poorboy
Silver Member
Who makes a pretty good garden tiller? If you were buying what features would you look for? Not a huge garden but about 40 x100.
Patrick
Patrick
Garden Tiller
- Thread starter poorboy
- Start date
- Views: 7797
Bird
Rest in Peace
What kind of tiller are you talking about? One for a 3-point hitch and PTO powered by a tractor? If so, what tractor? A pull behind for a "garden tractor" or "lawn tractor"? A walk behind? If so, front or rear tine? If rear tine, forward or counterrotating?
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Rear tine is a lot easier to use, and seems to work better. If you are going to use it to break ground with get a big one 8 HP or better. At one time I would have recommended Troy Built, but they are not what they used to be. Ok I guess but nothing like the tanks they used to be.
I won't be using it to break ground with because I have to justify owning a plow and disc since we have almost gone out of the tabacco business. What is the postitive and negative aspects of the rotation of the blades? I had thought about the troybilt but were sold out at the local lowes. Which I was glad about but hard to find some locally to repair anything anyhow?
Patrick
Patrick
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
I have one of the old troybilt 8 h.p. horse models and its been a good one,but troy bilt I heard went under a couple years ago and was bought out by who I'm not sure.I just got a brochure in the mail this week from troybilt,or whoever owns them now,and they still make the horse and a10 h.p. one as well,along with other models,they look like mine,but they have a briggs and stratton engine,mine has a kohler,which doesn't really mean much,kohlers blow up to.The bigger ones are expensive,www.troybilt.com.There used to be another one that was very good also,it was blue,hadinitals for a name,can't think of it,I believe it was made in italy or some such place,they sold them ,I know as late as 5,6 ,years ago,maybe somebody can help there,but they are expensive to,if you could find a used older 8 h.p. troy bilt,I'm pretty sure you can still get parts for them off the new troybilt,that would be a good thing,if it was running I mean. RICHARD GAUTHIER
jyoutz
Super Star Member
What I have is a 3ph tiller for my tractor for ground prep and a little 10" wide 2-cycle motor tiller for cultivating. This makes a great combo.
hogboy
Member
I also have a 8HP Troybilt. Since MTD bought them (IMHO) they have gone down hill. Parts were very hard to get last year and mine waited in the shop for several months. The "blue" tiller reference is for BCS which I believe is made in Italy (?). I haven't had the opportunity to use one, however, hear they are an excellent machine. You buy the power head and they can take several additional attachments. Anything half way decent today is a little salty on price, however, you only get what you pay for. In the next year or 2 I hope to sell my Troybilt and give the BCS a shot. My garden plot is only about 30ft x 60ft. The 8HP is a little overkill, however having a little more HP and weight makes a big difference in a walk-behind unit. The model I had for about 15 yrs prior to that was the Troy-bilt 5HP Pony. Again, an excellent machine in its time, and there were plenty of places to get them serviced back then as they had independent dealers.
gobbler
Silver Member
My old neighbor in Ohio had a BCS tiller. He had a couple of attachments for it. I always thought it was a slick machine. Built like a tank.
BCS Web Page
BCS Web Page
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 66,113
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I have a 5HP Weedeater rear tine tiller. Small, but works great. It can really bust up the sod if you're breaking new ground. I did our 20 x 40 garden last night(existing garden, not sod). It took about a half hour. It was only $399.00 a few years ago.
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Not on this site,I mean about the over kill part you said, there are many people on here you trully believe you need a tractor and a tiller for a garden spot that size,look on garden by net in the gardening section I believe,we taked about that a couple of weeks ago. RICHARD GAUTHIER
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Of course I MEANT country by net,under gardening. RICHARD GAUTHIER
Bird
Rest in Peace
Patrick, I've used both front and rear tine tillers, and the front tine is much cheaper and not bad if you know how to use it; but if not, it'll beat you to death. The rear tine is definitely easier and I much prefer them, but of course you'll pay more for them. As others have said, Troybilt was kind of an industry standard, but since they sold out, I'm not too sure. I see some recommend at least an 8hp motor, and that's OK, but I think it depends on how wide a tiller you get. I've used a couple of 5hp tillers, including a really cheap one last year that my brother had bought at TSC and no way I could bog down the engine. And the last one I owned was a Craftsman counterrotating 5hp rear tine, 17" wide, and couldn't have asked for anything better. I only sold it to a friend after I bought the tractor powered tiller.
Chadtoolio
Member
The troy-bilt tractor is definetly not like they used to be...Transmissions used to be cast, new ones are Stamped steel. The newer motors are better though. I got an old Ariens Rocket rear tine tiller with a 7hp Tecumseh cast iron motor. It weighs 300+ lbs. I have had to put some money in it, but since I got the tiller for free.... If I fix the carb, it would purr /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif .
I do agree with most, rear tine is the way to go.
Chad
I do agree with most, rear tine is the way to go.
Chad
I have a BCS 16 HP tiller that I have used for over 15 years with very little problems.
They are quality machines that have a lot of great features: all gear drive four-speed transmissions like tractors, standard clutch, no belts, wheel brakes, locking differential, reverse which disengages the PTO, ability to run a variety of implements like tiller, chipper, mowers snow blowers etc.
I use it for chipping branches and tilling mostly, and it has served me very well over the years.
I would recommend a BCS without reservation. I feel that they are the best tillers made.
Thanks,
Cameron
They are quality machines that have a lot of great features: all gear drive four-speed transmissions like tractors, standard clutch, no belts, wheel brakes, locking differential, reverse which disengages the PTO, ability to run a variety of implements like tiller, chipper, mowers snow blowers etc.
I use it for chipping branches and tilling mostly, and it has served me very well over the years.
I would recommend a BCS without reservation. I feel that they are the best tillers made.
Thanks,
Cameron
Attachments
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Patrick
BCS !! BCS !! BCS !!
Yes, I'm prejudice, but with their track record and versatility and durability it's hard not to be. Check their web site www.bcs-america.com
I own an 850 (12hp) with most attachments and am very impressed. I've been around equipment like this my whole life and like anyone I like owning good equipment. My only real complaint with BCS is I wish they offered even more attachments than they do. (eg. leave blower, log splitter, etc)
Richard
BCS !! BCS !! BCS !!
Yes, I'm prejudice, but with their track record and versatility and durability it's hard not to be. Check their web site www.bcs-america.com
I own an 850 (12hp) with most attachments and am very impressed. I've been around equipment like this my whole life and like anyone I like owning good equipment. My only real complaint with BCS is I wish they offered even more attachments than they do. (eg. leave blower, log splitter, etc)
Richard
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Patrick
Forgot
For breaking new ground the Berta rotary plow that attaches to the BCS tractor is absolutely awesome! It's also great for making rasies beds. Talk to Joel at www.bcssmallfarmequip.com you'll find his phone # on this site
Richard
Forgot
For breaking new ground the Berta rotary plow that attaches to the BCS tractor is absolutely awesome! It's also great for making rasies beds. Talk to Joel at www.bcssmallfarmequip.com you'll find his phone # on this site
Richard
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
The above post should say "raised beds".
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
poorboy,
I've got a barely used (under 10 hrs.) Troybilt Pony (5 hp Briggs) for sale. I bought it in '99 to replace an Airens 3 hp front tine that still runs and will keep for cultivating. MTD bought out Troybilt as mentioned before, and the new units are a lot lighter duty (though I don't know if they've cheaped out the horse models).
When I got my bx, I went for a 3ph tiller so the troybilt is just sitting around getting dusty.
DaveL
I've got a barely used (under 10 hrs.) Troybilt Pony (5 hp Briggs) for sale. I bought it in '99 to replace an Airens 3 hp front tine that still runs and will keep for cultivating. MTD bought out Troybilt as mentioned before, and the new units are a lot lighter duty (though I don't know if they've cheaped out the horse models).
When I got my bx, I went for a 3ph tiller so the troybilt is just sitting around getting dusty.
DaveL
fractal
Gold Member
The way I see things, tillers come in 5 sizes.
You start off with the mantis / ryobi cultivator. The sales literature says you can break ground with it. I seriously doubt it. I bought the cultivator attachment on a whim and tried to cultivate my "well tilled" garden. What a joke.
One BIG step up are the front tine tillers. These are very popular with homeowners. They will do a decent job at breaking ground if you are persistent. They have a tendency to "bounce" when they hit hard ground so you are basically hanging on for dear life while it bounces around trying to break into the ground. It works, but can be a rough ride. I still own one as it is much easier to heft into raised beds than a bigger unit.
The next step up would be a rear tine tiller. These have wheels in the front, then the tines, then the handles. These too bounch, but you get to use your weight to hold them down. Not sure if that makes them easier on your back or harder.
I personally separate the walk behind tractors from the rear tine tillers. BCS is one of the walk behind tractors. I suppose the only difference between a rear tine tiller and a walk behind tractor is that you change the attachments. They make snow blowers, spaders, plows, mowers, ... for walk behind tractors.
Finally, there are PTO powered 3pt tillers.
I bought a 5hp MTD brand tiller about ten years ago. I used it to maintain a modest garden at the old house and to prepare both the front and rear yard for new lawn at the old house. It worked fine. It was a lot less effort than digging with a shovel even though it was a bit rough on the body.
We moved a couple of years ago and I decided to bring back the garden the former owners had established. I dug out the 5hp front tine tiller and started working on it. Two full days later I was done. The next year I tried the same technique hoping that my work the previous year would make things easier. I bounced all over the garden tearing it up some, but never got a real deep dig. The ground was just too hard and I was not going to spend 2 full days at it again. I went down to the rent-a-yard and rented a 10 hp rear tine tiller. I got it for half a day. I returned it 20 minutes late with a late fee and crawled home and to bed. It was just plain mean. I did not get a deep dig with it either. Every time the blades engaged it lept forward pulling all 225 pounds of me with it. Playing with the depth setting did not help much. I went back to the front tine tiller and just dug "holes" for the tomatoes that year with it.
Finally, when buying the kubota, I made a tiller a primary item on the "must have" list. Lemme tell you, it is a night vs day difference. I get to sit on the tractor and feather the hydro petal and the machine does the work. The only "bad" aspects of using a 3pt hitch tiller are that you can not get very close to the edges. The initial dig tosses a mound of dirt where you start and you have a ditch where you stop. There may be technique issues going on, but lemme tell you... I can feel the tiller try to push the 1500 pound tractor when it hits hard dirt. I am one happy camper that the machine is taking the beating instead of me.
So, I guess it depends a lot on what type of soil you have as well as what you have going on around the garden. It makes a big difference whether you have room to manuver outside the garden or not. If I did not have the kubota I would probably seriously consider one of the walk behind tractor units. The availibility of a brush cutter, a finish mower, a snow blower, a cart, a chipper as well as a tiller make them interesting machines, especially if you opt for the 10-12 hp model.
You start off with the mantis / ryobi cultivator. The sales literature says you can break ground with it. I seriously doubt it. I bought the cultivator attachment on a whim and tried to cultivate my "well tilled" garden. What a joke.
One BIG step up are the front tine tillers. These are very popular with homeowners. They will do a decent job at breaking ground if you are persistent. They have a tendency to "bounce" when they hit hard ground so you are basically hanging on for dear life while it bounces around trying to break into the ground. It works, but can be a rough ride. I still own one as it is much easier to heft into raised beds than a bigger unit.
The next step up would be a rear tine tiller. These have wheels in the front, then the tines, then the handles. These too bounch, but you get to use your weight to hold them down. Not sure if that makes them easier on your back or harder.
I personally separate the walk behind tractors from the rear tine tillers. BCS is one of the walk behind tractors. I suppose the only difference between a rear tine tiller and a walk behind tractor is that you change the attachments. They make snow blowers, spaders, plows, mowers, ... for walk behind tractors.
Finally, there are PTO powered 3pt tillers.
I bought a 5hp MTD brand tiller about ten years ago. I used it to maintain a modest garden at the old house and to prepare both the front and rear yard for new lawn at the old house. It worked fine. It was a lot less effort than digging with a shovel even though it was a bit rough on the body.
We moved a couple of years ago and I decided to bring back the garden the former owners had established. I dug out the 5hp front tine tiller and started working on it. Two full days later I was done. The next year I tried the same technique hoping that my work the previous year would make things easier. I bounced all over the garden tearing it up some, but never got a real deep dig. The ground was just too hard and I was not going to spend 2 full days at it again. I went down to the rent-a-yard and rented a 10 hp rear tine tiller. I got it for half a day. I returned it 20 minutes late with a late fee and crawled home and to bed. It was just plain mean. I did not get a deep dig with it either. Every time the blades engaged it lept forward pulling all 225 pounds of me with it. Playing with the depth setting did not help much. I went back to the front tine tiller and just dug "holes" for the tomatoes that year with it.
Finally, when buying the kubota, I made a tiller a primary item on the "must have" list. Lemme tell you, it is a night vs day difference. I get to sit on the tractor and feather the hydro petal and the machine does the work. The only "bad" aspects of using a 3pt hitch tiller are that you can not get very close to the edges. The initial dig tosses a mound of dirt where you start and you have a ditch where you stop. There may be technique issues going on, but lemme tell you... I can feel the tiller try to push the 1500 pound tractor when it hits hard dirt. I am one happy camper that the machine is taking the beating instead of me.
So, I guess it depends a lot on what type of soil you have as well as what you have going on around the garden. It makes a big difference whether you have room to manuver outside the garden or not. If I did not have the kubota I would probably seriously consider one of the walk behind tractor units. The availibility of a brush cutter, a finish mower, a snow blower, a cart, a chipper as well as a tiller make them interesting machines, especially if you opt for the 10-12 hp model.
