Tiller Rotary tillers

[Mike_Kanzer]

I was looking on line at rotary tillers - was looking to get a 48-50" tiller with offset capability to run with my L3830 Kubota (PTO=30.5hp) and I was surprised to see that they have both recommended minimum and maximum hp ratings. I assume the upper end number is related to the gearbox? Would using too much hp tear up the gear box if you were tilling in hard soil? I am looking at a landpride RTR1550 reverse tine rotation with 50" width. Anybody have any experience with this? Is the reverse tine worth the extra $? Thanks- any input would be greatly appreciated. - Mike

 

[LBrown59]

I was looking on line at rotary tillers - was looking to get a 48-50" tiller with offset capability to run with my L3830 Kubota (PTO=30.5hp) and I was surprised to see that they have both recommended minimum and maximum hp ratings. I assume the upper end number is related to the gearbox? Would using too much hp tear up the gear box if you were tilling in hard soil? I am looking at a landpride RTR1550 reverse tine rotation with 50" width. Anybody have any experience with this? Is the reverse tine worth the extra $? Thanks- any input would be greatly appreciated. - Mike

I like the forward rotating tines and prefer a tiller wide enough to cover both tracks.
I'm not a fan of off set backward tillers.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I was looking on line at rotary tillers - was looking to get a 48-50" tiller with offset capability to run with my L3830 Kubota (PTO=30.5hp) and I was surprised to see that they have both recommended minimum and maximum hp ratings. I assume the upper end number is related to the gearbox? Would using too much hp tear up the gear box if you were tilling in hard soil? I am looking at a landpride RTR1550 reverse tine rotation with 50" width. Anybody have any experience with this? Is the reverse tine worth the extra $? Thanks- any input would be greatly appreciated. - Mike

Using too much horsepower would tear up something. I just replaced the PTO on a tractor I bought because a previous user had used too strong of a shear bolt.

I suppose it's like anything else. If you are careful and use it right everything will go well.

The other thought here is if you have the horsepower, why not use it?

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

I was lookig at smaller tillers mainly for the cost factor. I have a relatively small garden and don't need a large machine.

 

[hotchkiss]

I too prefer tillers that rotate forward, and cover the width of your rear tires. Too much horse power will tear up anything.

I don't think it is worth the extra money to get one that is offset or rotates backwards.

 

[Gator6x4]

Two good tillers for the L3830 are:

Landpride RTA 1558 - This unit is rated for 35 PTO horse power and is 58" wide (tilling width) overall width is something like 64 ".

First Choice RT04-60 - This unit is also rated at 35 PTO horse power and is 60" wide (tilling width) As with the Landpride overall width again will add four or five inches to the tilling width.

From a cost stand point the First Choice will probably be cheaper than the Landpride.
The Land Pride or First Choice will do an outstanding job at preparing a garden plot.

 

[jbrumberg]

Mike:

There has been some serious discussion about the pro's and con's regarding forward vs reverse rotation tillers here at TBN. Check out the archives. IMHO I would suggest that if you have rocky soil you would be better served by a forward rotation tiller and a tiller that covers your tracks (They are also cheaper.). Jay

 

[randy41]

if you have a small garden a tractor pulled tiller is overkill. a walk behind tiller would be more versatile.

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

Randy-
You are absolutley right but I don't want to end up with another gas engine to maintain.
I already have 6 now (ZTR mower, walk behind trimmer, snowblower, weed wacker, walk behind mowers, etc) - It may be overkill now but I also plan on expanding the garden after I retire so a big tiller might make that a lot easier to do. Thanks for the input - Mike

 

[LBrown59]

if you have a small garden a tractor pulled tiller is overkill. a walk behind tiller would be more versatile.

After one of these things got done with me I'd be stagering not walking.

 

[IXLR8]

Having used several different walkbehind tillers over the last 35 years... I am getting too old to deal with wrestling with one any more. Does anybody have any experiance with the CCM tillers? I am looking at the CR-60 in particular.

CCM Gear Drive Rotary Tillers

 

[jbrumberg]

Having used several different walkbehind tillers over the last 35 years... I am getting too old to deal with wrestling with one any more. Does anybody have any experiance with the CCM tillers? I am looking at the CR-60 in particular.

CCM Gear Drive Rotary Tillers

Jim:

I have had no problems with my CCM M-160 tiller. I might add that CCM's service, product and customer support is outstanding. They are competively priced. Jay

 

[KevPH1]

Hi Mike,

I own the KingKutter ,gear driven,48" tiller. (forward rotating)

The tiller works great except for boot marks on my jeans. My mistake was the tiller will not
cover the width of my tractor tires. (JD 41115 / 20 hp pto)

I kick myself every time I use the tiller!
) OUCH!! If only I bought the wider tiller!??!

Mike, buy a tiller at least as wide as the tractor. The increased cost is not that much over the 48" models. Another plus, your jeans will last longer! LOL!
Work safe

 

[jeffinsgf]

I must be missing something. I just got the King Kutter II 48", and I haven't had the first problem with the fact that it won't completely cover my tracks. It's one of the best implements I've ever bought. Should have done it years ago. Projects that would have taken weeks and still not been just right have been handled in a day or two.

 

[bjr]

I'm gonna throw in with the cover your tire tracks group. I help out the fussy ol' farts group out where I'm at. Their gardens are their world and they want to see no tire tracks. Sometimes they gett'em anyways cause I don't charge much and they appreciate that. I've kinda put together a tiller out through away stuff and it's a 58" and just barely cover the tire tracks. bjr

 

[Mike_Kanzer]

Jeff-
Looking at the King Kutter II on their web site I see it is built with the 3 point connection offset to the side - I assume this is why you don't get tire tracks, even tough the tiller is only 48" wide.

 

[LBrown59]

Jeff-
Looking at the King Kutter II on their web site I see it is built with the 3 point connection offset to the side - I assume this is why you don't get tire tracks, even tough the tiller is only 48" wide.

MY KK is 48''.
Tractor tire track is 45'' out side to outside.

 

[coobie]

Randy-
You are absolutley right but I don't want to end up with another gas engine to maintain.
I already have 6 now (ZTR mower, walk behind trimmer, snowblower, weed wacker, walk behind mowers, etc) - It may be overkill now but I also plan on expanding the garden after I retire so a big tiller might make that a lot easier to do. Thanks for the input - Mike

I agree,I was looking at walk behind tillers for around $800-$1200 bucks.I ended up buying a 65 inch tiller for my tractor for $1850.I would look at first choice or Farm maxx tillers,they seem to be a quality made tiller for a reasonable price.coobie

 

[shvl73]

A lot of good brands out there. The KK tillers are well reviewed here, good pricing. I have a First Choice/Sicma going on its 5th year, been great. They have, or still do, make the Kioti tillers. The ones sold by Carter & Carter (CCM) have many fans and the customer service from CCM is said to be top notch. All are competitively priced.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Jeff-
Looking at the King Kutter II on their web site I see it is built with the 3 point connection offset to the side - I assume this is why you don't get tire tracks, even tough the tiller is only 48" wide.

Correct, Mike. The offset covers my right tire. I have to think a little about how I approach things, but for 500 simolians, I can think a little. Particularly given how infrequently I'll use the tiller. That said, it hasn't been off the tractor since I got it 3 weeks ago.