looking to buy a 3 pt tiller

tbergman · Dec 17, 2021

I have a 30 hp kubota and a 47 hp branson. I will probably keep just one, but haven't yet decided. We just moved to the country where I have broken up a 4000 sq ft garden spot with a cultivator, and am getting a tiller. I am leaning toward a 5' king kutter which says 30-50hp, so it should work on either tractor. I figure I will use it twice a year; once in the fall to work in manure and compost to prep for cover crop over winter, then again to prep for sowing in the spring, working in the cover crop.

Any suggestions for that size tiller would be appreciated?

sweettractors · Dec 17, 2021

tbergman said:
I have a 30 hp kubota and a 47 hp branson. I will probably keep just one, but haven't yet decided. We just moved to the country where I have broken up a 4000 sq ft garden spot with a cultivator, and am getting a tiller. I am leaning toward a 5' king kutter which says 30-50hp, so it should work on either tractor. I figure I will use it twice a year; once in the fall to work in manure and compost to prep for cover crop over winter, then again to prep for sowing in the spring, working in the cover crop.

Any suggestions for that size tiller would be appreciated?

5 Ft would be a Good fit for the Kubota and maybe a little small for the Branson. Ken Sweet

Fxfymn413 · Dec 17, 2021

I used a 6 foot on my 3430 and it was fine. The most important thing is to make sure the tiller is at least as wide as the rear wheels or you will always have a track left in the previously tilled row.

tbergman · Dec 17, 2021

Excellent point! Thank you. I will check those dims. Another brand, Woodmaxx is offset 10 inches to one side, I expect so that you can get right up to a fence, which I liked, but that one was a six footer and more than double the price of the King Kutter...

jyoutz · Dec 17, 2021

tbergman said:
I have a 30 hp kubota and a 47 hp branson. I will probably keep just one, but haven't yet decided. We just moved to the country where I have broken up a 4000 sq ft garden spot with a cultivator, and am getting a tiller. I am leaning toward a 5' king kutter which says 30-50hp, so it should work on either tractor. I figure I will use it twice a year; once in the fall to work in manure and compost to prep for cover crop over winter, then again to prep for sowing in the spring, working in the cover crop.

Any suggestions for that size tiller would be appreciated?

Get one wide enough to overlap your wheels by about 4” on each side.

ruffdog · Dec 17, 2021

Once I sold the NH and bought the Toolcat, my 5' KK tiller is now 6"+ narrower than the track. I just offset the tiller using the 3pt stabilizers so it covers one tire track. Then, the final pass has no tracks because the tires are in the grass.

5030 · Dec 17, 2021

tbergman said:
Excellent point! Thank you. I will check those dims. Another brand, Woodmaxx is offset 10 inches to one side, I expect so that you can get right up to a fence, which I liked, but that one was a six footer and more than double the price of the King Kutter...

Like with most everything else, you always get what you pay for. Think I'd peruse Tractor House for a used one.

Fxfymn413 · Dec 17, 2021

You have the advantage of not needing it right now so just be patient and something will turn up. I use apps like "Search Tempest" to search all of CL when I'm on the hunt for something. Sometimes I find it a few hours away, but if the price is right my time is worth it.

Mine is also a KK and it has held up well. I just use it for my personal garden and to help out a couple of neighbors so it really doesn't get much wear.

tbergman · Dec 17, 2021

ruffdog said:
Once I sold the NH and bought the Toolcat, my 5' KK tiller is now 6"+ narrower than the track. I just offset the tiller using the 3pt stabilizers so it covers one tire track. Then, the final pass has no tracks because the tires are in the grass.

View attachment 725355

Clever! Will keep that in mind.

tbergman · Dec 17, 2021

Fxfymn413 said:
You have the advantage of not needing it right now so just be patient and something will turn up. I use apps like "Search Tempest" to search all of CL when I'm on the hunt for something. Sometimes I find it a few hours away, but if the price is right my time is worth it.

Mine is also a KK and it has held up well. I just use it for my personal garden and to help out a couple of neighbors so it really doesn't get much wear.

Good to know. The brand looks solid and they are well priced. Thank you for the feedback.

tbergman · Dec 17, 2021

Fxfymn413 said:
You have the advantage of not needing it right now so just be patient and something will turn up. I use apps like "Search Tempest" to search all of CL when I'm on the hunt for something. Sometimes I find it a few hours away, but if the price is right my time is worth it.

Mine is also a KK and it has held up well. I just use it for my personal garden and to help out a couple of neighbors so it really doesn't get much wear.

Never heard of search tempest, but just tried it and it looks great! found a JD tiller I may go look at, not far away. $600 for a 6' tiller, needing a little work. Would save a grand if it is as he says...
Thank you.

pokey1416 · Dec 17, 2021

I purchased a Dirt Dog from GWT Dirt Dog Rotary Tiller - Good Works Tractors

Seems to be very well built. I got the 6’ model. It’s a beast and GWT ships all over.

Diggin It · Dec 17, 2021

I'm not sure if KK manufacturers their own or not, but there are some manufacturers you might not normally hear about since they make implements for others. Mine is a Taylor Pittsburgh that is painted blue and has the LS logo.

CH4Ohio · Dec 17, 2021

I've had a 5' KK behind a 30 HP B Kubota for 17 years now. It's done a LOT of tilling and I couldn't be happier with it. Zero problems. Hard to believe how well it works.

wirlybird · Dec 17, 2021

I run a 4 foot Tar River tiller behind my JD X585 (18 HP PTO I think) and it works well. It is a bit lighter than others of this size though.
The brand seems well built.

mike0000 · Dec 17, 2021

I ordered the Rural King by KK 60” tiller for my Kubota L3901.
I ordered it 10-8-21 free shipping to store, it’s expected deliver date is by 1-28-22. The current price is $350 more than my ordered price (my RK Harvest card has not been charged yet). If you’re buying new, you may want to go ahead and order it in hopes of it arriving by spring.

Mike

ctgoldwing · Dec 17, 2021

I don't have a lot of experience with tillers but I went with a 66" Sicma / Phoenix Tiller
It has the reverse rotation and did a superb job tilling a new 1/2 acre lawn for me. Seems to be built like a tank.

ning · Dec 17, 2021

Buy big enough to cover and really heavy duty, you won't regret it and just don't buy avocado toast for the next year if you strain the budget

The 30hp may require you to go a bit slower, but it'll handle it.

I found this monster at auction for $1k and I'm just amazed at how quickly my tractor (Branson 3520h - "29hp PTO" claimed) tears up untouched rocky ground, despite my hp likely being on the lower end of the recommended range (or even below it - the tiller is over 80" across and had 9 sets of tines).

3Ts · Dec 18, 2021

I have the KK 5' tiller and run it behind my 20hp Kubota. Tractor is a little small for it, but it works fine. I originally bought it when I had sand for a yard. I now have rocks, gravel, and clay. It still works on that but really gives my tractor a workout. I use 1st gear and 4wd to till the hard stuff.