Another 3 PT Tiller Thread

[DennisH]

Hi guys

I'm in the market for a 3 PT tiller for some landscaping/garden work and have done the research on the locally available brands. My tractor is a 1998 JD 870, 28 hp with 25 hp at the PTO and the length across my back tires is 60"

I would like to stick with a 60" tiller but I'm not sure about the horse power, I'm guessing the tiller ratings are tractor hp. Also there is a $750-$900 spread beween the three.

Guess my questions are which brand and will a 60" work behind my JD 870? I'm leaning towards the John Deer Frontier RT1160, however, why the big weight differance beween that one and the King Cutter?

John Deer Frontier RT1160 $2,500
RT1150 323 lb.20-25 hp
RT1160 533 lb.25-40 hp

KING KUTTER II GEAR DRIVEN ROTARY TILLERS $1,750
TG-48 600 LBS 20-35 hp
TG-60 690 LBS 25-40 hp

CountyLine $1,600
TG-48-YK 15-25 HP
TG-60-YK 25-40 HP

 

[DennisH]

Can someone tell me the differance between Frontier RT11 and RT12 Series?

My guess is the 300 lbs I'm missing between the RT1160 and the King Cutter.

 

[psdx]

I'm not the smartest guy in the room, but to me it looks like the KK tiller is the sweet spot if you're looking for best bang for the buck. It's gear driven, people that have them generally love them, and the price is just barely above the TSC private brand.

 

[Botabill]

John Deer Frontier RT1160 $2,500
RT1150 323 lb.20-25 hp
RT1160 533 lb.25-40 hp

KING KUTTER II GEAR DRIVEN ROTARY TILLERS $1,750
TG-48 600 LBS 20-35 hp
TG-60 690 LBS 25-40 hp


The obvious answer is the KK has more metal built in. That isn't always proof of better build but that would be one indicator to consider. I paid $1500 for my 60 inch and it does a fine job with my 26 HP tractor. I will say that I need to go slow to get depth in my heavy clay that hasn't been cultivated for 30 years.

 

[McGeesEquip]

Hi guys

I'm in the market for a 3 PT tiller for some landscaping/garden work and have done the research on the locally available brands. My tractor is a 1998 JD 870, 28 hp with 25 hp at the PTO and the length across my back tires is 60"

I would like to stick with a 60" tiller but I'm not sure about the horse power, I'm guessing the tiller ratings are tractor hp. Also there is a $750-$900 spread beween the three.

Guess my questions are which brand and will a 60" work behind my JD 870? I'm leaning towards the John Deer Frontier RT1160, however, why the big weight differance beween that one and the King Cutter?

John Deer Frontier RT1160 $2,500
RT1150 323 lb.20-25 hp
RT1160 533 lb.25-40 hp

KING KUTTER II GEAR DRIVEN ROTARY TILLERS $1,750
TG-48 600 LBS 20-35 hp
TG-60 690 LBS 25-40 hp

CountyLine $1,600
TG-48-YK 15-25 HP
TG-60-YK 25-40 HP

Hey Dennis,

If you decide to go with a King Kutter unit take a look at this link.

King Kutter 5Ft. Tractor Rotary Tiller

Based on my current price on a 5Ft. at $1,469.11 and a residential delivery with lift gate to Huntsville at zip 35802 for $142.05 there is a few dollars there that you can save. Since you are in AL there is a way that I can save you that $142.05 if you want to drive to Winfield AL.

Just something to thank about.

Thanks,
Bruce McGee

 

[foggy1111]

First, a 60" tiller is perfect behind your tractor. You will cover your wheel tracks and have adequate power to run it.

I have a KK 60" tiller and it is a good product and priced right. I've tilled many acres with mine....and its been bullet-proof. Last year, I bought two additional tillers (same 60" models) as gifts for my SIL's new tractors (both have about 25 PTO HP). They like the tillers too. My average price paid for each tiller was about $1400.

Obviously, I think KK makes a good product. If I had another SIL I'd probably buy him a KK too. They are allot of bang for the buck.

 

[SSdoxie]

No need to go smaller than 60". I run a 60" with 20.5 PTO HP and complaints.

 

[Sterff]

Hey Dennis,

If you decide to go with a King Kutter unit take a look at this link.

King Kutter 5Ft. Tractor Rotary Tiller

Based on my current price on a 5Ft. at $1,469.11 and a residential delivery with lift gate to Huntsville at zip 35802 for $142.05 there is a few dollars there that you can save. Since you are in AL there is a way that I can save you that $142.05 if you want to drive to Winfield AL.

Just something to thank about.

Thanks,
Bruce McGee

Are the King Kutter's a reliable unit? My soil is very loose/shale type. Also would a 60" unit work fine for a JD 4310 32hp?

 

[McGeesEquip]

Are the King Kutter's a reliable unit? My soil is very loose/shale type. Also would a 60" unit work fine for a JD 4310 32hp?

Hey Sterff,

I think you will find many TBN members will give the King Kutter units a good review.

The 5Ft. unit should work well with your HP unit. Just keep in mind if 60In. will get you outside the tire tracking.

Thanks,
Bruce McGee

 

[DennisH]

Thanks guys, sounds like the KK is the one to go with.

 

[lj04]

I thought the CountyLine tiller was just a rebadged KK?

 

[GreenWannabe]

I thought the CountyLine tiller was just a rebadged KK?

The last time I talked to a King Kutter rep a couple years ago or so, they were still making the tillers for TSC, private label branded as CountyLine. For other implements, TSC used some other manufacturers in addition to KK. IMO, you would need to look at the manual for the tiller (probably under the rear hood) to see who manufactured a particular unit. CountyLine is TSC's private brand, they use that name regardless of who actually manufactures an implement.

 

[Dogscape]

Can anyone offer any input on Kuhn tillers?

 

[DK35vince]

I thought the CountyLine tiller was just a rebadged KK?

Around our area CountryLine tillers are no longer rebagded King Kutter tillers.
I think they are now Tarter Gate tillers or something.

 

[flusher]

Hi guys

I'm in the market for a 3 PT tiller for some landscaping/garden work and have done the research on the locally available brands. My tractor is a 1998 JD 870, 28 hp with 25 hp at the PTO and the length across my back tires is 60"

I would like to stick with a 60" tiller but I'm not sure about the horse power, I'm guessing the tiller ratings are tractor hp. Also there is a $750-$900 spread beween the three.

Guess my questions are which brand and will a 60" work behind my JD 870? I'm leaning towards the John Deer Frontier RT1160, however, why the big weight differance beween that one and the King Cutter?

John Deer Frontier RT1160 $2,500
RT1150 323 lb.20-25 hp
RT1160 533 lb.25-40 hp

KING KUTTER II GEAR DRIVEN ROTARY TILLERS $1,750
TG-48 600 LBS 20-35 hp
TG-60 690 LBS 25-40 hp

CountyLine $1,600
TG-48-YK 15-25 HP
TG-60-YK 25-40 HP

Does your 870 have a gear or hydrostatic tranny? HSTs are very nice for rototiller work since you can just crawl along (~0.5 mph ground speed) and let the tiller do its thing.

 

[bjepple]

Can't comment on the quality aspect, but I will echo what some others have said. 60" should be fine behind your tractor. I rented a 60" for behind my Deere 770 some years ago and it did fine. I wished that low gear would have been even lower, not because of power, just to let it till more. It was a forward rotating and I ended up running a lot in reverse to get it to till the soil finer.

 

[Baby Grand]

I run a KKII 60" behind a 26 PTO HP tractor with 62" track to the outside of the rear tires. At 540 PTO in first, I'm doing 0.9 mph. The KKII has 6 tines per hub & the blades are layed out in a spiral. It can convert field grass to ready to seed (after the field grass decomposes) in 2 passes at full depth in sandy loam. Get the KKII - you won't regret it.

 

[Wnc3]

I decided on the the John Deere 665 Over the Frontier.
Is it worth the extra money?
I also was looking at Phoenix(simca)...

 

[Don87]

I decided on the the John Deere 665 Over the Frontier.
Is it worth the extra money?
I also was looking at Phoenix(simca)...

Sicma is an Italian tiller, the are well built. My Bush Hog tiller is made by them.

The Caroni that was mentioned earlier, is also Italian made. Good brand.

KK II is also a good tiller.

 

[spruce Deere]

If ya look real close, the 665 jd starts looking identical to the sigma phoenix