Tiller Reverse Till Tiller...What do you think?

[ModMech]

I was in your shoes earlier this year, literally....

We had a ~40" Kubota 850 model forward rotation tiller that would not cover the tire track on either side, let alone both sides and wanted something "better". It was my wife's request for this season.

I read up on TBN, did my in-person shopping and after using two forward rotation tillers and our new LP RTR 1558 I have a clear preference for the RTR models. Not only did this model do a better job of tilling (tine count and number of rows played a big role) than the others but it was a pleasure to operate. It's well-built, HEAVY (needed front weights w/o a FEL) and wide enough to cover both rear tires with room to spare.

The major difference in operation is that a RTR tries to hold the tractor back somewhat, while a forward tiller tries to push the tractor ahead some. When the tiller is trying to push you, it can be difficult to control ground speed well enough to get a good till. I was forever nursing the tractor forward, then braking gently, then forward again in a vain attempt to not be pushed down the rows. The RTR is completely different, all I need to do is adjust the HST pedal for more or less power to the wheels as conditions change - never need the brake or to let off completely.

A bed that is already prepared, or with lighter soils would respond perfectly well to either but if you have clay or hard-pan soil as we do, the RTR models are a big advantage in terms of control. I also noticed that the RTR accomplished in two passes what the other forward models needed 3 or 4 passes to incorporate.

Our RTR 1558 was about $2100 out the door before our trade, for comparison sake.

BTW, the original request from my wife was for "my own tiller, a nice big walk-behind, like those DRs I see." I got the 5' LP reverse rotation, PTO driven beast for less than 1/2 of what a 36" rear-tine walk-behind would have cost, as her Valantine's present

 

[Happyman]

I run a Woods 72" Reverse Rotation tiller (GTR72) and love it. Slip clutch used when a rock lodged in the tines.
One pass and I'm done. I also like the fact that it holds the tractor back a bit. I just drop the L3940 in low range, run it up to 540 pto, and push the cruise control lever a bit forward and away I go :thumbsup:

 

[Car Doc]

I was in the same predicament this year I wanted a tractor tiller and really thought a reverse rotation was what I needed. I did a bunch of research based on my experience with walk behinds so I kind of know what you are thinking.

I bought a KK2 last month and am real satisfied so far, the reverse tillers are a lot more money and I couldn't convince myself they would do so much better job for what I planned on doing which is gardening.

I could see a landscape guy needing as smooth a lawn as possible etc and maybe a reverse would cut up new ground easier but honestly I believe the difference would be negligible from what I see my KK2 does I can always make another pass or 2 if necessary. jmho

Steve

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I could see a landscape guy needing as smooth a lawn as possible etc and maybe a reverse would cut up new ground easier but honestly I believe the difference would be negligible from what I see my KK2 does I can always make another pass or 2 if necessary. jmho

Well...the correct job for THAT job would be a power rake. I've used my tiller before and the Power rake is 300x better.

I think the common thread here is "if a Reverse rotation machine wasnt so much money, we would all prefer one"....

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

As always on TBN, a lot of good feedback and information here. Since I haven't even priced them yet, can someone give me a gereral idea as to approximately how much of a premium one would expect to pay for a reverse vs. comparable forward action tiller? Money is always an important consideration for me.

 

[Reg]

Reverse rotation is FINE until you hook it under a root; then the tiller, tractor and YOU just STOP !
Forward rotation climbs over most of the stuff it can't chew through, it also tends to help push the tractor along a bit, whereas the reverse hangs the tractor back as it hits hard spots - uncomfortable at best.
I use my KK on the 1,000 RPM output shaft with the engine revs at about 50% of where 540 would be.
In my lowest gear the tip speed is faster than the tractor's tire speed, so I get push.
This works well enough on 30 year old lawn - Ooops, sorry about the "lawn", I thought it was just a dirt back yard.

 

[Kamik]

Rocks here, so I make 1-2 preliminary passes with a tooth as it breaks up the soil and also let's me find potential show-stoppers - it's amazing what comes up out of the soil each year - and then I use my forward-rotation rototiller to finish.

 

[countrybumpkin]

anyone have any input about a Howse, I am looking at a 70" gear driven that is switchable from forward to reverse rotation. Sales man said something about changable but untill now i had not given it much thought.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have used both forward and reverse tillers and presently have a Howard and a Deere 673 both forward rotation. Where I live there are always rocks and boulders to deal with along with the occasional hidden stump. The forward tine tillers will climb over these without any damage so far. The other thing I like about the forward tine tiller is you can get in a field earlier that is too wet for disking or reverse tilling without getting stuck.

If conditions are good the reverse tine tiller does leave a better finish in one pass.

 

[Car Doc]

Well...the correct job for THAT job would be a power rake. I've used my tiller before and the Power rake is 300x better.

I think the common thread here is "if a Reverse rotation machine wasnt so much money, we would all prefer one"....

Gee thanks now I have to get one of those! j/k

Off subject sorry but since we are talking about cost...what I want to know is why the cost is different on a reverse that's what someone can explain, a gear box is a gear box in my mind so whats the deal we want one so its higher for that reason? :confused2:

Steve