Tiller or Disk?

RandyH · Mar 7, 2005

I'm getting ready to buy a 1500 and I was wondering if a disk would be better to use in ground that has roots. I'm concerned that snagging a tiller tine on a root would break it.

A question...are these Yanmar tillers gear drive? Is there some kind of slip when the tines hit a rock or a root?

Thanks for all the help. As you can tell, I'm a newbie to tractors. My Dad had a Farmall Cub when I was a kid, but that was a long time ago.

Randy

Tractors4u · Mar 7, 2005

If you have roots that you are concerned with, you better use a disk. The tiller hitting those roots will beat you to death. I believe most of the Yanmar tillers are gear driven and they have NO mechanism to let them slip, they just jump and shake alot. You could cut your drive shaft shorter and add a slip clutch. Let me say that again, a SLIP CLUTCH, not an over-run coupler. The ORC is needed if you run a bush hog.

RandyH · Mar 7, 2005

The only question I have about the disk is how deep will it go? I would like to get at least 6" down in the ground. I'm not sure what size disk a 1500 will take.

Thanks
Randy

kenmac · Mar 7, 2005

Hey Randy, where did you buy your 1500?

Tractors4u · Mar 7, 2005

If that disk sinks down 6" without turning it with a plow, I doubt your 1500 would pull it. When we would prepare a garden, we would turn the ground with a turning plow and once the ground was broken we would go over it with a disk to break the big clods up. To me a tiller operates as an all in one device for preparing to plant. They usually don't get down as deep as a plow though. You will have to go over unbroken soil over and over again to get it worked thoroughly.

Soundguy · Mar 7, 2005

I'm with brent.. Unless you are disking snow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, or sugar sand.. anyhting that 1500 will pull is gonna cut 3" to 4" with multiple passes. However.. it will be very forgiving with roots and rocks. Plowing first would be the best bet for deep disking. .however.. plowing with a tractor with no draft control is gonna be as fun as tilling it with that tiller... when you hit a root.. the tractors gonna stop! With draft control.. if you have it set righ.. you plow can avoid 'many' obstacles.. etc.

Soundguy

vongiese · Mar 8, 2005

Depends on how big and burley your roots are and how much ground. These tillers are pretty impressive. I've created a few gardens and tilled a couple yards and after a couple 3 passes and I had 12" of butter. Had to pull up on a few rocks and roots -- but impressive. If you have some acreage to do - that's another story - as these guys have explained.

RandyH · Mar 8, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hey Randy, where did you buy your 1500? )</font>

I haven't actually bought it yet. If you remember my first thread, I was looking at a used one for sale by an individual. I think I'm going to call him tomorrow and offer him $2000 for the tractor and equipment. If he doesn't bite, I'll probably buy from Fredricks in Huntsville, AL.

Brent,
Yeah that's the way we used to farm when I was a kid. I'm thinking this may be the best way now as well, particularly for ground that has not been broken before.

Sorry, it takes so long to reply. I'm working 12 hour shifts now so I can't get online whenever I want to.

Randy