Tiller Tiller Shopping

rationalizer · Jan 26, 2003

Hi Folks!

I'm in the market for a tiller - hoping to buy one in the next few months so I'm ready for the spring. I plan on using it for prepping for lawns, garden work, levelling paths and turning some of my property from "rough fields" to "smooth fields". I've got a JD 4710 (48hp). I've got 10 acres - mostly old farm field, heavy clay soil. I'm looking at Landpride, Woods, and maybe some of the more "value" focused brands.

One "feature" that I'm intrigued by is the Landpride "reverse tiller" design - where the tines are cutting "up" on the leading edge and there are "sifting rods" at the trailing edge that they claim result in the finer soil being left on top after tilling. Does anyone have experience with this design? Does it actually work as advertised vs. the traditional "downward" cut tines on other tillers? Of course this design is more expensive than the "traditional" design (Landpride offers "forward cut" tillers as well.)

What experience do people have with the Woods tillers? I have a Woods rotary cutter and box blade, which I find to be very well made. The Woods runs a heavier chain (100 vs 80 on the Landpride units I'm looking at). How about other brands? I like to buy "made in the USA" and it looks like the "value brands" like Sicma etc. are made overseas but the prices on the LP and Woods are very high - so I may go the value route. I do have good LP and Woods dealers nearby - however - so that is a plus....

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Bill

Rick Jay · Jan 26, 2003

Bill,

I might be looking for a tiller sometime in the future as well. I can't add much to your post other than I read somewhere on this board that just about all the tillers sold in the U.S. are made in Italy.

I also believe my dealer, who sells Woods, mentioned that the Woods tillers are made in Italy.

The Woods tillers do look like real beefy units. It might be hard to find a brand made "Made in the U.S.A.". And I think that is sad, but that's another thread under a different topic.

I'd be interested in any reports on the reverse tiller design of the Landpride units myself.

~Rick

rationalizer · Jan 26, 2003

Rick,

Interesting about the Woods tillers - I noticed that their literature doesn't mention where they are made. The Landpride units are made in Abilene, Kansas - at least according to their literature.

Bill

JohnMiller3 · Jan 26, 2003

<font color=blue>...It might be hard to find a brand made "Made in the U.S.A.". ..</font color=blue>

I was told the KingKutter II tillers were made in Ohio, U.S.A.
(last pricing 5’ tiller $999. & 6’ tiller $1199.)

Hoeman00 · Jan 26, 2003

I run a 74" Bush hog tiller, don't know if us made w/o
looking tonight.
I usually run 2 passes to turn everything to powder.
Only problem is w/ powder on top and some rain
it crusts over and the sun bakes it hard.
Better to leave larger pcs. and some mulch on
surface.
Sometimes farmers have to go in w/ a rotary hoe
to break crust for crops to emerge.
On heavy and clay soil I would add lots of manure to
loosen soil.
I paid a little over $1500 for my Bush hog new.

Bird · Jan 26, 2003

<font color=blue>Only problem is w/ powder on top and some rain it crusts over and the sun bakes it hard. Better to leave larger pcs. and some mulch on surface</font color=blue>

I preferred finely tilled soil, so I just ran over my garden with the tiller as soon as it dried enough after each rain, year round.

HayDR · Jan 26, 2003

CCM Tillers available in Kubota Orange

Anonymous Poster · Jan 26, 2003

Hello John--Are you sure the gear boxes and tines are not manufactured in and
imported from, Italy and then assembled in USA. This process does get you USA
sheetmetal and a USA designed machine and that is about it--- This is been a common practice on
most shortline equipment and tractors for years?--Ken Sweet

HayDR · Jan 26, 2003

CCM tillers are ALL gear driven and available from many dealers on TBN <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ccmachinery.com/tillers.htm>CCM TILLERS</A>

JohnMiller3 · Jan 26, 2003

Hi Ken,

Oh, I'm sure they are using foreign components like everyone else does... I don't know of an american made rotary cutter with an "american" gearbox... Is there an american mfr?

About a year or two ago, I called KK in AL. for info on their tiller, I was redirected to call Ohio "where they were made"... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif then the person in Ohio said they "only mfr. the tiller" and didn't have any literature... and re-redirected me to call back Alabama... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

So Ken... in a way... I'm glad they weren't made in Italy... my phone bill couldn't afford it... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif