rotary tiller depth & weight

[Agrantina]

I will be buying a tiller this year and I have a few question about tillers. I have noticed that some tillers have a working depth of 1-4 inches, others have 7 inches and some dont list it at all. Weight--some tillers are 690lbs for a 5ft one and others are 441lbs? I gues my two question are

1) Working depth- why the wide difference in depths- is this a single pass working depth rating?
2) For most attachments weight is a GOOD thing. Is this so for rotary tillers also? Does the weight make a difference in tillers?

AndyG

 

[sweettractors]

I will be buying a tiller this year and I have a few question about tillers. I have noticed that some tillers have a working depth of 1-4 inches, others have 7 inches and some dont list it at all. Weight--some tillers are 690lbs for a 5ft one and others are 441lbs? I gues my two question are

1) Working depth- why the wide difference in depths- is this a single pass working depth rating?
2) For most attachments weight is a GOOD thing. Is this so for rotary tillers also? Does the weight make a difference in tillers?

AndyG

In my case, the Tarter has a typo in the specs. Our Hawkline weighs 100 lbs more than the Tarter, Same working depth on both. Ken Sweet

 

[Haoleguy]

Agrantina - What are you planned to use the tiller for? If you are planting crops and you have good soil structure I might suggest a soil spader as it aims to retain that structure. Rotary tillers unfortunately eliminate soil structure that has been built up. See spader video at ..... YouTube - Soil Spader for Incorporating from Vegetable Farmers and their Sustainable Tillage Practice .......Gary

 

[beenthere]

I will be buying a tiller this year and I have a few question about tillers. I have noticed that some tillers have a working depth of 1-4 inches, others have 7 inches and some dont list it at all. Weight--some tillers are 690lbs for a 5ft one and others are 441lbs? I gues my two question are

1) Working depth- why the wide difference in depths- is this a single pass working depth rating?
2) For most attachments weight is a GOOD thing. Is this so for rotary tillers also? Does the weight make a difference in tillers?

AndyG

Working depth will most likely depend on the blades (how sharp they are), the soil conditions (from old pasture sod to previously-tilled sandy loam), the speed (how slow can you go), and adjustments of the 3ph.
Weight of the tiller will play some part too, so yes to "does it make a difference".

Much more to the equation than an ad just calling out a "working depth" on a sheet of paper, as it really doesn't mean a thing. IMO.

 

[Agrantina]

Thanks- That is what I am think on the working depth number.. KingK doesnt list a working depth number at all and I have used a 4ft one before and single SLOW pass it will dig 4-6 inches IMO....

 

[Baby Grand]

Agrantina - What are you planned to use the tiller for? If you are planting crops and you have good soil structure I might suggest a soil spader as it aims to retain that structure. Rotary tillers unfortunately eliminate soil structure that has been built up. See spader video at ..... YouTube - Soil Spader for Incorporating from Vegetable Farmers and their Sustainable Tillage Practice .......Gary

Gary,
How much does a good spader cost, and who makes a good one?
Someone else mentioned this implement, but I'm not having much luck finding any information other than they are more in line with no-till methods than a roto-tiller.
(No Utube access here).
-Jim

 

[Haoleguy]

Gary,
How much does a good spader cost, and who makes a good one?
Someone else mentioned this implement, but I'm not having much luck finding any information other than they are more in line with no-till methods than a roto-tiller.
(No Utube access here).
-Jim

Hi Jim - The following is the article that originally triggered my interest..... Product Review: Spaders . It lists Celli, Tortella, Gremagna, Sicma, & Falc in the article. However the youtube video I believe shows an Imants machine which I think seems to have the best product range and features. See Imants at rotary spader, soil preparation cultivation equipment: Imants. for info. They are listing Autrusa at the US distributor. .........Gary

 

[Spindifferent]

I'm very interested to hear from anyone who has actually used a spader.

I've heard that they are two to three times the cost of a typical rotary tiller.

Spader info links:

Products | Celli Spa

rotary spader, soil preparation cultivation equipment: Imants.

Specialized Implements

Spade Article

- Spindifferent

 

[Agrantina]

I talked to a local guy yesterday and he was telling me that the weight on tillers really didnt matter much. The dept was also not that big a deal. Said after 1 to 2 passes most tillers would contiune digging deeper and deeeeeper if you let it down. His impression was more on the number of tines and reliability of the maker then anything else. He said "come on- how many times you going to use it 5-10 times a year?" It will at last you if thats all your going to use it for? Geeeee he was alot of help

AndyG

 

[skipmarcy]

The only benefit I can see from a heavier tiller would be when you hit a fair-sized rock or other chunk of something it won't jump up as bad and leave a little hard ridge - especially if you use some sort of manual planter like I do with my Earthway. I just broke a new 1/2 acre last year - plowed, disced and then ran my Kubota tiller thru several times (with new tines), after a couple more years of working this spot it won't be a problem anymore.

I would agree with having more tines is better - my 5' Kubota has 36 tines total, but you better check availability and price of replacement tines if you plan to use it regularly. Kubota wanted right at $15 each for those 36 tines and when the tines are worn it will not till hardly at all. Luckily my local co-op found some aftermarket tines in Calif. for $8each. If you go looking at used tillers make sure the tines are not shaped like a clip-point knife blade or worse, a steak knife - most new tines are rectangular all the way out to the end and this is when they really till well and the deepest. When I bought my tiller last fall I was luckily at a dealer and he called Kubota to price the tines before I bought it so I could adjust my offer on it. He had just taken it in on trade and it was still hung on the back of the tractor and he was able to run it for me to look & listen for a slapping drive chain or bad bearing.

 

[Baby Grand]

Gary, Spindifferent -

Thanks for all the useful info on spaders. From what I have read, they appear to be excellent if you're doing intensively organic or low/no till agriculture on a fairly large scale. If my wife and I ever get our ag act together I will seriously consider one. I bet it would rock for carrots.

Downsides are cost, flexibility and operability. I could buy 3 new KKII tillers for the cost of a similar sized Celli spader. Not mentioned much is flexibility of use. The spader is a one trick pony. In terms of flexibility, I use my tiller for more than simple tillage - I bust up sod, mix materials, loosen soil for FEL digging and generally scare the cats (Spike puffs up real big when it starts spinning). On the operability side, I don't really need a creeper gear, even with a gear drive tractor. If the soil is willing, I can till in 2nd gear.

Andy-

I have to take issue with your local guy's opinion. Weight carries .. well, weight ... for me with ground engaging equipment. Firstly, it supplies the downforce that my 3PH cannot. This is more important with a forward rotating tiller as it wants to climb up and over anything it can't bite right into. Weight keeps it's nose to the ground; doing what it's supposed to be doing. Weight also implies more steel & by inference, more rigidity. Rigidity is important when you consider the forces acting on the drum and frame of the tiller when you are working it hard. More rigid = less deflection = happier gears, chains, seals and bearings. So more weight, if it's wisely applied, should give longer life.

-Jim

 

[clemsonfor]

Gary, Spindifferent -

Thanks for all the useful info on spaders. From what I have read, they appear to be excellent if you're doing intensively organic or low/no till agriculture on a fairly large scale. If my wife and I ever get our ag act together I will seriously consider one. I bet it would rock for carrots.

Downsides are cost, flexibility and operability. I could buy 3 new KKII tillers for the cost of a similar sized Celli spader. Not mentioned much is flexibility of use. The spader is a one trick pony. In terms of flexibility, I use my tiller for more than simple tillage - I bust up sod, mix materials, loosen soil for FEL digging and generally scare the cats (Spike puffs up real big when it starts spinning). On the operability side, I don't really need a creeper gear, even with a gear drive tractor. If the soil is willing, I can till in 2nd gear.

Andy-

I have to take issue with your local guy's opinion. Weight carries .. well, weight ... for me with ground engaging equipment. Firstly, it supplies the downforce that my 3PH cannot. This is more important with a forward rotating tiller as it wants to climb up and over anything it can't bite right into. Weight keeps it's nose to the ground; doing what it's supposed to be doing. Weight also implies more steel & by inference, more rigidity. Rigidity is important when you consider the forces acting on the drum and frame of the tiller when you are working it hard. More rigid = less deflection = happier gears, chains, seals and bearings. So more weight, if it's wisely applied, should give longer life.

-Jim

My thoughts exactly. A light tiller will posibly not till deep as it will float on the dirt it just tilled and not fall through it and iff you hit a big root or rock a light weight tiller may bust gears or bend all up. They all have a shear pin or slip clutch so this is not a good thing. Your tractor will not break if you have a heavy weight tiller if it hits a big object. The shear pin will break before damage should occur to your tractors driveline.

 

[Agrantina]

BabyG,Clem
Now that makes a lot more sense to me. Heavier tiller so it will not jump up and damage anything on the tractor. I have had that happen when final grading in high gear with a box blade at hit something and the box blade jump up in the seat with me. :confused2: Well not really but scared my to death!!! Those phoenix tillers are 200lbs less than the KK, Tarter and other USA made ones..

AndyG

 

[sweettractors]

BabyG,Clem
Now that makes a lot more sense to me. Heavier tiller so it will not jump up and damage anything on the tractor. I have had that happen when final grading in high gear with a box blade at hit something and the box blade jump up in the seat with me. :confused2: Well not really but scared my to death!!! Those phoenix tillers are 200lbs less than the KK, Tarter and other USA made ones..

AndyG

The 6 ft Phoenix T-8-72 inch weighs 679 and the Tarter 6 ft weighs 700 and the Hawkline 6 ft weighs 800. Ken Sweet

 

[sweettractors]

I just got a message from TBN that states someone has complained about my last post:

Quote: A while back you asked the people here if you posted too much as a dealer.. On the "Tiller" weight question you never answered the OP all you did is try to sell,,, hmmmm..Quote:


I really don't know the issue this user has, If you guys want me to not post the weights of the products I sell, just let me know? Ken Sweet

 

[Agrantina]

Thanks Ken-- NOT I how dislikes the info... What is the bar across the top of the hawline tiller for? A extra brace?

AndyG

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks Ken-- NOT I how dislikes the info... What is the bar across the top of the hawline tiller for? A extra brace?

AndyG

Yes, extra weight and bracing. Ken Sweet

 

[clemsonfor]

Yes, extra weight and bracing. Ken Sweet

Ken you better watch out that type comment may get you banned!! :laughing:

Now i will wait for my PM from TBN that my post has been removed as it badmouths ..... blah blah

 

[Baby Grand]

I just got a message from TBN that states someone has complained about my last post:

Quote: A while back you asked the people here if you posted too much as a dealer.. On the "Tiller" weight question you never answered the OP all you did is try to sell,,, hmmmm..Quote:


I really don't know the issue this user has, If you guys want me to not post the weights of the products I sell, just let me know? Ken Sweet

Hey, Ken -
Speaking for myself, I welcome your input. While you may be representing your products, I have never gotten the impression that you misrepresent them. In doing that, you are adding to the tribal knowledge, which is why I keep coming back to TBN in the first place. Knowledge is power - power to make an educated decision.
-Jim

 

[Haywire]

Hey, Ken -
Speaking for myself, I welcome your input. While you may be representing your products, I have never gotten the impression that you misrepresent them. In doing that, you are adding to the tribal knowledge, which is why I keep coming back to TBN in the first place. Knowledge is power - power to make an educated decision.
-Jim

+1 :thumbsup: I'm new here, and on other forums I have complained about advertisers that just hawk their wares without adding to the conversation or 'tribal knowledge'. From what I have seen, you don't fall into that category. Watch yourself though, I've got my eyeball on you and have my finger on the button... LOL

Ian