Forward vs Reverse rotation tiller?

[Jaybr]

I'm in the market for a tiller, would use to plant food plots and garden. Tractor is a Yanmar YT359c so 52 PTO HP. I'm planning on a DirtDog tiller from local Yanmar dealer, trying to decide between 6' and 7', forward or reverse rotation. Working width on the 6' is exactly the same as tractor width, which has me leaning toward the 7'. I had a 3point tiller in the past on a smaller tractor that was reverse rotation and really liked it. Question is whether or not the tractor has enough HP for a 7' reverse rotation? DirtDog recommends 45 min hp for the 7', but they don't distinguish hp differences between forward and reverse and I know reverse takes more power.

 

[bmaverick]

Ask yourself these questions, for firm soil conditions.

Do you want a nice tilled like powder soil, then pick reverse till and go slow.

Do you want to row crop acres and be a little messy with clumps, then pick forward till to go a bit faster.

As I do 1/2 to 1 acre gardens, I would still pick reverse till direction.
My soil is 70 sandy mix. I could pick either type of tiller.

Watch a few YT vids and see for yourself.

Nice machine by the way.

 

[bigtiller]

I have had both types but in the 48 to 60" sizes. With your tractor I would stay with the forward rotation. You are correct, the reverse rotation takes much more HP and because that is a concern, your speed will be much slower with the reverse.

The forward rotation does a much better job of incorporating mulch and old plant material.

 

[David in KY]

I'm in the market for a tiller too.

I thought I wanted one with reverse rotation, but after watching numerous videos, I've been convinced that with my rocky ground, a reverse tiller would beat the tiller and tractor pretty hard.

The forward rotation models tend to climb over embedded rocks and roots, whereas the reverse models make every effort to dislodge and uproot obstacles.

 

[Jaybr]

The soil I'll be tilling seems very nice rich black soil, currently growing grass and there doesn't seem to be many rocks. We just bought the place a year ago, but it was a farm at some point and from what we can tell that started in the 1800's or earlier. There is evidence of an old homeplace, but nothing left of it other than a filled well and some bricks burried in the ground, won't be tilling in that area. I won't be planting any row crops other than the small garden. Food Plots will be broadcast so I prefer a nice fine surface.

 

[David in KY]

In your case, I think you'll be happy with a reverse rotation tiller.

Regarding tiller width, I'd be looking at the wider 7' model too. You're really on the edge power wise, but you can always slow your ground speed, or reduce till depth in tough soil.

Good luck in your adventure.

 

[oosik]

I've had both - forward & reverse - 30 inch - walk behind. Once you "break" the soil - subsequent years of tilling will go quite a bit easier.

We have good, organic soil on the top foot. Clay & silt are more than a foot deep.

If you have tough soils - you will want to go slow with either forward or reverse. I went slow with either - on virgin soil. Otherwise the tiller - TroyBilt - would beat the crap out of me.

We no longer garden. The varmints won out.

If I were doing it all over again. Break the soil with a one or two bottom moldboard plow first - behind my tractor.

Then go in with a tiller - forward rotation. Either a walk behind or behind my tractor. Depending upon how big the garden is.

Look at your "garden" spot. Is there going to be enough room to turn a tractor and tiller - easily. Walk behind requires MUCH less area/room to make turns.

I think back about our garden and orchard. Garden was 100 x 250. Orchard was twice that size. Garden lasted five years until all the local varmints found their favorite foods in our garden. Sharing was not a part of their vocabulary. Orchard lasted fifteen years. Only battling coons and birds in the orchard.

Plant the right things - your food plot will become the hit of the neighborhood. Wish you the best with the garden.

 

[bigtiller]

About the only time in 25 years I was glad to have a reverse rotation tiller is when the customer wanted to till the ground in August, when the ground is VERY hard, dry and covered with dormant grass.

After tilling a garden in both directions, the results are the same with both types of tillers.