Rotary hoe issue.

bluesilver · Apr 26, 2015

Hi, i have just been fortunate enough to recently purchase a new Ferrari 360 with the larger Diesel LD510 engine.
A good machine and operates well.

I only have the one question that i am hoping someone here that has been using these machines for a while can help me out with.
Using the rotary hoe, on fresh ground and setting the hoe on the minimum cut it works very well.
Now when the patch is done once, i go over it again for a second pass, still the same minimum settings.
Now more often that not the machine gets stuck, as in bogged, (the wheels are turning but the machine is stationary) even with the diff lock engaged.
The ground is not wet or muddy, just nearly spot on for working up.
Is there something that i am doing wrong here, as the only way to get the moving again it to lift the hoe up using the handle bars.
Do i need to add heaps of weight to the wheels or go for the steel spiked wheels?

Any information or help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

farmerboybill · Apr 26, 2015

You're tilling ground. The first pass, the ground is firm as the wheels cross it. The second pass, the ground is loose. Loose ground makes for reduced traction. Why do you need to till it twice? Super finely tilled ground may look nice, but it really does nothing to improve your garden. In fact, it just further destroys soil structure. Make one pass.

bluesilver · Apr 26, 2015

So by adding more weight to the wheels would this prevent the wheels slipping?
I know what you are saying, but when adding more fertilizer and compost latter in the year, the ground is still going to be loose.
So just trying to find out what is the best way to help prevent the wheels from loosing traction.
Anyone here know if by adding weights to the wheels prevents this, i am sure there must be others here that has the same issue.
Cheers.

TimberXX · Apr 26, 2015

I am surprised with your issue. How wide is the rotary hoe (ie a tiller)? Is is adjustable, maybe make it a little skinner.

I have wheel weights on mine, and love them.

kevin37b · Apr 27, 2015

Are you talking a rotary hoe or a disc ? A rotary hoe does not till , it throws out little weeds . There may be a small communication or spelling issue .

farmerboybill · Apr 27, 2015

Australians call rototillers "rotary hoes". Here, a rotary hoe is a 3 point mounted unit with unpowered wheels that run over the field to break up crust and blind cultivate very small weeds out of crops.

More weight and larger tires will help with the lack of traction.

bluesilver · Apr 30, 2015

Cheers, yes i guess what we call rotary hoes here might be a little different.
Basically i was referring to the standard unit that come with these two wheel tractors, I guess it is also called the rototiller, it has 20 blades, 10 left 10 right.
It comes with the larger tires, so from what i am reading if correct, some heavy wheel weights might help with this situation?
Cheers.

Ford850 · May 1, 2015

What type of tires do you have on it now? Are they bar (tractor tread) style? I can't imagine tilling without them.
Is your tiller forward or reverse spin? By that I mean does it try to push your tractor as you till, or hold it back? If forward, you should be able to limit the depth of till some and let the tiller help your traction issue with the constant push forward.
As for adding weight, I know people swear it helps, but I'd check into how much it adds as a percent of overall existing weight first. Your diesel tractor has to be relatively heavy already, so just filling tires or something small won't change much in my opinion. If you are planning to add weight, you'll need wheel weight, etc (and maybe that's what you planned).

bluesilver · May 2, 2015

Thanks for the replies.
Yes it has the tractor tread wheels in the larger diameter.
The unit itself weights in at around 220 kg or there about (around 490 pounds)
Yes the tiller throws the soil back to your feet, so it is helping the forward momentum.
Bit embarrassing, but have just found out the diagrams and instructions are actually wrong and in reverse, the depth gauge is reverse, so thinking i am on minimum cut was actually in full depth cut.
So the issue now is only when doing a full depth or 3/4 depth cut, when on minimum, it goes over it like a dream.
Wheel weights is what i have planned for.

Wagtail · May 2, 2015

Two quick questions Cobber... Who did you buy it from? (I don't think that Midlands sells that brand but I could be wrong)

And, are you going to Agfest this week?