Tiller Need a Tiller recommendation

[kacook3]

I'm developing an organic market garden...over the next 3 years will have 2-3 acres under intense cultivation...vegetables, cut flowers, berries. I need a good 4-5 foot tiller and/or spader...but money IS an object. A spader would be preferable but is likely too expensive.

I've read that a tiller with a 4-speed gearbox is good so you can adjust speed for tilling deep/shallow. I've also read that a rear cage roller is good for precision depth control. How important are these features? What makes/models of tillers and/or spaders should I look at? Thanks.

 

[HayDR]

Tillers are available with culti-packers attached to the tiller as shown. Many of the posters on TBN use a tiller less than 10 hours a year. They just do not expect to use their tillers every day for 6 months like a landscaper, nursery or commercial farmer would do. You will be making a choice on a commercial grade tiller if you want it to last. Usually commercial grade tillers are gear driven. Multi speed transmissions are usually available only in a manufacturers premium tillers. Multi-speed transmissions are often needed for matching a tiller to different tractors that would have a different ground speeds due to the tractors' gearing. Also if you have different types of soil a multi-speed transmission is nice to have. If your tractor(s) have HST then the multi-speed transmission may not be changing speeds very often because you can vary the tractor's ground speed to yield your desired result.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

My father bought a oward Rotovator back in the mid 60's. We finally just wore it out. In 1995, I replaced it with a new 80" model Howard. It's one fine machine. We have cut down somewhat, but still do around 4 acres of "family garden", plus I use it on a few landscape jobs every year. I would highly recommend their products. BUT.... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You said money IS an object. (Sort of an abstract object sometimes /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

2 years ago, I bought a King Kutter 6' tiller at an estate sale. It was just about new. The paint wasn't much more than marked up on the tines. I was told that it tilled one small garden.

About 2 months later, I still hadn't sold it. (I bought it with the intent of re-sale for profit) It was late in the summer. I figured on sitting on it until the following spring. I took a landscape job that was going to require tilling a couple acres that were littered with old junk car parts. I didn't want to destroy the Howard Rotovator, and I didn't have much wrapped up in the King Kutter tiller, so I figured "what the heck!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It performed flawlessly. I hit several BIG rocks, a bunch of old engine parts. (VW cylinders mostly) and a bunch of tree roots. It was on the back of a 60 HP tractor, so it wasn't being babied /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Point being..... If you want a "lower end" tiller like the King Kutter, and you're only doing a few acres of GOOD soil, I see no need to break the bank to get a high dollar tiller. If you can afford one, so much the better. But the King Kutter tiller is, in my opinion, the best product they make. (I'm not at all a fan of their mowers /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif)

The most important issue with a tiller is having a tractor that will go SLOW enough to handle one, as well as having enough weight to NOT be shoved around by the tiller.

Also, after 40 odd years of being around them, I can't over emphasise the fact that SOIL MOISTURE is extremely important in how a tiller works. Too wet and you have mud balls. Too dry and you have talcum powder.

(Another "trick"; on all of our garden ground, we plow first, with a moldboard plow, then till it a few days later. Our soil needs to be turned over every year.)

Good luck! and happy gardening /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sweettractors]

What HP tractor do you have?--Ken Sweet, Co-Owner, Sweet Farm Equipment LLC

 

[kacook3]

I'm looking at buying a tractor in the 25-35 hp range (engine)--either a good used one with a fel or possibly a new one but not a top dollar kubota or new holland. I recently looked at a new tractor by "Johnson" with 37hp/30pto, 4wd for $8900...seems like a good deal but it's brand new to the US although I understand it's popular in Europe...made in China for the North American market but not a gray market tractor. Anyone know much about these tractors? Otherwise, I'll just try to find a good used but affordable one that will handle a 4 or 5 ft tiller on rather clay soil.

 

[DUMBDOG]

I will second the King Kutter as being a good tiller. Have a five foot model, three years ago started with a 5000 sq ft garden, two years ago it went to an acre, then last year tilled up 40 acres with it. Not a problem at all other than the fact it was a little small for the 40. Have also done a couple of neighbors yards and gardens.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm looking at buying a tractor in the 25-35 hp range (engine)--either a good used one with a fel or possibly a new one but not a top dollar kubota or new holland. )</font>
kacook3, Welcome to TBN. You'd do better, and hot hijack this particular thread if you go to the general buying forum and post your question there, if you want to hear about different brands. If you only want to ask about the Johnson chinese model, then post in the chinese buying/pricing forum to get better coverage for your question.
Not a problem that you asked here, but it's considered a little rude to post this kind of question when the topic is buying a tiller. I hope you find all the answers you need here and keep coming back often. John

 

[sweettractors]

We have a nice Used 35 HP Kubota with 4WD and Kubota Loader for $10.995. It is 1 owner with 1200 hours on it and we use it daily to load and unload with.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *2 Stores in Central Ky to Serve our Customers*

 

[kensfarm]

I think you missed reading the first couple of posts.

 

[kacook3]

Sorry about the breach of etiquette. I'll try to keep my questions in the correct forum. I truely desire rec's for a good tiller and have posted my tractor question in the correct forum. In addition, if someone wants to sell me something just send me a private email...I'm sure this isn't the appropriate place to post an ad...I am mainly looking for advice and will probably buy locally.