Tiller Roto Tiller Features

whstein · Nov 13, 2008

The next implement purchase is a rototiller. My dealer sells Land Pride, Maschio and Sitrex. My questions are about forward rotation vs. counter rotation and shear pin vs. slip clutch models. My dealer favours forward rotation because of cost and less soil compaction and says they outsell counter rotation models by 20:1. He also favours shear pin models and says the slip clutch types require much more maintenance i.e. slip mechanism must be re-torqued every time you hit something that causes slippage and if left outside in the rain for an extended period of time while shear pins can be replaced quickly in the field. He sells all types so it is not a matter of trying to get rid of in-stock inventory. What do you guys think? TIA. Wally Stein

ronjhall · Nov 13, 2008

I have a reverse rotation tiller. Love it. But it does not like rocks over 8". Will stop tines and cause slip clutch to work. I would never consider a tiller without a slip clutch. I do not store tiller outside. So rust is not a problem. I would think the reason that forward tiller out sell reverse tillers is cost.
Biggest reason for a reverse tiller is one pass tilling to desired depth. I do not understand the less soil compaction statement. My tiller does not require me driving over already tilled soil to do next row.

burkehill · Nov 13, 2008

I have the 5 foot Land Pride reverse till and it does great. Big rocks and logs will jam it up easier than a straight till, but they are easy enough to dislodge, and it does a much better job tilling than a straight till. I always use a slip clutch on all of my stuff. Pins are too much of a bother. That Land Pride comes with a newer kind of clutch that I am not all that familiar with. It does not have any adjustment on it. If you get one, make sure to read the manual and do the run in procedure before you start working. It will not work if you don't.

Reg · Nov 13, 2008

I have a forward rotation KK II.
It will usually ride up and over roots and rocks that are too big to "process", I regard this as a feature.
I have a slip clutch on it, which it came with, I havn't considered replacing that with shear pins - maybe the forward rotation's ride up and over feature has kept me from slip clutch problems.
I generally prefer problem avoidance to problem solution.
I till at a ground speed lower than the tiller's tip speed, i.e. the tiller "pushes" the tractor and throws soil back.
My guess is that reverse rotation blends the soil a bit more, might fluff it too much in some cases and would be problematic if/when hooked under roots or some shapes of flat rocks - just guessing.

polo1665 · Nov 13, 2008

I am sure if you ever happen to break a slip clutch you will realize why shear pins could be more popular. I had to purchase a replacement hub for the slip clutch on my 38" Simplicity tiller, it was $100. If I had been unable to find that part and had to purchase the whole thing, it would have been $280. Granted, a slip clutch hub breaking should not be a common occurance, but I would rather change ten shear pins as opposed to waiting a week for a replacement part and having to tear the gear box off the tiller.
As far as the rotation goes, mine is forward rotating and does a pretty nice job. The only counter rotating tiller I had was a walk behind model. If you hit a rock with that puppy it would jolt you pretty good.

Mark

Skerby · Nov 13, 2008

can't you just go in reverse to 'counter-till'? i have the KKII 6' and wouldn't spend any more as this has been flawless so far (knock on wood!)
since you won't need anytime soon, wait until after Christmas and you'll get another $100 or so off at TSC i'd bet. the toliet economy will be great for non-business owners with cash

pitt_md · Nov 13, 2008

Skerby said:
can't you just go in reverse to 'counter-till'? i have the KKII 6' and wouldn't spend any more as this has been flawless so far (knock on wood!)
since you won't need anytime soon, wait until after Christmas and you'll get another $100 or so off at TSC i'd bet. the toliet economy will be great for non-business owners with cash

No you can't just go in reverse. They are not designed to be pushed. The skid plates/depth adjustment only work going forward. There is no way for the dirt to get out of the way once it has been tilled.

I have a forward rotating 6' Befco with slip clutch. It does a fine job and I don't find a slip clutch to be that much of a challange to maintain.

Egon · Nov 13, 2008

Do not the forward rotating tillers require more Horse power?

I have a slip clutch on my little tiller. Adjustments are not a problem and it does sit outside.

A person could always remove the slip clutch and take it inside. I've done that also.

LBrown59 · Nov 13, 2008

whstein said:
My dealer favours forward rotation

So do I.

burkehill said:
I have the 5 foot Land Pride reverse till and it does great. .

I back the tiller up into dirt piles to get fine dirt for lawn and landscapeing projects.
I don't think a reverse rotation tiller would work very well for backing into a pile of dirt.

Forward or reverse / tilling is a dirty dusty job.

AndyMA · Nov 13, 2008

Egon said:
Do not the forward rotating tillers require more Horse power?

.

Egon

I believe just the opposite is true. The reverse rotating ones have a lot more soil to move and don't have the tractor forward motion to help.

Andy