Tiller Tiller or Disk harrow?

[froggy]

Have been looking at purchasing a tiller or disk harrow (either 3 point or drawn) to put in fire breaks and a garden, but have not decided which is the best way to go. This item will be used on a 50hp pto tractor. Would appreciate any comments on which is the best way to go.

 

[john_bud]

It depends.


Or did you want more detail that that?

The disk will be probably better at the fire breaks, provided you get one that is HEAVY. Or at least one that you can add a lot of weight to. The tiller will be way better at the garden. Unless you are doing a couple acres of garden? If you go with the disk, you may want to get a 3 bottom plow too and turn the breaks over, break the roots up, etc before you disk.


If you are buying new, they are both similarly priced. Used disks are fairly easy to find and don't usually cost too much to spruce up. I would guess you can pull a 7 1/2' or 8' disk or up to a 84" tiller.


A cheap way would be to get a used disk and bottom plow and a used rice tiller from the grey market importers. Then you have fewer compromises.

jb

 

[Egon]

I'd go for a plow and disc setup for firebreaks for economy sake. This will also work on the garden depending on size.

The disc needs to be a model that can take some weight and make the tractor grunt to do any good.

If money is readily available the tiller would be my option.

 

[froggy]

The garden area would be approximately 50' by 50'. 2 individual fire breaks would be 800' by 15'. The land consists of mainly silty clay.

 

[flusher]

Have been looking at purchasing a tiller or disk harrow (either 3 point or drawn) to put in fire breaks and a garden, but have not decided which is the best way to go. This item will be used on a 50hp pto tractor. Would appreciate any comments on which is the best way to go.

What's your budget?

For my little 17hp (pto) Kubota B7510HST I have a used 4-ft Yanmar RS-1200 tiller ($300 from my local grey market tractor guy) for the garden and landscape work. For my 38hp (pto) MF-135 diesel I have a 7-ft Ferguson tandem disc ($200 used) for things like firebrakes, hayfield tilling, etc.

Shop around in the used market if your budget is tight.

 

[froggy]

Figured on spending around $3,000.00.

 

[keving]

Figured on spending around $3,000.00.

froggy,

Did you make a decision yet? I'm on the same fence right now... I'm leaning more toward the tiller.

Thanks,

KevinG

 

[froggy]

Yes, I'm going with a Landpride disk harrow. Will be easier to do firebreaks, etc.

 

[Beavis]

I've put a few hours on the tractor with the 3pt. disc harrow now and really like the job it does. I spent an hour this morning working an area about 100' x 75' for a friend so he could plant grass. His yard was un-even and had poor grass coverage. I started with the disk cutting aggressively by shortening the top link. After one pass like that, I lengthened the top link so the disk was level or maybe even a hair lower in the back and worked the ground again cutting very shallow. This made for a powder smooth finish; I was more than impressed.

My disc is weighs about 700 lbs. You should be pleased with "Land pride"

 

[SCDolphin]

From a newbie get disc, subsoiler vs tiller..........I would love a tiller but I think best buy for the buck is disk and subsoiler. I would not buy Tufline....see my post.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

For gardening, I sure wouldn't want to do without my tiller. I have a 6' King Kutter tiller that's spent plenty of time on a 60hp tractor with no ill effects. Normally it's on a 47 hp tractor when used in the garden. I've done several large acreage jobs with it. (enough to wear out a set of tines) It's a lot of tiller for the buck. (New, Figure roughly $1400)

I'd look around for a pull type disc unless you need the mobility of a 3-point mounted one. Drawn disc's simply work better. IH made good ones. Look for something in the 8' to 10' range for a 50hp tractor. You should be able to find a really nice used one for around $1000 max.

Still have $600 left in the budget! Look for a nice 3-point plow. 50 HP SHOULD handle 3X14"'s but a good 2X14" or 2X16" would be more than adaquate for your intentions. Figure $350 to $500 If you plow the fire breaks, you can use the tiller there too. Virgin soil can be really tough on a tiller. Plowed ground is a cake walk for them. My favorite model plows are Ford 101 and Massey #66 or #43's.

Money left over and all three implements!

 

[brumbygirl]

I have been following this thread and am trying to decide between a tiller and discs. Financially I think discs would be more affordable but not sure what type and quality. Would like to find secondhand discs that suit a 50hp tractor that can plow pasture fields on heavy black soil as well as smaller lots. Located just west of Gainesville in Texas, any suggestions where I can get good secondhand refurbished 3pt discs?

 

[Young Farmer]

Most of the time, up here in WI, you can just look around the township and see what people have sitting around in their fields . . . Sometimes you can pick up an old, but decent, implement from a neighbor very cheaply!

 

[California]

One way to find unused farm equipment is ask the rural mail carrier or propane delivery driver etc who visits every farm. They will remember seeing stuff you would never find on your own.