Seeking some urgent clarity on turning while rototilling WITHOUT differential drive

[ottawarob]

I have the 853, that I think has differential drive. I... can't say I've noticed it help or hinder things. The 853 is a bigger one, and even with the 32" tiller, I find it easy to move around while tilling. Some times I turn on the diff lock, when I'm getting tired to help keep the lines straighter.

The worst is when you're trying to hack up too much at once, I find it can kind of get a bunch of weed-y soil built up between the unit and the tiller. Better to take two or more passes.

 

[jbradley]

I would suggest that you try to tryout each model. It's been too many years since I had a Troy-bilt horse. I've had a BCS 732 for about 10 years and have recently purchased a used 948. Mowing with the 732 has been frustrating at times, because the highest speed is frequently slower than I want to walk. The 948 is better, though it hasn't stopped raining long enough to work on the brakes.

 

[ottawarob]

Funny, I rarely use the brakes on mine. I can steer it so much faster and easier with my arms than with the brakes.

 

[amarfsf]

I thank everyone that got back to my query for the very useful feedback. I knew as soon as I came across this forum and some of the posts I read that many of you are very kind in sharing your valuable experience to help others. Living off the the land in as sustainable a manner as possible is probably the least destructive and most fulfilling of things one can do given the circumstances we live in. And I am grateful to those of you that are trying to do this for persisting with this oldest and most valuable of traditions.

Landscape weed prevention fabric isn't an option here in India since we either cannot easily buy biodegradable fabric or it's prohibitively expensive.

Just want to let you all know that the BCS dealer I contacted in a neighboring state told me there's a barely used BCS 720/721 with a roto-tiller that he has offered us for about 40% the price of a new one. Based on the feedback I got from you all and based on our financial availability, we will most probably go ahead and buy the used piece.

We are a family working on our 3 acres of land with occasional help from friends. So, as one of the members suggested, we will make do with some roto-tilling and using hoes around the plants so we won't have to struggle too much with the lack of differential on the 720/721.

 

[jrpeterson05]

Maybe I a too late posting but I wanted to share my thoughts on it. I have a BCS 720 with a tiller a few years ago and it was a great tiller. I have since upgraded to a 739 with a differential and it makes a big difference for me. The 720 was not hard to maneuver around but the 739 is definitely easier. I till a lot of smaller areas where I have to maneuver around obstacles.

 

[rickyd79]

Life is way too short to run a 2 wheel tractor without differential. Could I run one without it, yes. Would i intentionally choose to do so, no way! I would go and deliver pizzas or whatever for a few months to save up extra money and then get the differential tractor. Less wear and tear on the body is always better.

 

[Sparkeee24]

BCS makes ratcheting axle extensions you can add on to a non-differential machine that will allow you to ratchet around a tight turn, similar to an open differential. they are select-able so you can lock the axles if you desire as well. Might get the used machine at the 40% savings, and add the ratchet extensions next year, when you have gotten used to it, or if you have some time to get some more money by working with the tool you can get.