Plow and disc vs. Rototiller

[RichNJKubota]

I need some advice here.
Next year I'll be planting a much larger garden than I have this year. Probably around 50'x100'.
I've never used a plow or disc but my neighbor (retired farmer) is giving me both. Have not seen them but they use hydraulics (I have 2 remotes on my L4310 Kubota). Can these be used for such a small garden or is a rototiller a better choice?
Don't have a rototiller but they don't seem too expensive.

Thanks,
Rich
NJ

 

[rswyan]

The plow could be handy ..... for turning and getting down deep .... however I'd say the space is a little tight on the disc but it would probably work .... be nice to have a little more length to get 'er rolling good. We used an 6' IH double disc on a 40' x 150' garden when my parents were still alive ..... I liked using it on the larger 220' x 240' garden much more.

The plow/rototiller combo would be ideal in my opinion. I have a 60" KingKutter that I bought about a month and half ago that I'm using with my B2910 ... it works well and seems pretty heavy-duty .... would like to pick up a little 2 bottom plow or even middlebuster as well.

BTW, I believe July 1st is the last day for TSC's 6 months no interest/no payments for purchases over $300 ..... now might be the time to go for the tiller /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Slamfire]

I don't care for tillers, when the soil has been ground that fine it lacks tilth, and air. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[dknarnd]

There is some real good topsoil to be found in your area and no rocks so I would think a tiller would work very well. But a free disc and plow is not a bad thing either being it is free. Just cost you more time and storage space but you do have to consider their size for such a small garden. Can you turn the disc efficently in the 50'?

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

For a LONG LONG time, the plow/disc combo was about all folks would ever use on a garden. It worked fine.

I have a tiller now myself.... Wouldn't trade it for a dozen disc's...

Back in my youth, I'd take dads old Ford tractor, a plow, and a 3-point disc out and plow gardens for $$$$$. I did THOUSANDS of gardens, smaller than yours. Worked like a charm.

A wheel disc (as it sounds like you'll be recieving) would give you fits in a small garden situation. They're not as "mobile" as a 3-point version.

All things being equal, if you can justify the expense, a tiller is a tough act to beat.

Finally, I like to plow, THEN till a garden. You get the best of all worlds then.

Oh yeah, I do agree to some extent that tillers tend to OVERWORK soil. (Or at least the tiller OPERATOR) Soil doesn't need, nor do the plant in that soil in most cases, to be turned into talcum powder. (Soil moisture when working with a tiller is VERY critical to it's final outcome. too dry = too fine/too wet = clods and mud-balls)

One last thing....NEVER turn down FREE equipment!

 

[Egon]

<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre> .NEVER turn down FREE equipment! </pre><hr />

Very prudent advice. Work out the rest later.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue"> Can these be used for such a small garden or is a rototiller a better choice? </font>

If you think you have bigger projects in the future, I would keep them plow and disc, If not, I would sell them and put the money received on a new tiller.--The tiller also has the added advantage of letting you go out on your chosen day and prepare the seedbed and plant the garden the same day. In my experience, the plow/disc combo tends to take 2-3 weeks to work with mother nature to prepare a good seedbed (Plow-wait for a rain then disc and seal off the seedbed -wait for a rain then double disc again to be ready to plant)--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Used Pasture Renovators/Foodplot seeders in Stock Today*

 

[DMF]

I use a single bottom plow (borrowed) and a small drag disc (about 5’) to prepare our pumpkin patch each year. It isn’t very big, about 100’ x 80’ and I don’t have too many issues turning it around. With the stones I have, I’m afraid I’d be unclogging/replacing shear bolts on the tiller every few feet.

Also, it is really cool and a lot of fun to turn over ground with a plow! I’d have to say it is one of my favorite “chores” that I do with my tractor.

 

[newtothis]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( it is really cool and a lot of fun to turn over ground with a plow! )</font> <font color="blue"> </font>

Haven't had the occassion to use a tiller yet but I can't disagree with the above. Kinda cool turning dirt the old fashioned way. In a few years I might change that position and long for a tiller as some of my more 'seasoned' friends have.

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't care for tillers, when the soil has been ground that fine it lacks tilth, and air. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )</font>

When you till, you need a lot of oganics and/or coarse sand in the soil. Otherwise, you are making a primitive type of concrete.