How to pick a tiller

[Ffphil]

Hey all, I have a YT359 60hp tractor and am looking to buy my first tiller. Don't let the size of the tractor fool you, I am a greenhorn. I have found a used RSB 1500 and RSB 1503 both for about $800. I only need it for the wifes garden and don't have any plans beyond that yet. I am searching the past post but would appreciate any direct input. Also I heard from a local dealer you need to size the drive line from the tractor to the tiller? Any thoughts here or how to knowledge? Thanks Phil

 

[jeff9366]

I heard from a local dealer you need to size the drive line from the tractor to the tiller? Any thoughts here or how to knowledge? Thanks Phil

The length of the telescoping PTO shaft sometimes needs to be shortened to fit your model tractor on all PTO-powered implements.

When you go into a swale the shaft will telescope shorter. Shaft needs to shorten without bottoming out.

When you crest a ridge, shaft will telescope longer. Must be long enough so two sections do not separate. If shafts separate, inboard end can kill you as it swings @ 540 rpm.


Multitude of videos on you-tube showing how to evaluate and cut PTO shafts.

 

[CADplans]

The length of the telescoping PTO shaft sometimes needs to be shortened to fit your model tractor on all PTO-powered implements.

With a used tiller,, the PO could possibly have SHORTENED the PTO shaft,,
so you may need to purchase a new one to get enough length,,,

That could easily add $300 to your $800 purchase price.

I know my 60HP tractor has L O N G three point hitch arms,, and I always need a long PTO shaft,,,

 

[Ffphil]

What size tiller do you run? I am assuming having extra HP is less of a problem than having too much?

 

[Ffphil]

Thanks I will look those up.

 

[Ffphil]

Can someone explain forward and reverse tilling and what that means to me?

 

[jeff9366]

Can someone explain forward and reverse tilling and what that means to me?

Forward rotating tillers are 90% of tiller market. Forward rotating tiller tines push tractor forward so they require only a small amount of tractor power.

Reverse rotation tillers are a small portion of the tiller market. Primarily used for "breaking" new ground, eliminating need for a turning plow. Reverse rotation tines pull against tractor forward progress, therefore dig in more. Heavier built. Weight helps penetration. Needs 35% to 50% more PTO horsepower for same tiller width, relative to forward rotation tillers.


Some Kubota/Land Pride tillers can be changed from forward to reverse tine rotation.

 

[Ffphil]

Thanks Jeff. Guess I need to update my profile. I graduated from the old 22hp Hinnamoto to Yanmar YT359C 65hp.

 

[rangerfredbob]

65hp should open up many options, my brother has some 55hp tractors and a 7' or 8' Northwest tiller (that thing is a beast, pretty sure it's near 2000lb) and it works on soil after the top has been cut, I think that's what he's doing... tiller is a little overkill but he got a killer deal on it...

The PTO length is important, the shaft on my finish mower was too short when I got it and it decoupled, conveniently it just stalled my little tractor and didn't even hurt the shaft... fixed the issue by installing a one way clutch which adds like 5" to the PTO length...

 

[Ffphil]

Does anyone have experience with Maschio tillers? I am looking at A180 or H185. It seems the 65hp of my tractor is a bit much for most tillers. The dealers around here will sell woods, landpride, frontier for about $2800 but they seem to be on the edge of just big enough. Im afraid the tractor will damage the running gear. Any thoughts?

 

[rangerfredbob]

If you are always working the same garden plot with no roots or rocks in it, the risk is low, you aren't working hundreds of acres for production. If a slip clutch is involved, keep it working and you'd probably be fine.

 

[countrybumpkin]

You only have 52 hp at the pto , a quality brand tiller with slip clutch adjusted properly will be fine.

 

[oosik]

Just a thought here. Back in the day we had a garden. 80 X 140 And it was fenced. I had a 4WD Ford 1700 then. I had a single bottom moldboard plow. I was able to get into this garden site and break the virgin ground with the tractor and moldboard plow.

I backed into the garden plot. Forward with plow down - back with plow up. It became very obvious that the tractor and a PTO rototiller would never do.

I bought a Troy Bilt 8 hp rototiller. It worked great for the 15 or so years we gardened.

I could have used a PTO driven rototiller if the garden would not have been fenced. Just make my turns outside the garden plot.

 

[Trillium Farm]

there are different types of tiller, I'm assuming you are talking about a "Rotary Tiller" you 60hp machine ought to be able to handle either one, but if clay I'd chose the smaller of the 2.

 

[Sonny580]

I have used my King-Kutter 72" tiller on tractors from 20 hp(not successful but will work) to tractors of 80 HP. ---KK says 40 is the limit, BUT when you have ground to cover----well go big power. I ran the KK full depth low range on a souped up IH 706 and the slip clutch will prevent damage to the tiller. ---I know my ground and there is nothing to hit, so I might get brave on my ground.
If you have around 50 hp, you can run a 72" tiller with no problems. ---I wouldn't recommend a long pto shaft either!--you need to look into a set of shorter lift arms for tiller use.

 

[countrybumpkin]

there are different types of tiller, I'm assuming you are talking about a "Rotary Tiller" you 60hp machine ought to be able to handle either one, but if clay I'd chose the smaller of the 2.

He’s more worried about too much power damaging the tiller.

 

[JohnnyMX]

I got a reverse tiller when I got the MX. Plenty of power to pull it. Things (weeds, roots, grasses) like to get wrapped up on mine in new ground. I don't think I understood how badly they get beat up when breaking new ground with rocks, roots, etc. My Land Pride is already bent or misshapen in areas from rocks. Get as heavy duty as you can if you plan on breaking ground in less than ideal situations. Tilling your grass you've mowed for years doesn't count. That's a piece of cake. Dealer said reverse would get my plots going faster.
This is the main differences I thought about.
Forward vs. Reverse
Gear vs. Chain
Slip Clutch vs. Shear Bolt
Heavy Duty vs. Good Enough
# of tines & shape

 

[Gator6x4]

Go here and view the Everything Attachments video on how to measure and cut a PTO shaft. Figure five horsepower for every foot of width for a PTO Tiller. Example 7 foot wide, 35 PTO horsepower required. Be sure and get a tiller with a slip clutch and make sure it slips. everything attachment on how to cut and measure a pto shaft - Google Search

How to adjust a slip clutch.

everything attachment on how to adjust a slipclutch - Google Search

 

[powerscol]

Weight is your friend when it comes to tiller. I do not like revers rotations ones as they tend to throw things at the tractor and you. If it just for the garden and once a year usage then take a look at your local AGG rental place, They also may have used ones for sale. I got my Ansuug (see ny signature) that way. Its a 50+ rated HP tiller and I am easily running it with 26hp pto. Also you will want the width to be wider then your rear tire stance. Hope this helps

 

[Ffphil]

Thank you all for your input. I ended up buying a Frontier 3070 front rotation from my local JD dealer. The green doesn’t look too bad with the red tractor. A real stout looking machine at half the cost of some of the others I was looking at. I did learn how to measure and cut the PTO shaft from Everything Attachment video. I will search them for how to adjust the slip clutch. So much to learn. Hoping we will have a stretch of good weather this week so I can test it out.