Asking for advice on using a rental 3ph tiller for a first-time user

[Fallon]

1 - Gannon Scraper Box Shank w Scarifier Tooth & Clip - H920 , 8075 , K1306 | eBay I think is the place I got scarfiers for my ancient non-rollover Gannon. They have various sets of shanks, teeth & clips.

A box blade. Especially a Gannon will be stronger than a land plane. But unless you are dealing with really big rocks it shouldn't matter. Ripping with scarfiers or a subsoiler will make tilling go WAY easier. The tiller will jump & bang a lot on hard ground or rocks.

The rule of thumb is PTO shaft length should overlap between 1/3 & 2/3 of the shaft length. To short & it flies apart or strips out the end of the shaft like rounding off a screw head. To long & the shaft gets jammed into the tractor or impliment gearbox breaking bearings, housings or something else expensive.

 

[Fallon]

If it is sod now, the land plane will be difficult to use, as it will carry a lot of sod with it. What have you got to lose by using the roll-over. If the teeth are spaced so that it doesn't pull you to one side, use it.

Scarfiers on a box blade vs land plane will be the same. You just want the scarfiers in the ground for ripping, not the blades on the LPGS or a box blade. Shorten up the toplink to angle the impliments scarfiers dig in without the blades behind catching dirt or grass.

 

[Williy]

The hook $34.95 https://www.amazon.com/osemar-Harbor-Freight-Quick-Hitch/dp/B08W4X6TJT
Harbor Freight $140 3-Point Quick Hitch - 27-3/16 In. Clearance

DON'T KNOW IF STILL GOOD

willy

 

[jgoodma1]

1 - Gannon Scraper Box Shank w Scarifier Tooth & Clip - H920 , 8075 , K1306 | eBay I think is the place I got scarfiers for my ancient non-rollover Gannon. They have various sets of shanks, teeth & clips.

A box blade. Especially a Gannon will be stronger than a land plane. But unless you are dealing with really big rocks it shouldn't matter. Ripping with scarfiers or a subsoiler will make tilling go WAY easier. The tiller will jump & bang a lot on hard ground or rocks.

The rule of thumb is PTO shaft length should overlap between 1/3 & 2/3 of the shaft length. To short & it flies apart or strips out the end of the shaft like rounding off a screw head. To long & the shaft gets jammed into the tractor or impliment gearbox breaking bearings, housings or something else expensive.

Thank you for this info. I found a couple of videos on YouTube that illustrate what you're talking about. Earlier in this thread, it was recommended that I use a slip clutch. Looked that up on YouTube too and that seems like a very smart move for a rookie like me too.

 

[jgoodma1]

The PTO length will dictate if it will work on your machine. Too long of a PTO shaft will either make it impossible to attach, or when you lift it up, the shaft will destroy your tractor as it gets shoved into the housing. Too short of a PTO shaft, it will make it impossible to attach, or potentially not have enough shaft to handle the loading. Measure carefully.

A working slipper clutch on the PTO is what prevents damage to your tractor. Make sure to always check it before running a ground engaging implement such as a tiller. If there appears to be rust, loosen the bolts with the springs, then slowly turn the PTO to burnish the clutch to get the rust off, the just snug the bolts up.

Start the tiller with it out of the soil, then slowly bring it down then use low gear to begin forward travel.

A reasonably built tiller should be able to handle rocks, especially if it's one that is designed for HP ranges between 25-50 PTO HP. See if the rental company offers insurance.

Thanks very much. I looked up PTO shaft sizing on YouTube and also the slip clutch and I understand now what you're talking about. It really sounds like I should buy my own PTO shaft and put a slip clutch on it and size it to the tiller once I've rented it to be on the safe side, and then I'll have them for the future too. Does the slip clutch just snap onto the implement end of the PTO shaft, and then the implement shaft slides into the slip clutch? And then, in making the calculation for how much to cut off the PTO shaft, In addition to measuring the distance between the tractor and implement, I take into account that the added length of the slip clutch that also needs to be subtracted from the PTO shaft length when determining the amount to be cut off?

 

[RoyJackson]

After all that, you might want to consider hiring somebody to do the tilling with their equipment. Might be a couple hundred, but the risk to your tractor is eliminated.
Now, if you do rent, raise your 3PH so the tractor and implement PTO stub shaft are level (this will be the shortest length of the drive. Then lift the PTO driveshaft yoke to see if it will the proper length without damaging your tractor. I like about 1" clearance
Buying a PTO driveshaft...well, IMHO, that's not a good idea. As an example, my chipper's driveshaft is pretty short. My snow blower and flail mower drive shafts are much longer...depends on where the implement gearbox is mounted

 

[Smokeydog]

My tiller’s driveshaft was a little short with the Pat’s quick hitch. Extension was about $40, 75hp override clutch about $90. Got the overriding clutch. Like the extra length on the tractor side makes it easier to hook up the pto. Also like the override using the rotary cutter. With pin side sway bars makes using Pat’s to connect so easy.

 

[3gunr]

I f you cant get scarifiers to dig in then you will tear up a tiller, Find an old chisel plow and try that first to loosen up the soil and remove rocks, I have a 5 and 6 ft tillers and they work well , but i prefer my disk in hard rocky soil.

 

[jgoodma1]

After all that, you might want to consider hiring somebody to do the tilling with their equipment. Might be a couple hundred, but the risk to your tractor is eliminated.
Now, if you do rent, raise your 3PH so the tractor and implement PTO stub shaft are level (this will be the shortest length of the drive. Then lift the PTO driveshaft yoke to see if it will the proper length without damaging your tractor. I like about 1" clearance
Buying a PTO driveshaft...well, IMHO, that's not a good idea. As an example, my chipper's driveshaft is pretty short. My snow blower and flail mower drive shafts are much longer...depends on where the implement gearbox is mounted

THANK YOU! You know, you are absolutely right! That's exactly what I should do. The only PTO implement I might ever have a regular need for in the future is a chipper. I'll never use a tiller again. Thanks for knocking some sense into my head.

 

[nyone]

What's the point of tilling if you alreaty did it and the soil you alreaty had on site sucks? Theres not. Just add good soil on what's there.

I have crappy clay with shale rock mixed in. Any time I do any dirt work I grade out the area, smooth out the top like I'm going to put seed down, remove all the rocks by hand. Then top with about 2in of good dirt and seed. No hay, no straw. Just seed and water.