Bird
Rest in Peace
Chuck, I consider the tiller to be an essential piece of equipment and right now I think what you got is probably about the best deal available.
Bird
Bird
Tiller Found a Tiller!!!!
- Thread starter Alan L.
- Start date
- Views: 6003
heehaw
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2000
- Messages
- 2,076
- Location
- russellville, arkansas
- Tractor
- Kubota M4900, B7510 and RTV
Bird, i've read some of your post about your tiller; when i bought the B6100 (85 model) last year, it had a tiller, flail mower and belly mower with it; but no manuals; what kind of maintenance is needed on the tiller, other than makin sure the gear box on top has grease/oil in it..i sure have been impressed with the results from the tiller.
heehaw
heehaw
Bird
Rest in Peace
heehaw, I'm not familiar with your particular tiller, but in addition to the gearbox on top with the gear oil in it, there should be a cover, or shield, on one end (left end on all I'm familiar with) that covers either a chain drive or gear drive. Some makes and models have gear oil in that drive assembly and some use multi-purpose grease. My Bush Hog has the chain drive and the manual says every 100 hours to
"Remove chain drive shield and clean out old grease. If chain has one link or more of slack, have an authorized Bush Hog dealer resize the chain. Pack bottom of shield with multi-purpose grease to line shown in Figure 4-1 (about the bottom one-third and it holds about 2# of grease). Reinstall shield using new gasket."
I believe it's 14 nuts and bolts around the perimeter of the shield that hold it on. After the first 2 years, during which I estimated that it had been used at least 100 hours, I did that service. And then after 3.5 more years and probably 200 hours of use or more, I decided to do it again a couple of months ago. I bought a new gasket and grease, removed the shield, looked at it - everything looked very good - and I put the shield back on without doing anything to it or changing anything./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I still have the new gasket and a couple of cans of grease and will check it again next year.
Of course, if yours has the gear oil instead of grease, then there should be a plug similar to the one on the gearbox on top to check and/or add oil.
Bird
"Remove chain drive shield and clean out old grease. If chain has one link or more of slack, have an authorized Bush Hog dealer resize the chain. Pack bottom of shield with multi-purpose grease to line shown in Figure 4-1 (about the bottom one-third and it holds about 2# of grease). Reinstall shield using new gasket."
I believe it's 14 nuts and bolts around the perimeter of the shield that hold it on. After the first 2 years, during which I estimated that it had been used at least 100 hours, I did that service. And then after 3.5 more years and probably 200 hours of use or more, I decided to do it again a couple of months ago. I bought a new gasket and grease, removed the shield, looked at it - everything looked very good - and I put the shield back on without doing anything to it or changing anything./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I still have the new gasket and a couple of cans of grease and will check it again next year.
Of course, if yours has the gear oil instead of grease, then there should be a plug similar to the one on the gearbox on top to check and/or add oil.
Bird
Opiekanopi
Member
What is the Hp on the TC 35. I have a Kubota 7500DT, It is rated at 21hp and 17PTO. The owners manual says to use a 50" tiller. I've been looking at the King Kutters too. Problem is they have to special order the 48" or 50" not sure, and it winds up costing considerably more than the larger 60" tiller. One Dealer told me that the built in plate/slip clutch would protect my tractor and he thought the 60" would be fine. I really just wish TSC would stock the next size down. My ground has some clay but not to bad, Mostly Loam. Oh and I would only be tilling about an acre a couple times in the spring and probably once in the fall.
The King Kutter quality seems to be good. I've seen them at a couple of tractor supply stores. Also my 5' finish mower is a King Kutter. I've used it one season and I am happy with it.
The King Kutter quality seems to be good. I've seen them at a couple of tractor supply stores. Also my 5' finish mower is a King Kutter. I've used it one season and I am happy with it.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Opiekanopi, in ideal conditions, your tractor might handle a 60" tiller, but I strongly suspect that you would not be happy with it; it's just too big for that tractor. The TC35 is 35hp.
Bird
Bird
Charliebrn
Platinum Member
Just picked up a Howard Rotavator 50" tiller. Looked it over quite a bit, ran it in our heavy clay and it worked great! Seems to be as well built as any others I've seen, and the price seemed pretty good at $1300. I expected a little lighter duty because of the price, but I can't see that they've cut any corners in the construction...
I'm actively hunting for a tiller for my BX too and would appreciate comments.
A local dealer carries Howards new 42" unit (HR3?) which looks *great* but carries a $1500 price tag. Woods dealer want's $1350, but has a used one for $875 (it's got enough rust on the surface and side that I think it's only a fair deal, no bargain). TSCs small tiller (presumable KingKutter) would be nice if it looks as good as it's big brother and works as well as it looks and cost the same - still for $1200. I saw some Befcos and lost interest when the dealer showed me a used one where a previous owner had tack welded a shield over the shaft where the original had rusted out.
Charliebrn - where did you get a Howard Rotovator 60" for $1300 ? If I could get a 42" unit for that price I'd be happy. I have a feeling from past experience that the local delaer's prices are on the high side.
-
A local dealer carries Howards new 42" unit (HR3?) which looks *great* but carries a $1500 price tag. Woods dealer want's $1350, but has a used one for $875 (it's got enough rust on the surface and side that I think it's only a fair deal, no bargain). TSCs small tiller (presumable KingKutter) would be nice if it looks as good as it's big brother and works as well as it looks and cost the same - still for $1200. I saw some Befcos and lost interest when the dealer showed me a used one where a previous owner had tack welded a shield over the shaft where the original had rusted out.
Charliebrn - where did you get a Howard Rotovator 60" for $1300 ? If I could get a 42" unit for that price I'd be happy. I have a feeling from past experience that the local delaer's prices are on the high side.
-
Bird
Rest in Peace
Stephen, that does sound like some high prices. If I could get $875 for my 40" Bush Hog tiller, I'd take it and go buy a bigger one, and mine ain't even rusty./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Bird
Bird
They had an auction at a JD dealer today. I couldn't go because my wife wanted to go to Canton (1st Monday trades day). Anyway I stopped by the dealer and saw what they called a "new" Befco 50" tiller. It was a faded red or orange color and even had some rust, but the tines still had paint on them so guess it had been sitting in the weather. Anyway my friend was gonna bid up to $700 for it, but I haven't found out anything yet.
I just got a "brochure" on the King Kutter II tillers. It shows them as being yellow, whereas the one TSC sells is red. It also says the 60" is for 25-30 HP. My 2710 only has 20 PTO HP, so it might be too big. It is a gear drive and does look good to me though.
If I won the Befco then that will solve my problem.
The dealer had couple of 4200s in the sale and 2 770s. I really liked the looks of the 770s - one only had 50 hours and had turf tires. Only problem is that its a gear tractor.
They also had a 6-foot Befco finish mower and it really looked more substantial than my Rhino. The Rhino has been fine and seems built well, but the Befco just looked heavier. Maybe because its a 6-foot and mine is only a a 5-foot.
I wish I could have several tractors.......
Alan L., TX
I just got a "brochure" on the King Kutter II tillers. It shows them as being yellow, whereas the one TSC sells is red. It also says the 60" is for 25-30 HP. My 2710 only has 20 PTO HP, so it might be too big. It is a gear drive and does look good to me though.
If I won the Befco then that will solve my problem.
The dealer had couple of 4200s in the sale and 2 770s. I really liked the looks of the 770s - one only had 50 hours and had turf tires. Only problem is that its a gear tractor.
They also had a 6-foot Befco finish mower and it really looked more substantial than my Rhino. The Rhino has been fine and seems built well, but the Befco just looked heavier. Maybe because its a 6-foot and mine is only a a 5-foot.
I wish I could have several tractors.......
Alan L., TX
Differences noted between King Kutter II 60" tiller and Befco T30-150 tiller (50"):
KK is gear driven in oil bath, Befco is chain driven in oil bath
KK weighs 690 pounds, Befco 370
KK has 6 tines per flange, Befco has 4
KK max depth 8", Befco 7.2"
KK has slip clutch, Befco has shear pin
Befco has kick stand, KK does not
Befco rated 15-30 HP, KK 25-40
Befco has neat telescoping offset, KK doesn't need it
I got the KK specs from the brochure they sent me. It shows a yellow tiller, but one at TSC is RED. I wonder if this is the same one for $999? The cheapest price I have seen for the Befco is $1,600 or so, but spec-wise it looks like the KK beats it.
Alan L., TX
KK is gear driven in oil bath, Befco is chain driven in oil bath
KK weighs 690 pounds, Befco 370
KK has 6 tines per flange, Befco has 4
KK max depth 8", Befco 7.2"
KK has slip clutch, Befco has shear pin
Befco has kick stand, KK does not
Befco rated 15-30 HP, KK 25-40
Befco has neat telescoping offset, KK doesn't need it
I got the KK specs from the brochure they sent me. It shows a yellow tiller, but one at TSC is RED. I wonder if this is the same one for $999? The cheapest price I have seen for the Befco is $1,600 or so, but spec-wise it looks like the KK beats it.
Alan L., TX
Regarding TSC implements, I believe that some of their stuff (blades, buckets,etc - all red) are made by a company out of Cincinnati (American 'something'). Maybe that is who makes these red tillers???
Is gear drive better than chain?
If you have any of the Quality Farm&Fleet/Farm&Country/CT Farm&Country/County Post/Country General stores, they do carry a wide line of all KingKutter stuff at good prices.
Allen, which direction from Canton do you live? I'm not to far from there...
Is gear drive better than chain?
If you have any of the Quality Farm&Fleet/Farm&Country/CT Farm&Country/County Post/Country General stores, they do carry a wide line of all KingKutter stuff at good prices.
Allen, which direction from Canton do you live? I'm not to far from there...
Bird
Rest in Peace
John, you're a lot farther from Canton than you think, since First Monday trade days is in Canton, TX./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif And I haven't gone down there myself since 1967 when they couldn't sell anything before noon on Sunday - it really started as the first Monday of each month. Now it's the biggest flea market I know of and goes all weekend as well as Monday.
Bird
Bird
Charliebrn
Platinum Member
Got the Rotavator at Industrial Equipment of Northern Ohio. They are located in Williston, OH. (Phone:419-836-5611) Also saw the same tiller at Streackers in Fremont and Findlay for about the same price, or maybe even cheaper. I really like the service at IE though and willing to pay a bit more for it.
The \"Auction\"
Well my friend showed up at the auction at the JD dealer on Saturday. He put in the highest bid on my Befco tiller ($700) and a 770 tractor and riding mower. Even even had the highest bid on another Befco tiller with a busted gearbox ($100). However the dealer pulled them all back and wouldn't sell a single item to him. The strangest thing is he bid $2100 for a mower that sells for $2800 brand new, won the bid and the dealer wouldn't sell it to him. And my friend just spent $81,000 last week on a new 7710, you'd think he would get a break.
Anyway, he said they wouldn't turn loose of but maybe a third of what was put up for "auction". That don't sound like an auction to me. Sounds like a ripoff.
Alan L., TX
Well my friend showed up at the auction at the JD dealer on Saturday. He put in the highest bid on my Befco tiller ($700) and a 770 tractor and riding mower. Even even had the highest bid on another Befco tiller with a busted gearbox ($100). However the dealer pulled them all back and wouldn't sell a single item to him. The strangest thing is he bid $2100 for a mower that sells for $2800 brand new, won the bid and the dealer wouldn't sell it to him. And my friend just spent $81,000 last week on a new 7710, you'd think he would get a break.
Anyway, he said they wouldn't turn loose of but maybe a third of what was put up for "auction". That don't sound like an auction to me. Sounds like a ripoff.
Alan L., TX
skent
Platinum Member
Re: The \"Auction\"
I agree, sounds like the seller had a high reserve. Don't seem fair. Either you want to auction it off for the highest bidder - and you take what your offered, or you just don't have an auction at all!
I agree, sounds like the seller had a high reserve. Don't seem fair. Either you want to auction it off for the highest bidder - and you take what your offered, or you just don't have an auction at all!
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
The Deere tillers painted green are made by Howard Rotavator and the yellow tillers are made by Deere (for lawn/Garden tractors). We sell 100's of tillers a year from 48 inch to 120 inches.We sell King Kutter and First Choice. First Choice is a tiller we private label it is made in Italy. Same units as Rhino. The same Italian manufacturer builds selected implements for LandPride and others. Our 60 inch unit starts at $950. Slip clutch, 6 blades per flange, quality finish and components.
Knight9
Veteran Member
Just a quick note for folks looking at tillers. I called the local dealer that carries the Howard line for a price quote. He informed me that he was not too keen on selling me a Howard at this time as they have been bought out by Kongskilde and they want to wait and see what is going to happen as far as parts availability and price. Perhaps something to keep in mind when making the purchase decision.
Is it just me or is this tractor/implement industry just one buy-out after another?! I can't keep track of who's who anymore.
Take care,
Kevin
Is it just me or is this tractor/implement industry just one buy-out after another?! I can't keep track of who's who anymore.
Take care,
Kevin
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