Tiller OK to remove dirt shield from tiller?

[hz293]

In a previous thread, I mentioned that I was given an Agric tiller. One problem with it is that the dirt shield has been backed into something and can't be raised. The ends of the shield are buckled so I can't figure out how to take it off. When I run the tiller the shield acts like a back blade and smooths the dirt thats been tilled. However, it doesn't seem to affect the tiller from doing it's work. If I tighten my top link it will tilt the tiller forward and raise the shield a bit. The other option is to cut off the shield but I don't know what the result from that will be. Any thought and info on this will be appreciated.

Harris

 

[neverenough]

Do NOT remove the back sheild. You will go from having a tiller, to a dirt spreader. Not to mention, anything within 50' of the rear of the tiller is fair game to be pelted with rocks. You have 2 options, IMO. You can keep using it the way it is, or repair/replace the shield. I bet with a cut off grinder, a hammer, and a heavy duty piano hinge, it could be repaired almost as good as new.

 

[pilonidal]

I take my shield off for initial ground breaking use or I raise it all the way up as I go in reverse with it initially to throw the rocks out so the tiller and tractor don't buck so hard. It doesn't throw them out...the rocks stay with the dirt about a foot behind the tiller. I would still try to get the shield fixed as it makes for a nice bed when going foward.

 

[whitetiger]

I would never ever run a tiller with the rear sheild removed. While breaking out some weedy ground with a 52" tiller on my Ford 1100 I hit a peice of 1 1/2 X 16 pipe that was covered by the dirt. It shot out the rear of the tiller raising the tail board all the way till it hit the gear box and flew another 75' or so just missing my pickup. When it hit the ground it still slid quite a few feet more. Stop and think about the force of the pipe coming out of the tiller. The tailboard is a pretty good sized peice of sheet metal.
What would have happened had it hit someone or the neighbors horses.

 

[LarryD]

It should be some kind "hinge pin" the length of the tail gate. At least that's what mine looks like.

Look at the hinge portion of the tail gate and see if there's not an end that would allow the pin to be removed and the tail gate to be repaired. This may take another smaller pin (shaft?) it out but you should be able to repair the assembly. I usually raise mine a couple links on a first pass tilling job but I can sure hear the rocks bounce around in the unit, I like to keep the rocks in the general area on the tiller.