Tiller Tiller. Walk behind vs 3ph

[pickeringchris]

Because you can do it in 2 hours with a 20 inch tiller. That size garden would be a several hour job in my neighborhood for the first tilling of the spring when the soil is packed down from the winter.

Maybe 2 hours was a little optimistic.
I do have very high organic matter and the sand prevents compaction.

 

[bigtiller]

The horsepower question is one that has puzzled me also; and it doesn't just pertain to tillers either, look at chippers, etc., etc. Seems like most PTO powered implements come with a suggested/recommended HP. But...It's never exactly specified as to whether they mean "engine" or "PTO". I wonder if that's just a manufacture ploy to get you to call and inquire?
Like the OP states, I'd like to know just what PTO power is required to operate (effectively) any implement offered for sale.
Greg

I use the PTO Hp ratings. My 2305 has a 24 Hp engine and 18 Hp at the PTO. It doesn't sound like much difference but put into a percentage number it is a big deal.

 

[jenkinsph]

Maybe 2 hours was a little optimistic.
I do have very high organic matter and the sand prevents compaction.

For a small plot such as yours I suspect the Honda tiller you have is practical. If you had other needs for a larger 3ph tiller then I would use it initially each year and till between the rows with the smaller Honda.

A subsoiler would be the better addition as you mentioned, just make sure your tractor can handle it.

 

[WilliamBos]

If you are planting anything, unless you are planning on 60" rows, keep the Honda so you can till between them.

 

[DK35vince]

Your CK 27 should have no problem with a 60" tiller.
I recommend a 60" King Kutter II.

 

[pickeringchris]

I don't have rows.
I have 1 plant per 1000 sq'

 

[pickeringchris]

The big ugly guy on the left in both pics is me.

 

[pickeringchris]

The KK II. Looks like a stout unit. very reasonably priced.
Can't find a dealer in Canada And shipping would be crazy.
You know know of a dealer within 1 hour or so of buffalo ny?

 

[JoeBuyer]

I have a 3 pt Agric as well as a old 6hp Troybilt Horse rear tine, a large 8 hp BCS rear tine, an old 5 hp John Deere 524 front tine, an old Troy Bilt 3 hp front tine cultivator and two small Honda FC 110s. Of course I have three gardens in two locations and prep for 5 families, but I would not give up any of them. As previously mentioned, each has it's own use. The 3 pt is used in fall and spring, the two rear tines are used when the garden is starting and the plants are small yet weeds in full force. The little Hondas are used when the weeds have slowed down and the plants are larger, spreading into the rows.

 

[wcampbell47]

I garden in So. Texas gumbo which is now similar to concrete with the on going drought. My 48" PTO tiller is a life saver. At 64 I will not even think about chasing a tiller over my 35 x 70 garden. I can do in about 20 minutes what would take hours with a walk behind. Time is one of the most valuable assets you own. Go for the PTO tiller.

 

[TimberXX]

I garden in So. Texas gumbo which is now similar to concrete with the on going drought. My 48" PTO tiller is a life saver. At 64 I will not even think about chasing a tiller over my 35 x 70 garden. I can do in about 20 minutes what would take hours with a walk behind. Time is one of the most valuable assets you own. Go for the PTO tiller.

You use a PTO tiller in a 35 x 70 garden, I would think that would be too small of a garden for such a machine. What kind of tractor do you have?

 

[IXLR8]

Another thought, see if you can rent a 3pt tiller. There is a rental place about 40 minutes from me that I can rent a 5' tiller for $50/day, $300/week. I have trouble justifying the expense of buying when I plan on using it just once per year to break things up. I plan on gardening for the next 15 years, over all cheaper to rent than to buy.. assuming the rental place stays in business. I don't have to worry about storing it or maintaining it. Although I do have the hassle of getting/returning it.
Another idea for you to consider.

 

[wcampbell47]

You use a PTO tiller in a 35 x 70 garden, I would think that would be too small of a garden for such a machine. What kind of tractor do you have?

I have been using a B7510 (21hp) with a 48" tiller. The previous owner of the lot where my garden is tried using a walk behind. After 4 hours of tilling they had a 10'x10' area tilled about 2" deep.

I am in So. Texas with an ongoing drought. We are 20" behind in normal rainfall. It recently took me 4 hours to till a garden about 30 x 70 to six inches. I had to add about 200 lbs of weight to hold the tiller down to get down 6".

Think what you may - I would not even have attempted that with a walk behind.

 

[leonz]

Thanks guys. Speed is not really an issue for me. I can till down to 6-8" with my Honda in one pass. If I was to sell the Honda and buy a 3ph tiller I'd likely be in the hole around $1000. If the difference in quality was only marginal it would not be worth it.
I do plan on buying a Fred Cain subsoiler. From my Internet research I hear that is about the best one.
Weiss, I can't find anything for them on google.

You can google Weise industries or look in one of my old posts for the link

 

[bigtiller]

You use a PTO tiller in a 35 x 70 garden, I would think that would be too small of a garden for such a machine. What kind of tractor do you have?

You reminded me of a vegetable garden I tilled once for a new customer that made me chuckle. The garden was 6 feet square.

I have also done a lot of 12x20 gardens. But that 6 footer, I have been chuckling about that one for several years now.

 

[pickeringchris]

I garden in So. Texas gumbo which is now similar to concrete with the on going drought. My 48" PTO tiller is a life saver. At 64 I will not even think about chasing a tiller over my 35 x 70 garden. I can do in about 20 minutes what would take hours with a walk behind. Time is one of the most valuable assets you own. Go for the PTO tiller.

I'm all for ya! Machines are made to make our life easier. If you have the money and buying a pto tiller is gonna save the old joints and back then why not. Nothing wrong with doing this.
To be honest I didn't even need a tractor. I could continue moving truck loads of dirt by wheel barrow. Truth is, I have some back and knee problems that will thank the tractor. Not to mention the time saved.

 

[Baby Grand]

Nice punkins, by the way. Look like they could swallow a small child whole!

 

[pickeringchris]

Nice punkins, by the way. Look like they could swallow a small child whole!

Hahaha. They can swallow a few children.

 

[Deere Dude]

I have a 5 HP walk behind and a 3pt 42" hydraulic tiller behind a large garden tractor. It takes a while to attach the 3PT tiller but the time saved using that is considerable. If it was just a matter the time difference saved I probably wouldn't even hook it up, but the job is incredibly better using the 3PT. The walk behind ends up with clumps where the 3pt makes the garden almost powder smooth and makes it more enjoyable working in the garden with little bitty seeds.

 

[pickeringchris]

I just listed my Honda tiller for sale. I can't justify keeping both. Nor can I afford it.
If I can get a decent buck for the Honda I will consider a KK II.