Tiller Cradle for tiller storage?

[Post Carbon]

I've searched all over for this, in TBN and just on the internet. Can't find a thing, so I'm thinking it's not a thing, BUT I really want it to be a thing!

When I detach my 5' LandPride tiller and set it on the pallet, inevitably it tips over which makes it really hard to re-attach it. Yes, I put the side foot down, but it's too short--pretty useless. I end up having to wrestle it to get it reattached, cursing a lot, and not having a ton of upper body strength, it's really hard.

I just want some kind of cradle where I can back into it, set it down and it sorta s-l-i-d-e-s into place, nicely arranged so that the two lower points are waiting right there for me to back into them at a later date. I'd like to build it from wood if possible, because that's what I have lots of. And maybe then I can even attach some kind of top to flip over later to keep it out of the rain.

Is this a thing? Anyone built something like this? Pictures would be appreciated.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I've built dollies for several implements, all just by trial and error. Will the tiller sit flat on the floor in the position you want? If not, the first step is to figure out how to make it stable on a flat floor. A lot of the time a 2x4 under the front edge and the back edge at the right spacing will hold an implement steady. Once you figure out the right spacing you just cut a piece of 2x4 to hold them at that spacing, and mount casters on the bottom.

If it's really hard to get to sit steady on a flat floor, cut a piece of plywood the size of its footprint. Then you can screw blocks of wood to it as chocks until you get it steady.

If it will sit steady on a flat floor you just need to have a big enough dolly for it to sit flat.

 

[mddorange]

I have that same LP 5' tiller and it sits on a flat floor just fine.

What it sounds like is that he is not properly adjusting the skid shoes as per the manual before sitting it down.

 

[Wagtail]

When my tiller was delivered, it came on a 'somewhat' customised pallet that had the slats/boards under the tines removed.

I then built a wheeled dolly, still employing an open space for the tines. My tiller has two retractable 'skid shoes' (fore & aft) that fit the wheeled dolly.

Sure the tiller is at a slight angle, but I've never experienced a problem attaching it to my quickhitch... I just raise it up and then, hopefully, slip on the PTO shaft with the minimum amount of cursing/swearing/coverage in grease.

 

[TerryR]

Here's my tiller sitting in it's dolly:



It sits on it's skids on the 2 by 4 laying flat at either end, which keeps the tines off the floor and leaves it stable. The blocks at the corners are to keep the tiller low while allowing clearance for the casters.

I thought the very old, very hard, 2 by 4s laying flat across the front and rear would be stiff enough but they weren't, as you can see from the bow in the front one. I added another 2 by 4 on edge on top of them after this photo was taken.

No need to bother with the silly little stand, as you can see.

 

[mikester]

Mine sits on a wood pallet with a 2x4 on one of the 3PH arms to hold it upright. The slats in the pallet keep the tiller from rolling around. Nice part is I can store my implements vertically on industrial pallet racking and I only bring them down when I need them. Saves a lot on space.

 

[newbury]

My 5' KK tiller sits on two HF furniture moving dollies on a concrete floor. It's been on them for years and I occasionally have to move it around to get something else. I think I got them for $5.99@ w/ coupon. Now they are up to $7.99@ w/ coupon.

 

[Oldoak]

Several years ago, I made a similar cradle as Terry's for my LandPride 5' teller. Very simple design, not complicated at all. :thumbsup:

Wait until you want a cradle for a backhoe. No that is a horse of a different color. I thought about it but then decided my Kubota BH92 backhoe would be too heavy to push around anyway. :confused3:

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Here's my tiller sitting in it's dolly:

View attachment 575232

It sits on it's skids on the 2 by 4 laying flat at either end, which keeps the tines off the floor and leaves it stable. The blocks at the corners are to keep the tiller low while allowing clearance for the casters.

I thought the very old, very hard, 2 by 4s laying flat across the front and rear would be stiff enough but they weren't, as you can see from the bow in the front one. I added another 2 by 4 on edge on top of them after this photo was taken.

No need to bother with the silly little stand, as you can see.

This looks almost exactly like the cradles I made for my flail mower and box blade. Simple is fine.

 

[shooterdon]

My 5' KK tiller sits on two HF furniture moving dollies on a concrete floor. It's been on them for years and I occasionally have to move it around to get something else. I think I got them for $5.99@ w/ coupon. Now they are up to $7.99@ w/ coupon.

I have the same set up. Works well and I cannot buy casters and lumber for less if I built my own. If the OP has a stability issue, one option is to use ratchet straps to hold the tiller onto the dollies...but my JD tiller did not need them. Of course, using dollies means storing the tiller on a cement floor, but attaching it will be a lot easier...negating the need for a quick hitch...which is an added benefit for me.

BTW, I have put all my attachments on the HF dollies...even the York rake...needed to build a frame assembly for it but that took less than an hour.