Roto Tilling

[Texasmark]

Hi Folks,

New (urban) neighbors bought the JD 4052R (52 hp compact) last year and have done a great job of clearing their 50+ acres from 40+ years of totally neglected usage other than for free range type cattle grazing. Tractor worked flawlessly and the middle aged folks who never got in a seat adapted really well and are really enjoying their new experience.

They have started talking about a garden. Who knows what size so let's concentrate on the implement.

I have all the production equipment necessary for the job and will do the work for them (courtesy) to get the soil ready for the first year's planting.

What I want to know is what is your experience with the JD tractor mounted roto tillers. Soil seems to be more of a sandy loam light clay as compared to my rock hard Houston Black Clay so it ought to roto till really well once I break it up and that one implement should do all that's needed. If a drag spike harrow is necessary they can borrow mine and just pull it behind the tiller.

They already have a maintenance contract with JD and they seem to like the equipment and dealer field tech service so let's stick with that brand.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[jenkinsph]

I have a JD 673 tiller which would be a good fit for the 4052R that is what I would recommend. This is a 6' tiller with 6 tines per rotor and will work up to 7 inches deep. If operated correctly it will leave a smooth finish without much need for a harrow.

I use mine for small pastures more than gardens and works well for my uses.

 

[Egon]

For garden plots the roto tiller will work very well with the sise of tractor involved. Do some thinking on width as there may be maintenance between rows involved??

 

[Texasmark]

I have a JD 673 tiller which would be a good fit for the 4052R that is what I would recommend. This is a 6' tiller with 6 tines per rotor and will work up to 7 inches deep. If operated correctly it will leave a smooth finish without much need for a harrow.

I use mine for small pastures more than gardens and works well for my uses.

Is the 673 available at the JD dealer? If not, any idea as to current Frontier model that mimics it?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Texasmark]

For garden plots the roto tiller will work very well with the sise of tractor involved. Do some thinking on width as there may be maintenance between rows involved??

Would you explain: "Do some thinking on width as there may be maintenance between rows involved??"

Thanks

 

[Egon]

When it's planted usually narrow fits better between rows.

 

[corl]

Choose a width tiller that covers both rear tire tracks. consider the "plant a row: skip a row" technique. Makes weeding simple.
Check out this website for great information The Bayou Gardener - Index

 

[Texasmark]

When it's planted usually narrow fits better between rows.

Ok thanks. I figured on a 6' rototiller with a Mantis or something of the sort for cultivation. Rows probably will be half that width or closer depending on crop.

 

[Texasmark]

Choose a width tiller that covers both rear tire tracks. consider the "plant a row: skip a row" technique. Makes weeding simple.
Check out this website for great information The Bayou Gardener - Index

Thanks,

I gave them the www of this post so that they can follow along with any usable tips.

 

[jenkinsph]

You should be able to get one from the dealer, that is where I bought mine. Whether they have one in stock is another matter.

 

[Oldtink]

As much as I love my JD tractors, I don't get hung up on the JD brand when it comes to attachments especially one as simple as a rototiller. Good chance someone in this world is contracted to build them for JD.

 

[jenkinsph]

As much as I love my JD tractors, I don't get hung up on the JD brand when it comes to attachments especially one as simple as a rototiller. Good chance someone in this world is contracted to build them for JD.

That 673 Deere tiller is made by Machio as I understand it. I till lots of small pastures with mine and it has held up very well with heavy use.

I have several different brands of attachments and all seem to work well enough. I just seem to notice that Deere seems to be singled out to "talk down" more than other brands on this forum. It is no wonder that a large percentage of Deere equipment owners have left this forum for GTT. I try to keep an open mind and will say without reservation that there are a lot of great brands to choose from today. But it seems EVERY TIME a poster inquires about a Deere tractor or implement someone has to come in and talk it down. I don't see this happening with all the other brands.

 

[Oldtink]

That 673 Deere tiller is made by Machio as I understand it. I till lots of small pastures with mine and it has held up very well with heavy use.

I have several different brands of attachments and all seem to work well enough. I just seem to notice that Deere seems to be singled out to "talk down" more than other brands on this forum. It is no wonder that a large percentage of Deere equipment owners have left this forum for GTT. I try to keep an open mind and will say without reservation that there are a lot of great brands to choose from today. But it seems EVERY TIME a poster inquires about a Deere tractor or implement someone has to come in and talk it down. I don't see this happening with all the other brands.

I sincerely apologize if my comment offended you. On the contrary I was simply trying to convey the high quality of JD's attachments as a standard by which all others are compared. I'll be the first to agree that the service and parts availability provided by your local JD dealer can be priceless. I didn't mean to undermine anyone's desire to buy JD attachments, simply that they have good options.....sometimes. Please accept my apology.

 

[jon edwards]

I have posted before that I am upgrading my tiller this spring. I am pretty much down to a JD 681 or a Landpride RTA3576. I have miles of shelter belt rows to till. I have been using a King Litter 72 inch tiller for the last six years. The reason I am upgrading is I am adding a 1/2 mile four row shelter belt this spring. The KK worked great, but I thought with the new shelter belt I would be asking to much of it.

I actually sold the KK to a neighbor for his garden.

Several friends of mine have the JD and it is very heavy duty. Both of those were used commercially.

The LP an the JD are actually about twice what the 84 inch KK would be.

I think the KK would work fine for most gardens.

But the others would too, just more money.

I'll include a picture of my old tiller and what I used it for in another post.

 

[jon edwards]

This is my old tractor with the KK 72 inch tiller. Ironically it is a JD too and I loved it.

The aerial photograph is my property and the shelter belts I have been tilling with the KK.

Best of luck to your neighbor. It is sure fun shopping for attachments.

 

[jenkinsph]

I sincerely apologize if my comment offended you. On the contrary I was simply trying to convey the high quality of JD's attachments as a standard by which all others are compared. I'll be the first to agree that the service and parts availability provided by your local JD dealer can be priceless. I didn't mean to undermine anyone's desire to buy JD attachments, simply that they have good options.....sometimes. Please accept my apology.

Thanks for the very considerate reply. No apology needed though. I just don't get why Deere seems to be berated so much. Caterpillar for instance is not mentioned much, is more expensive than it's competitors but is seldom " talked down".

I have all Deere tractors because I have had good service over the last forty years or so. People who have good service with a particular brand will often keep buying this brand. The nearest tractor dealership is Deere and the other brands were 50 miles farther away or more, that limited my interest in them to a degree. I did try out a lot of brands before buying the Deere 110 tlb and even spent two days at the Cat proving grounds near Tucson AZ. They had almost all models of their equipment there to test out, awesome two days.