$1,500 rotary tiller: JD 647 vs LP RTR1550 vs xxxxx

[nikerret]

I am not convinced those are the legitimate weights for approximately the same stuff. That is a big difference. It would be nice to be able to kick the tines at a dealership which probably won't happen.

I agree. The weights seem pretty far apart. I would expect the Land Pride top of the line (for the size) to be heavy, but I was surprised to see the 647 rated as "commercial" and so light. It weighs less than a lot of the "subcompact" tillers.

If you are considering tiller work on the side I would go with a forward rotating model. The 647 is a forward rotation tiller. The forward rotation tiller will climb over rocks, stumps and most buried debris. A reverse rotation tiller will hook under these obstructions and can be damaged.

Tilling and mowing for the public can be expensive for you if there is buried debris or booby traps.

I figured the 647 was forward rotation, since it wasn't listed as reverse rotation, on the JD website. Those are valid points for for going forward rotation. I can always go over it, again, to cut it more fine, with a forward. With reverse, it looks like it's just pulverize or super pulverize. Reverse may not be the best, since I will likely have customers with varied needs.

I have a 673 tiller and have used it for seven years now with good results. I would suggest that the 647 tiller would be a good match for you. If you can get one for $1500 or less in good condition I would go for it. All the pastures and jobs I have posted have been tilled with the 673 and that adds up to quite a few acres of hard packed soil.

Is the 673 the same series of tiller, just wider?

 

[sweettractors]

Ken, I'm a little confused. The Tarter you linked, from ebay, shows 558 lbs for the 4', but on the Tarter website, they list the 4' at 591 lbs. Is it the same model? Also, where does this Tarter fit compared to the Tractor Supply CountyLine? The TSC model is listed as MFR part number "RT4", same as the model on the Tarter website. TSC shows the weight at 591 lbs, just like the Tarter website.

Therefore, it appears the Tarter website and TSC CountyLine units are the same, but yours is different, in weight. However, the Tarter website and yours says the rotation is up to the user, but the CountyLine doesn't advertise a choice.

To further complicate things, I've read that King Kutter and Behlen have both manufactured the CountyLine units, at one time, or another. The manager at the local TSC said they were made by Behlen.

I see your part number is RTGE vs the RT4, from the website and TSC. What makes yours different? I see some structural differences, in the pictures, of the area protecting the gearbox, but that may or may not be a picture of the most recent iteration. The RTGE is not listed in the applicable part numbers in the link on the Tarter website.

Can you clear some of this up? Also, where is the PTO shaft and gearbox made, on the model you are selling?

Applicable links:
Rotary Tiller - Tarter Farm & Ranch
Sweet Farm Equipment - New & Used Farming Tools & Equipment | Tractor Equipment, Implements
file:///C:/Users/Law%20Dog/Downloads/Tarter-Rotary-Tiller-Manual-REVERSING-Smooth-Top-HR.pdf
CountyLine Rotary Tiller, 4 ft. - For Life Out Here

It is my understanding that Tarter builds to the wholesale buyers specs. So, I would assume some lapses in online/print data would be normal. When I toured the factory a couple years ago, it was a pleasure to see the tillers being made in the USA and specifically here in Ky. Some components may or may not be outsourced? Specifics would need to be took up with the company. Where are the component parts made in comparable JD, Landpride, Woods, Befco, Phoenix, Sicma, etc? Ken Sweet

 

[tcreeley]

I have a 5' version of this- rugged.

Here is the 4' version 1209.99 + shipping.

[FONT=&quot]Use this 3-point rotary tiller to help you prepare your soils for planting. This tiller has a working width of 48 inches and is equipped with 36 tiller blades. This unit comes standard with a heavy duty cast iron gear box, PTO shaft, slip clutch, Category 1 quick hitch, and a parking stand.[/FONT]

48 Inch Rotary Tiller-Tillovators | Agri Supply #7779

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree. The weights seem pretty far apart. I would expect the Land Pride top of the line (for the size) to be heavy, but I was surprised to see the 647 rated as "commercial" and so light. It weighs less than a lot of the "subcompact" tillers.



I figured the 647 was forward rotation, since it wasn't listed as reverse rotation, on the JD website. Those are valid points for for going forward rotation. I can always go over it, again, to cut it more fine, with a forward. With reverse, it looks like it's just pulverize or super pulverize. Reverse may not be the best, since I will likely have customers with varied needs.




Is the 673 the same series of tiller, just wider?

First all tillers are capable of pulverizing the soil, that is a matter of travel speed. Much better to travel at a higher speed and have small clumps which are better for the soil.

I doubt the weight listed is correct for the 647 it is more likely to be close to 500+ lbs. The 673 is a 73" tiller in this series the last two numbers are the width. John Deere tillers are made by Mashio an Italian company.

Some things to consider when looking at tillers,
rotor diameter, larger rotors will till deeper
tine shape and material quality, both work I prefer L tine shape good knives last longer than cheap knives.
construction for long life and durability, There are times on some customer fields where I have tilled up large rocks with the tiller bouncing over them. Shakes the crap out of everything yet this 673 has survived without problems.

 

[Eric102]

My 647 owners manual lists it at 298 lbs without the slip clutch or PTO shaft, maybe another 20-30 lbs with those?

They are compatible with the X7 series garden tractors which have a maximum hitch weight of 450 lbs. so I don't doubt the specs.

 

[bigtiller]

I am looking at rotary tillers for the back of my BX25D (17.7 PTO HP). I am trying to keep it around/under $1,500, but will go up slightly to accommodate shipping/driving. This will be used commercially, for my part-time business.

The two leaders I have thus far are both used, clean looking (in picture) models:

JD 647 48"
I believe it has six tines per flange, with six flanges, but hard to tell, in the picture.
Weight of unit is 298 lbs.
Digs down to 7"
They are advertising it as reverse rotation, but I don't see that anywhere else.


Land Pride RTR1550 50"
Four tines per flange, six flanges.
Weight of unit is 455 lbs.
Digs down to around 7" (guessing based on similar models)
Reverse rotation.

Both have C-shaped tines. The JD is advertised as "commercial grade", but the LP is their highest model made in the size I can use (with the RTR05 and RTR12 series being lower models still with reverse rotation). I would imagine the extra weight of the LP would be a plus, but should be less important with reverse rotation versus forward rotation. The LP is made in KS, which is cool, no idea who or where the JD is made. The extra 2" of cutting width on the LP is nice, but probably not big enough to make a real difference.

Any thoughts? Do I really want reverse rotation? What new models should I look at, in this price range? I have done internet shopping, but really don't know what I'm looking for. I doubt I'll find a better deal on a new reverse rotation tiller, than I've found on these (if the JD is reverse), since they are relatively close to me. I see six tines per flange is getting to be standard, would four in reverse be about the same as six spinning forward, given the speed is the same?

I have owned both of those tillers and tilled for hire for 24 years now. The Deere will work best for your business because it incorporates mulch better and it will bounce when it needs to rather than break things. The land pride reverse tiller will breakup sod and hard ground much better but with only 18 pto hp it will be very very slow going.

 

[nikerret]

It is my understanding that Tarter builds to the wholesale buyers specs. So, I would assume some lapses in online/print data would be normal.

Do you have the model you sell built to your specs? If so, what, specifically, did you have done that sets your model apart from the "regular" models?

Where are the component parts made in comparable JD, Landpride, Woods, Befco, Phoenix, Sicma, etc? Ken Sweet

This question is one I'm working on getting answers for. The fact it's as tough as it is and many manuals and spec sheets leave so much information off is off-putting (industry as a whole). For example, some of the manuals and spec sheets don't even tell me how many flanges are incorporated (Tarter), while others don't list a maximum digging depth (Land Pride). Finding information on more specific details is a real chore when the general features aren't universally listed, for comparison.

John Deere tillers are made by Mashio an Italian company.

Interesting, haven't heard of that company, yet.

Some things to consider when looking at tillers,
rotor diameter, larger rotors will till deeper
tine shape and material quality, both work I prefer L tine shape good knives last longer than cheap knives.
construction for long life and durability

It's pretty hard to compare these things when looking at websites (that don't list much information) and such. How am I to compare tine shape and metal quality, from an internet picture? Most will list if it has "C" shaped tines, but not always. Metal quality? Has someone published a thorough testing and comparison of a bunch of tillers, somewhere? Many have done it, in other areas, but tillers seem to be pretty well "buy the cheapest", "buy by the color", or "buy what's closest".

My 647 owners manual lists it at 298 lbs without the slip clutch or PTO shaft, maybe another 20-30 lbs with those?

They are compatible with the X7 series garden tractors which have a maximum hitch weight of 450 lbs. so I don't doubt the specs.

That would make sense, given the X7 issue.

The real question: If they could shave 150-250 pounds off to make the 647, from comparable other brands, what and where did they cut that much weight?

I have owned both of those tillers and tilled for hire for 24 years now. The Deere will work best for your business because it incorporates mulch better and it will bounce when it needs to rather than break things. The land pride reverse tiller will breakup sod and hard ground much better but with only 18 pto hp it will be very very slow going.

Are you suggesting a forward rotation will work better than a reverse rotation, in general, or is there more to the 647, pushing it ahead of the Land Pride? What about the 647 makes it handle mulch better? Tine spacing, tine shape, number of tines, lighter weight, etc?


Thanks for the replies, thus far!

 

[bigtiller]

Are you suggesting a forward rotation will work better than a reverse rotation, in general, or is there more to the 647, pushing it ahead of the Land Pride? What about the 647 makes it handle mulch better? Tine spacing, tine shape, number of tines, lighter weight, etc?Thanks for the replies, thus far!

It handles mulch better because it pounds it into the ground and spits it out the bach with a good amount of soil mixed in. The reverse rotation of the land pride will push it up and forward intraining it with air and making a big fluffy ball of mulch that keeps getting bigger and bigger as you move forward.

 

[lostru]

I have the RTR1258 on a Kubota L2800 Super 4x4. Depending on the soil it really works this tractor. With the HP you have at hand I would steer clear of the reverse tine. As far as a new plot or one overgrown, I set the feet on the first few settings and let it loosen the grass then back drag it off with the bucket. Where I am though you cannot beat a reverse tine in hard soil. It digs in instead of skipping along. Makes quick work of it.