Tiller w/o FEL/weights - how heavy can I go?

[mfreeland]

I posted this question on the Attachments Forum and have received no replies, so I thought I would try my luck here:
I'm looking at a King Kutter II TG-48 or the 48" XB tiller for my Kubota B7500HSD. I'm in east central IL where the ground is soft and I don't believe rocks will be a major problem. As much as I would like to add a FEL, I don't see one in my future anytime soon. Nor have I had reason to put weights on the front as my MMM, PHD, BB, RB are no problem sans weights. But, I gather that a heavy tiller could be another story. I, too, perceive the extra weight (600#) of the TG-48 to be reflective of more "beef" but the XB looks solidly constructed to me (at 425#) and shares a gear drive, slip clutch w/ the TG-48. The TG-48 has the slight offset but I don't believe that is really necessary given that my rear tire spread is 48". Would the additional 175# of the TG-48 as compared to the XB present a problem given my lack of forward weight? Might even the XB? If even the XB might present a problem, how much weight might I need to add to the front for the XB? Ditto, the TG-48?I'm not a welder. Is there an easy way to add weight up front - e.g., bolt-on weights? Thanks in advance for your input and thoughts.

 

[bp fick]

First, as one who has pulled a middle buster through soft furrows and soil and pulls a cultivator through the same, I don't personally think the front weight issue is that big of a deal. 4 wheel drive is. I don't care for working in the dirt with my FEL on anyhow, as it gets in the way at the fence lines. Now that I have gotten good at removing/re-installing it, I doubt I will again.

Get which ever tiller suits your fancy. Give it a whirl. It's garden time! I wouldn't let the lack of front weights overwhelm my thought process, until or unless it becomes as issue. My guess is you'll do very, very well with no issues of needing front weight.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

First, as one who has pulled a middle buster through soft furrows and soil and pulls a cultivator through the same, I don't personally think the front weight issue is that big of a deal. 4 wheel drive is. I don't care for working in the dirt with my FEL on anyhow, as it gets in the way at the fence lines. Now that I have gotten good at removing/re-installing it, I doubt I will again.

Get which ever tiller suits your fancy. Give it a whirl. It's garden time! I wouldn't let the lack of front weights overwhelm my thought process, until or unless it becomes as issue. My guess is you'll do very, very well with no issues of needing front weight.

I agree. When you drop tiller into ground front weight won't mean anything and it should transport OK with the tractor weight.

 

[Grandad4]

Your B7500 should handle either tiller with no major problems. The only situation I could think of where more weight on the front would help is if you are working a garden, etc., with some slope to it. Going uphill, for example, you might find the front gets a bit light. Considering where you are located, though, I'd guess you're going to be working on pretty level ground.

 

[Reg]

I would go with the heavier tiller.
As others have said, once down on/in the soil your tractor isn't carrying it.
Just drive carefully while carrying it, your steering could get a bit light.

Also, it is a forward rotating tiller, so it tends to push the tractor in very low gears and hold it back slightly in higher gears.

WRT bolt on weight at/near the front of the tractor; Do you have any sort of grille guard ?
The sort that is formed as a hoop of say 2 inch by 3/8 or so steel that outlines the sheet metal around the front.
That usually bolts to the front of the frame rails and is a good place to bolt whatever you can find.
It is important to keep any added weight LOW, for stability.

 

[radioman]

Your tractor is heavier and bigger then my BX. I use a 4' bushhog brand tiller with out the FEL just fine and my garden is on a hill . I wouldn't heisitate to get a 5'er if you wanted to.
When I use my tiller, I prefer the FEL off to make it easier to turn around, and Never really feel I needed weight. I did use tiller with FEL few times, it helps with steering but not needed. You don't need to steer much in tilling anyhow.

 

[dennisgw]

I have the XB 48" tiller and have never had any issues with weight or balance. FEL does get in the way at times so mostly till with it off. XB is sturdy enough for most folks I think.

 

[TripleR]

I use a Land Pride RTR0550 without a FEL on my BX2660 and have no problems with weight, steering or anything; no additional weight needed for me at least and my tractor is smaller than yours.

 

[Reg]

WRT removing a FEL to til;
You could just take the bucket off for maneuverability.
As to whether you would want the bucket ON for hauling away the surprise rocks ?
Yeah, even after 36 years they're still growing here and I don't think they will stop in the next 36 - not that I will care about them that much by then (-:

 

[Jon Chanoski]

I ran the 600lb 4ft kingkutter tiller on my B7610 with no trouble at all no weight on the front at all. Just watch tilling down hill if get into some shale like I did it will take you for a ride at 540rpm even in 4x4 low range.