yanmar tiller

[mark777]

Great link!......For our naysayers - on one of those pages there is a photo of a small tractor running in water/mud up to the front wheel hubs. See: Page 25

That looks like a tiller attached.
...........

This is amazing....I always thought (assumed) that the tillers were used and nearly submerged during certain stages of rice farming in Japan. I've looked at my own links, others pictures and the closest so far is California's link...but still it's not the "Smoking Gun" kind of proof that would challenge Mickey's response.

I was certain I saw, or had a picture that would prove the tillers actually till under water...but now I'm not so sure.

Mark

 

[dirt clod]

WellI guess one of these yanmars wont work for me.
I have no idea how I would ever get 6" of water in my feilds to till it

 

[normde2001]

This is amazing....I always thought (assumed) that the tillers were used and nearly submerged during certain stages of rice farming in Japan. I've looked at my own links, others pictures and the closest so far is California's link...but still it's not the "Smoking Gun" kind of proof that would challenge Mickey's response.

I was certain I saw, or had a picture that would prove the tillers actually till under water...but now I'm not so sure.

Mark

I doubt that Yanmar ever saw a need to photograph their tillers working under water; however, I can't imagine any other reason to be operating tractors in flooded rice paddies, (or for multiple pto speeds), of which we have tons of proof. My front wheel bearing dust cups are even sealed waterproof.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

This thread has certianly gotten off track but interesting none the less.

From those that believe tillers are used under water, can you explane the reason for tilling a mud puddle? What does it do other than make up more mud. Remember this is about tilling in/under water and not the use of a tractor in the water.

For those that are really familiar with the Yanmar tractors and tillers, can you tell me why they have gone to the trouble of the electronic controls to control tiller depth or even the gauge wheels on the back of the tiller. In the mud the gauge wheels wouldn't support the weight of the tiller, they'd just sink in. Why are there grease fitting for the trailing wheels, mounted somewhat low and no seals of any kind. Some of the tillers use the drag flap in back mechanically connected to the tractor draft control to precisly control tiller depth. Again why would they do this and how could it work in the mud you've just turned up?

Lastly I've written to the person who's web site I posted that followed the farming of rice in Japan for clarification. Will have to see if they respond.

 

[scrinch]

Rice paddies are allowed to dry out prior to harvest and then are kept dry until the next planting season. The soil can get dried and cracked during this season. Just before planting, the paddies are reflooded. At that point the paddy can be like water on concrete, though. The tiller is used to loosen up the concrete and turn it into goey mud again so that the little 12" rice seedlings can be pushed down into the muck and planted. In parts of the world where Yanmar tillers aren't available, water buffaloes (or other animals, including the human kind) are led around and around the paddies to slowly mix water back into the soil to create muck. (Okay, I haven't read an of this so I'm not an authority...just observed rice farming up close over a number of years in Indonesia. I don't know how many rice paddies I've had to walk through throughout the growing season...thousands, probably. BTW, you walk on the dirt levees, not through the muck.)

 

[HGM]

WellI guess one of these yanmars wont work for me.
I have no idea how I would ever get 6" of water in my feilds to till it

I use mine in hard, unbroken ground... These things are tough, dont rule them out because of the "made for mud" idea.. It may be true, but like I said, they are tough..

When I bought my tractor, I got a tiller(RS1400) for $500.. I also bought the O/R clutch for the brush hog and had to cut the mower shaft to fit.. Not knowhing any better, and rushing into it, I cut the tiller shaft too .. I cut 1" off.. It still works fine and will till to 6" w/ no problem.. It's only got a little room left, but even at its deepest, I have stopped the tractor and tiller to check it and I have about 1/2"-1" remaining on the slip yoke.. BTW, I read here a while back about using spreader shafts for these tillers.. They recomended getting one and cutting it to size since they are modernized with new joints, greese fittings, and a sheer pin..

 

[mark777]

Rice paddies are allowed to dry out prior to harvest and then are kept dry until the next planting season. The soil can get dried and cracked during this season. Just before planting, the paddies are reflooded.....

Scrinch, This seems like the most logical explanation of all.

 

[Eddie]

BTW, I read here a while back about using spreader shafts for these tillers.. They recomended getting one and cutting it to size since they are modernized with new joints, greese fittings, and a sheer pin..

Due to my turf tires being larger than the Rice and Cane tires, I had to modify my hitch to move it back from the tractor. Of course then my drive shaft was too short. I went to Tractor Supply and got a spreader drive shaft and cut it to the right length. They do work just fine. Now to repaint all my modifications.

 

[buppy69]

Those oversize turfs make for one tough looking tractor, but those wimpy front ones have got to go!

Eugene

 

[Eddie]

Those oversize turfs make for one tough looking tractor, but those wimpy front ones have got to go!

Eugene

Man, Them's Volkswagon tires on the front