Who makes a good rototiller ?

[Glowplug]

The CCM SR210 is a 1,188 LBS beast for $2,700. You will have to spend 2 times the money to get an equivalent Maschio or Howard.

Yeah I know. I have been eyeballing that exact tiller for a year and a half now. I would've already had it if it wasn't for the ever so inconvenient unexpected expense that pops up. Heck, I was looking at that tiller when it was $2,350! I better get it soon before you guys bump it up over 3 grand!!

 

[Cyberroc]

there's a reasonable limit to just "how good" something needs to be for the task at hand.

I can see how it would be considered overkill for most non-comerical applications, however with the possible need of having to fully scape 20+ acres at one property we may purchase, knowing the hours I would be putting in, I would rather have something overbuilt than under.

So I would agree to a point, that point would be... the point when I could justify purchasing it. Not sure when I could justify $9k though, that's enough $$ to look at upgrading tractor right there...
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[Glowplug]

So I would agree to a point, that point would be... the point when I could justify purchasing it. Not sure when I could justify $9k though, that's enough $$ to look at upgrading tractor right there...
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But then when you upgrade you will be required to purchase a $12,000 tiller!!

 

[Cyberroc]

But then when you upgrade you will be required to purchase a $12,000 tiller!!

Yes, but as a board memeber of the 'must have bigger better tools' company, it would only be $3,000 more than I was going to spend, and I have a bigger tractor.

It's a Win - Win in my book!
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[Rara Avis]

Yes, but as a board memeber of the 'must have bigger better tools' company, it would only be $3,000 more than I was going to spend, and I have a bigger tractor.

It's a Win - Win in my book!
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Then one these must be the unit you are looking for...
Beaver Valley Supply Company - Howard Rotavators/Tillers

ITEM # DESCRIPTION WEIGHT PRICE
HR700-255D 100" Howard Rotovator 2750 lbs. $36,314
HR700-305D 120" Howard Rotovator 3080 lbs. $38,608
HR700-355D 140" Howard Rotovator 3410 lbs. $40,464
HR700-405D 160" Howard Rotovator 3740 lbs. $42,367
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE SETUP OR SHIPPING - PRICED FOB FACTORY
UPDATED 7/03/08

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I can see how it would be considered overkill for most non-comerical applications, however with the possible need of having to fully scape 20+ acres at one property we may purchase, knowing the hours I would be putting in, I would rather have something overbuilt than under.

So I would agree to a point, that point would be... the point when I could justify purchasing it. Not sure when I could justify $9k though, that's enough $$ to look at upgrading tractor right there...
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That's why I said "task at hand". MOST people aren't using a tiller in a full time commercial application. A $9000 tiller would probably be about $7000 over-kill in those cases.

Even with a full blown commercial application, you have to look at what's available for UNDER $9000 and how good they CAN be. I bought my KK II tiller 7-1/2 years ago while I was still farming. I used it to work up several hayfields I was reseeding. It went over 30+ acres, 2 times, with a tiller "rated" at 40 max behind a 60 hp tractor, and didn't so much as whimper. Since, it's been used a LOT. Enough to wear out one complete set of tines and well on the way to wearing out a second set. And we're talking about one of, if not THE lowest priced tiller out there. And that's what I'm talking about when I question just how "great" good enough needs to be. If "average" is more than sufficient, spending 4 times as much to get what is percieved as just a little bit better isn't always practical.

USUALLY, more expensive means higher quality. But not always. USUALLY higher quality means better/longer performance. But not always. USUALLY, lower end products don't perform like the upper end models. But not always.

And more often than not, spending extra dollars for a "premium brand" doesn't get you what it should. There is that occasional "great buy". Spending 300% to 400% more to get something that may be 5% or 10% "better" isn't always the best money spent, especially when the low end of the price range MAY be far more than adaquate.

I'd LOVE to own a Howard Rotovator. All things being equal, I'd rather have a tiller that'll do anything I ever ask, and have $7000 left in the bank. I'm usually the first person to advocate using heavy duty (and with that, heavy pricetags) implements. Especially so when using them in a commercial application. But there are exceptions. I DON'T advocate the use of cheap "throw-away" items as a cost saver. Down time and long term cost eat up any percieved savings in short order. But when "cheap" is so very near "expensive" in quality and performance, you have to consider all options. Tying up resourses (money) in an expensive item when a less expensive item will do the job just as well, is a waste in my book.

 

[BJN644]

Looks like the King Kutter is the way to go. It is the lowest price unit I could find in my area and sounds like it's pretty tough to boot!

Thanks to all that replied.

 

[Glowplug]

Hey it looks like that Howard Rotavator HR600S-205S would work on my tractor, albeit a bit heavy. I could propose that idea to my wife at $16,638!! When she freaks out I could say, "Well I guess I could try to 'get by' with the CCM tiller for $2,700". All things being relative I could maybe have me an excellent tiller!

 

[hernando]

i bought a rome plow co . tiller 15 yrs ago..still going strong...i wore out the blades and replaced them once..never broke a tine..and i have hit hidden man hole covers ,,rocks ,,stunps you name it.. i have used this to install new lawns,,till gardens...food plots..not sure if it was made by rome plow or not but that is the name tag on it,,i dont think they sell them anymore ..if they do i would not think twice about buying another... i use it in my bussiness so i have to have something that will be ready when it is needed...this thing is tough..not real pretty anymore but reliable...thanks for letting me ramble on...bruce

 

[White Shark]

Howard "ROTOVATORS" are the best. At least their upper end models. Like EVERYONE these days, they offer watered down, lower priced units at various price points. But their premium models have ALL the bells and whistles. Buy one and use it for a lifetime. Howard builds "tillers" (They don't like to call theirs "tillers") in sizes that dwarf most common brands. I've seen one 15'er in action behind a 175hp tractor at the Farm Progress Show several years back.

x10.

I own and run a 60" Howard Rotovator, and I wouldn't ever consider buying anything else. I've run mine hard and it's held up like a champ. Buy it right the first time and never have to again.


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