back over that spot again. It's a time thing. Your need a deep shank to take care of the compressed ground.

 

[CaptPat]

Tractor Time with Tim (on youtube) did a side-by-side comparison of the two types of tillers. Watching that might help with your decision.

 

[workinonit]

You don't have to go back over anything. If you see your tire track that means you never tilled it in the first place so you aren't going BACK over it. Bottom line is covering tire tracks is just a preference thing not a necessity. I have a box blade that is narrower than my wheel spacing. It doesn't bother me when I use it.

 

[workinonit]

Yea, one is better for hard ground and the other is better for softer ground. Mine is forward rotation I think. It cuts plenty deep enough for me.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

How many acres and how steep is the hill ? Pictures? If it was me I’d pull tires in to under 84” and go with the 84 tiller.

Can't pull tires in. The area I'm looking to do it's about 2 acres and is the flattest spot I've got at 10 to 15 degrees. I might offset and keep that side high.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

You don't have to go back over anything. If you see your tire track that means you never tilled it in the first place so you aren't going BACK over it. Bottom line is covering tire tracks is just a preference thing not a necessity. I have a box blade that is narrower than my wheel spacing. It doesn't bother me when I use it.

Box blades don't fluff soil.

If I had a smaller tiller centered, I'd have bilateral tire tracks. I would never get the track out and that part would be compressed, slowing down root growth in that direction. So yes, it does matter. And yes it may have been tilled already, but recompressed by a successive run.

 

[Atypical_decorum]

Tractor Time with Tim (on youtube) did a side-by-side comparison of the two types of tillers. Watching that might help with your decision.

I think I may have seen it. Reverse pulls down and puts rocks forward. Forward doesn't do those things, but is also cheaper and available in a wider track.

I'd rather "have" a reverse, but I don't know that I need it. Tractor is about 9000lbs.