Tiller Which size tiller?

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I have a John Deere 4200 with hydro transmission (approximately 28 overall HP). My property has a fair amount of clay (as does the entire county here). Would a tiller in the neighborhood of a 60" width be the best way for me to go?

 

[PhilVA]

Gary,

The Land Pride Tiller (RTA20 series) is a medium duty tiller that is rated for tractors 23-40 HP and may be worth looking at. Landpride states that horsepower range can handle up to a 72 inch tiller.

Phil

 

[StanInCalif]

Just right, Gary. Or if you find a deal on a 55", that should cover your tracks also, if your wheels are not reversed. BTW, you can save a lot of wear and tear on a tiller by scarifying first with the teeth on the box scraper.

 

[Cdash]

I run a 60" KK tiller on my 4100. I can't go full depth on virgin soil on the first pass without lugging, but it tears up the soil so darn quick that I want to go over it 3 times just to get the seat time in. I have some pretty hard clay myself. The first year with the tiller was kind of tough, but I have a feeling the garden will be nicer to it this year.

I would expect you'd be fine. I would have went smaller, but couldn't justify spending more for less since a KK 48" costs more than a 60".

 

[HayDR]

Gary,
With the presence of clay you best stay with the 55-60" tillers. The HST feature on your tractor will allow you to go slow enough for the proper operating speed to maximize your HP.

 

[boustany]

I have an L3010 (32 HP), and a 48" tiller. Most tillers can be side shifted to you can be sure you can cover one wheel track, so you don't need a big one to cover your tracks. Its unbelievable how much tilling you can do and how fast you can do it with one of these, so you usually don't have to get a big one for productivity. What can take days with a walk behind takes an hour with a 3pt. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Clay will be hard on the tractor and the bigger the tiller the bigger the load. I'm happy with my 48 incher, you might consider getting a smaller one.

 

[Hoeman00]

I ran a 74" Bushhog tiller w/ L2900 Kubota.
Worked good even in rocky clay sod (my yard).
Works even better w/ NH TC35D .

 

[barticus73]

I run a 60" King Kutter II gear drive tiller on my 27 hp 7272 Cub Cadet tractor. I have tilled approximately 12 acres in the year that I have had it and couldn't be happier.

Jerry

 

[rationalizer]

Gary,

I just bought a First Choice 74" tiller for use behind my JD4710 (40+ hp on the PTO with my hydro tranny). I have heavy clay on my property - and spent about 8 hours last weekend tilling 5 acres. I had the tiller set for full depth - so the tractor got a good workout. I would not go any higher than 60". Keep an eye on your temp gauge - a few times I had to disengage the PTO and let things cool down for a bit...

Get a slip clutch!

I am really happy with my First Choice tiller.

BTW - I had many conversations with Mark at CCM and - while I didn't buy tiller from him - he was super helpful. In fact - he wouldn't let me buy the "wrong tiller"

Bill