Woods Tiller on a BX23

bam · Aug 18, 2004

Well, after about 1.5 months of waiting, my Woods tiller is expected to be delivered, finally!

Is there any information that you can share with me to make the first use go smoothly?

My soil appears to contain numerous small stones, about 1/4 the size of ones fist. I'm a little worried that the stones may create problems with the tiller. I figured I would start shallow and slowly work deeper into the soil, the more I become comfortable with the unit.

theboman · Aug 18, 2004

Prepare to cut the PTC.

bam · Aug 18, 2004

I believe it is the GTC40 that was ordered (don't have the info with me now), though I believe it is designed for the BX.

DannyD · Aug 18, 2004

My KK 48 would just beat them up, granted it has some dents from the ones that have been thru the tiller, but nothing has ever stopped it. I would not let fist sized ones thru it if I knew they were there, but I am sure it has happened, they became thumbnail sized.

bam · Aug 20, 2004

Your correct, the woods tiller shaft does require cutting, though in this case, my dealer cut it prior to delivery.

Tiller was just delivered and the driver was nice enough to spend some time with me explaining how to use it.

Doesn't appear to be too complicated. One adjustment location, hook it up and start tilling.

I plan on using the tiller to help soften up the ground prior to using the loader.

Looks like I'll digging in the dirt tomorrow!

DaveInColorado · Aug 20, 2004

I have a similar tiller - Land Pride 36". It is fine with fist-sized rocks - just throws them out the back. It hops up when it hits football-size rocks. At least I can find them that way! The tractor (BX1500) hardly knows the tiller is there. I'm usually about 1/2 throttle when running the tiller to keep the speed down. It is a great tool! It leaves a nice smooth even strip when I' in good dirt and not in clay or rocks. It was darn expensive and I don't know that it was a wise move for the amount of time that I'll be using it, but I suppose I can get some of my $$$ out of it someday - maybe never. A rental tiller that will do what this one will do is $200/day. Another couple of days of use and it will have paid for itself.

bam · Aug 20, 2004

I just learned a valuable lesson tonight. Got the great idea of moving the tiller from the sloped area the delivery guy left it. Hooked a chain up to the tiller and to the center hook on my loader and started to lift it. Pulled the left rear tire off the ground! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I decided that it's current location is just fine for now! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Guess I'll either try to hook it up in it's present location or move it when I hook the backhoe back up.

I never would have thought the weight of the tiller out in front of the tractor would make the BX so unstable. This must be why everyone says to use counter weight when using your loader /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DaveInColorado · Aug 20, 2004

Yes, very heavy. These things are difficult to install on a slope by yourself. If I was doing it I would connect up enough of the 3-pt hitch to get it off the ground then carefully move it, drag it, whatever it takes to get it to a level spot. Your next task is to make a spot in your trees or barn where you keep it!

If you get a SO or BDU on the tractor they can throttle it into the tiller when needed to get that final bit on the 2nd arm in place so you can slide the pin home. Once you get the sides the top is easy. I think I can install mine in a couple of minutes if I leave it in a good location where there's just enough slope from tractor to tiller that the tractor sits still in neutral and I can roll it by hand into position towards the tiller. We're only talking about a couple of inches that I move it by hand.