Rankin Rototillers

[Buster57]

I have a Kubota B7800 + FEL with an Agric CR 50 rototiller.

My first rototiller was a FirstChoice 1066 and I loved it. Like a dope I sold it with my last tractor-and boy do I miss it! Can't get them any more...

Unfortunately I have been less then impressed by the Agric product. I just don't like it.

Has anyone used Rankin products? I am looking at a SF145 for $2250 (I am sure I can get it for a little less).

Any thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[Buster57]

Rankin is a distributor for Sicma-the people who use to make First Choice.

Is Sicma still in good financial shape? Any one have recient experience with Sicma?

Thanks!

 

[EV59]

Sicma is alive and well....supplying Deere, Kioti, Bush-Hog, BobCat, and several others...

EV59

 

[patladner]

I bought a Simca rototiller with the ability to move the tiller in different positions behind the tractor. I love it. I have used it to till about 30 acres and it worked great. However, when you get one, make sure that the drive shaft is the correct length. Mine was about an inch too long and a couple of U-joints were ruined. Another problem is the slip clutches. If you are going to be tilling in an area with limbs, roots, etc. you may smoke the clutch. I had to replace the clutches and I tightened them really good. Of course it is easier to replace the clutches rather than new gears in the tiller or the tractor PTO.

These problems are not peculiar to Simca. In fact, I have replaced the disk with the tiller. The tiller gives plenty of options for planting. If you want to completely turn a field into flour like consistency, you can do it and it is level. Or if you want to just knick the top to plant rye grass, clover, etc., you can set the depth for that operation. I have pretty much done away with the disk.