Tiller What attachments? Tiller? BB?

[Staghead]

I am going to be getting either a JD 2305 or 2320 soon. One of the jobs I hope to accomplish is to landscape/garden most of our 1 and 1/2 acre lot. This includes clearing buckthorn, leveling the ground and putting in some small gardens and walkways (not much grass). The soil is black dirt that is fairly loose.

Would a tiller be a good option for this? There are quite a few trees. I have recently cut down several elm that we lost to elm disease so there is an extensive root system throughout the lot.

 

[RonR]

Lot of opinions on this. I have a BB, Tiller, and a homemade harrow. Our ground is CLAY, so a tiller is nice.

Honestly, I use my BB most for rear ballast when moving dirt with the FEL.

Guess it depends on how much you want to spend. Tillers are expensive. You could buy/build a cultivator thing cheaper than a tiller. Tillers do it one time/fast though. So its a tradeoff.

Ron

 

[Staghead]

Time really isn't an issue. Basically if I can work up the ground a few inches deep to be able to plant seeds and flowers (and grass in some areas) that is all I really need. I forgot and leveling the area.

 

[jbrumberg]

Staghead:

Welcome to TBN ! I would look at your percentage of intended use/need. If you need to do a lot of ground surface leveling and root removal I would go with the BB and possibly a landscape rake. If the root system is not too extensive, your ground surface is not too uneven/rough and your focus is gardens and walkways I would go with the tiller. As many of us here at TBN love to spend everyone else's money I recommend that you buy both . I am still "working" "She Who Must Be Obeyed" for a BB. TBN has given me many, many "reasons"/justifications for the BB, but the comptroller has not been convinced at this point . Jay

 

[wilkesland]

I am going to be getting either a JD 2305 or 2320 soon. One of the jobs I hope to accomplish is to landscape/garden most of our 1 and 1/2 acre lot. This includes clearing buckthorn, leveling the ground and putting in some small gardens and walkways (not much grass). The soil is black dirt that is fairly loose.

Would a tiller be a good option for this? There are quite a few trees. I have recently cut down several elm that we lost to elm disease so there is an extensive root system throughout the lot.

Can you rent a tiller at a local equipment rental and try it out?

I have a tiller, plow and landscape rake and I use all three - but if I could only have one for gardening it would be the tiller. The plow is useful in getting deep and breaking the clay up to where I can get at it with the tiller - but that doesn't sound like an issue you have. If you can rent one, you will find out how well it will work for you, and potentially save a bunch of money.

Barry