Roto - tiller recomends?

[gvw]

Thinking about purchasing a rotto tiller for the 4700 - I have less than zero experience with one of these - was thinking about a 62" or 72" unit - will use for my own and some light commercial stuff. Need input on brand / durability / size and any thing else regarding one of these. Also - how important is size - man did I ever open up a discussion subject there! - should the unit be as wide as the tires - understand that some of the units offset by a foot -- Help!

 

[TerryinMD]

gvw,

I suggest that you look at the following sites and then visit a couple of dealers to "kick" the tires. As a point of reference, I have a Landpride RT1558 with a slip clutch and it performs very well with my 4100.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.woodsonline.com/catalog/tg_sub3.html>Woods online</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.landpride.com/lp/products/rt_main.html>Landpride</A>

Hope this helps.

Terry

 

[BB_TX]

<font color=blue>should the unit be as wide as the tires </font color=blue>
Being wider than the tires is generally preferable. Offset will work but you have to always go the same direction to get out without leaving tire tracks. A nuisance at best.

 

[Rockyroad]

I have had a Kuhn EL35 on my JD 750 since 1986. It is a heavy duty unit with an adjustable slip clutch. I am very happy with it. I have hit countless rocks and boulders here in our Rhode Island rocky soil. I have dents, etc, in the sheet metal, but the unit has functioned flawlessly. I have a leaky oil seal on one end that I have to deal with, but I guess this is common.

I can't speak for any other brands, but the Kuhn is a good machine. It will prepare a seed bed that is beyond belief!
They are pricey, however. But then again, I guess they all are. Paid $1500 for it new in '86, and I am told the same unit is now about $3500.

 

[blurrybill]

I can't wait to get my JD 660 tiller in a couple of weeks. I only could afford it because of my overall tractor deal. Several dealers suggested it was built like a tank and in a class by itself. I looked at many others and didn't think I would go for the JD. Check them out for finish and beefyness; think you'll like them. They ARE pricey.

Bill

 

[pfoxy]

One word for ya: Howard.

 

[dsgsr]

Paul's right, Howard is the best. They make the JD tillers but don't charge for the GREEN paint. I made the misstake, bought green when I could have bought Howard Orange and saved a little $$.

 

[OCDLubeman]

I concur with everyone above regarding the three brands already mentioned. I have had good experience with both Land Pride and Howard. Don't forget the dealer network/parts availability in your decision. It sure is nice to have a local dealer when something breaks right in the middle of planting season. They do take a beating - buy the heaviest one your tractor can handle and you can afford.

Randy

PS - if anyone is interested - at our nursery, we replaced our VERY heavy duty rototiller with a "spading machine". They have been used in specialty markets in Europe for 30 years or more. Ours has "paddles" on it that dig into the soil like a spade. Their benefits include deeper penetration (14 inches or more), they mix the soil more uniformily, they don't destroy (pulverize) the soil structure, and they don't create a "plow pan" like a conventional rototiller. Three brands are currently available, but they tend to cost more than a rototiller. Unless you are running a business or work at a tax supported institution (like me) this machine is probably not practical for the hobby farmer.

 

[JJT]

Go for the 72" unit. I have a gear driven KK unit that has been problem free for 3 years and at least 10 acres of hard use each year. (and it was only $1200 new - lots of bang for the buck)

 

[gvw]

JJT - what does KK stand for - you lost me on that one!