Forward VS Reverse rotry tillers....

[madhatter]

Hi,

I am buying a new Landpride tiller in the next day or so. I have the option of the 50" forward or 50" reverse tiller. I will be tilling garden and some sod but mostly areas that have been cleared of brush, so there will be some small roots etc... Which tiller should I go with ? The Landpride RTR05 reverse tiller is 285Lbs and the RTA50 forward tiller is 385Lbs. So is the forward tiller better built... being that it is heavier ???

Any advice would be great.

 

[loulblades]

I couldn't say what makes one heavier than the other but I can say which I would prefer. Mine is forward rotating which to me makes more sense for the following:

- A forward rotating pushes the tractor along taking some load off the engine. Sure you may have to fight it some but imo your engine doesn't get taxed as much.

- I would think a reverse rotating tiller would throw any rocks or other solid items forward to be hit again and again and... until you got off to retrieve them. I have churned up some pretty good size rocks and roots (my property was a nursery in a previous life), the jolt from hitting them once was enough.

Also imho, the heavier the better.

 

[JohnSinVA]

Here's the URL of a prior thread discussion this topic:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/118121-tiller-direction.html

 

[madhatter]

I couldn't say what makes one heavier than the other but I can say which I would prefer. Mine is forward rotating which to me makes more sense for the following:

- A forward rotating pushes the tractor along taking some load off the engine. Sure you may have to fight it some but imo your engine doesn't get taxed as much.

- I would think a reverse rotating tiller would throw any rocks or other solid items forward to be hit again and again and... until you got off to retrieve them. I have churned up some pretty good size rocks and roots (my property was a nursery in a previous life), the jolt from hitting them once was enough.

Also imho, the heavier the better.

That is kinda what I am afraid of. If it picks up some roots or larger rocks, they might get jammed in the tiller. I have also heard that for a garden, the soil ends of TOO fine, but it would work great for tilling sod. Tough call.....

 

[madhatter]

Just talked to my dealer, he said with these tillers, the roots and rocks will actually clear BETTER than a forward tine tiller. Not sure the reasoning, but he says although you have to travel a little slower, it does a way better job... does anyone have one of these that can back this all up ? It is a Landpride RTR05

 

[Reg]

I have a forward rotating tiller.
My guess is that backward rotating could get itself into REAL trouble as the tines hook under roots. I'd rather roll over them and come back, even SEVERAL TIMES if I had to.
I've tilled up some 35 or so year old sod with mine in a single pass.
In the lowest couple of gears it tends to push the tractor, no problem.

6 ft KK II, but that wasn't the one being asked about.
Might be worth a look though - HEFTY tiller, around 650 lbs IIRC.

 

[1972SprintConvertible]

I have a Craftsman dual rotating rear tine tiller 17" and I have a 3 point Bush Hog 48" and the Craftsman says the counter rotating is for tilling hard or Rockey soil, virgin ground or sod and the forward rotating is to cultivate, and tilling soft ground or pre-tilled soil. With the rear flap up on the Bush Hog I can back it up to be a counter rotating tiller but if you take your time and have the flap down you can turn the roughest soil into sand like soil no problems.

 

[madhatter]

Bought a LandPride RTA1050. $1700.00 which is a good price in Canada. I think the forward tilling is more suitable for my conditions of roots and a few rocks.... we will see. Thanks to all who gave advice !

 

[madhatter]

Just to let everone know, I received my tiller ( although it came Kabota orange, oh well, matches the Massey forward/reverse handles which are orange lol ... and the dealer gave me 200 bucks off ! )

anyway.... my fears are settled, the tiller is very tough and strong. Tilled a patch that I removed trees from, kept the tiller sheild high, and it either spit out the root or just chewed it up. Rocks are the same, it just spit is out the back, can't imagine if it was a reverse tine. I know the reverse tine has it's place, but in my yard, normal tine tilling is the best. On another note, the Landpride 1050 seems very strong, I requested a shear bolt as I think a slip clutch does work, BUT has to be maintained or it can take out our tractor or tiller, a bolt will always break and is minor to replace. Although, for what have have tilled thus far, I have yet to break the bolt.

The only drawback I had, was the pto shaft, I had to cut it ( 6 inches total ! ) and taking off the shield and putting it back on is very confusing and a pain. But over all VERY happy with the tiller and the job it does ! So to all that have fears of a reverse tine with roots/rocks, go with a forward tiller. If you HAVE to reverse till, take it easy and go in reverse seems to do the same job.