Tiller choice

[Boondox]

I’ve been in the market for a used tiller for my JD 4044R. With 34hp at the PTO it could handle a five footer. Six would be pushing it. This weekend I’m going to look at two.

The first is a new Frontier RT3049 for $2200. At only four foot width it’s narrower than I want, but the tractor could easily handle the load in the heaviest soil. The 30 series is pretty beefy.

The other is a nine year old Kuhn EL32-150 that’s seen very little use. It still has paint on about half the length of the tines and has been well maintained. Price is $2500

Tough choice!

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have a JD 3720 which is about the same horsepower as the 4044 (probably a little less). I have a Ansung 74" tiller on it and it handles it well. If I put the tiller all the way down, it will slow the engine down. I do use it a lot and I'm on my 3rd set of blades. But it hasn't always been used on my JD 3720.

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[Sawyer Rob]

I’ve been in the market for a used tiller for my JD 4044R. With 34hp at the PTO it could handle a five footer. Six would be pushing it. This weekend I’m going to look at two.

The first is a new Frontier RT3049 for $2200. At only four foot width it’s narrower than I want, but the tractor could easily handle the load in the heaviest soil. The 30 series is pretty beefy.

The other is a nine year old Kuhn EL32-150 that’s seen very little use. It still has paint on about half the length of the tines and has been well maintained. Price is $2500

Tough choice!

Not for me, I'd grab the Kuhn!

SR

 

[RjCorazza]

I run a five foot tiller on my 32 pto HP tractor without issue, but wish it was six feet wide to cover my width.

 

[CH4Ohio]

I’ve been in the market for a used tiller for my JD 4044R. With 34hp at the PTO it could handle a five footer. Six would be pushing it. This weekend I’m going to look at two.

The first is a new Frontier RT3049 for $2200. At only four foot width it’s narrower than I want, but the tractor could easily handle the load in the heaviest soil. The 30 series is pretty beefy.

The other is a nine year old Kuhn EL32-150 that’s seen very little use. It still has paint on about half the length of the tines and has been well maintained. Price is $2500

Tough choice!

First thing to consider is the width of your rear tire track. You want the tiller to at least cover your tracks and leave a smooth seedbed behind you. So what's that dimension? In most cases, I think the best tiller for any given tractor is the rear width plus about 6 inches.

Compare any of the used ones to new King Kutter models. They really make a great tiller.

 

[Boondox]

First thing to consider is the width of your rear tire track. You want the tiller to at least cover your tracks and leave a smooth seedbed behind you. So what's that dimension? In most cases, I think the best tiller for any given tractor is the rear width plus about 6 inches.

Compare any of the used ones to new King Kutter models. They really make a great tiller.

I’d need a six footer to cover my tracks, but that width requires just a bit more PTO HP than I have. That, coupled with our heavy clay soil, has me worried that it might be too much for the JD. A five footer covers half my wheel width while not overtaxing the tractor, which I could live with

 

[CH4Ohio]

I’d need a six footer to cover my tracks, but that width requires just a bit more PTO HP than I have. That, coupled with our heavy clay soil, has me worried that it might be too much for the JD. A five footer covers half my wheel width while not overtaxing the tractor, which I could live with

Have you used a 3-point tiller before? If it's not as wide as your tires, you are constantly trying to work to one side or clean up tracks. Every pass leaves compressed tire tracks in otherwise loose fluffy soil. Even in clay . . .

I run a 5' King Kutter behind a B-series 30 HP Kubota. It's perfect. Handles it fine. In sod or any soil. With any tiller, you'll be in low range, first gear, 4 wheel drive, and crawling slow. I'm sure yours would handle more than my small Kubota.

As far as brand, I've run Kubota, Befco, Land Pride, and a couple really off-brands. The yellow King Kutter that I bought from TSC 22 years ago has been bullet-proof and does a fantastic job. (And I haven't babied it!)

 

[CH4Ohio]

I’d need a six footer to cover my tracks, but that width requires just a bit more PTO HP than I have. That, coupled with our heavy clay soil, has me worried that it might be too much for the JD. A five footer covers half my wheel width while not overtaxing the tractor, which I could live with

Short answer should have been -- "Then get the 6 footer." Your tractor can handle it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Short answer should have been -- "Then get the 6 footer." Your tractor can handle it.

That just isn't true in all cases, it depends on what tiller and what conditions it will be used in!

You put a 35 hp tractor on my 6' tiller and it won't be too long, and the tractor will be running too hot!

SR

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I’d need a six footer to cover my tracks, but that width requires just a bit more PTO HP than I have.

Most tillers can be off set a bit to cover one track of the tractor and that works just fine. You just have to plan how you go around the field to make it work,

SR

 

[sfstravist]

Here's a nice read with visuals:

Ignite Attachments 3pt Tiller — Life on Reed

As a small-scale homestead, finding the right equipment to maintain and improve our land is a priority. Recently, we invested in the Ignite Attachments 3-Point Tiller, and it's safe to say that this decision has transformed the way we approach soil preparation.

lifeonreed.com

 

[ptsg]

4 or 6 tines per flange? This will also contribute to how much HP it will actually require.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

4 or 6 tines per flange? This will also contribute to how much HP it will actually require.

Also, tine "speed" makes a huge difference!

There are a few other things too...

SR

 

[BigBlue1]

I don't think a 6' tiller would be a problem at all. I use a 60" behind my JD 2520, which is about 25hp, and it has plenty of power. I actually for a hobby till peoples' gardens through the area with it. Heck, I'd think my 2520 could handle a 72", power-wise. You'll thank yourself so, so much in the future if you but a tiller that at least is wider than your tractor's tire track width.