Frontier Rear Tiller, Quality, or Junk?

Deadman · Nov 29, 2010

I'm looking at a Rear tiller for my 2520. I'm looking around 5 foot wide.
I'm wondering if I should even bother looking at the Frontier models, or just get the JD 655 Tiller? I would think the JD tiller would be much stronger, and last longer, but I'm curios if any of you have a Frontier Tiller?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. It needs to be I-Match, so i'm not messing with other brands, and welding on them.

jenkinsph · Nov 29, 2010

I did some research on this recently, and there are some good tillers out there but I have had good luck with the 673 tiller and will buy a smaller 647 for the new 749 mower. If I were buying for a 2520 I would not hesitate and would get the 655.

Henri88 · Nov 30, 2010

I operate a Frontier RT 1150 for the last 3 summer and have been very satisfy with it. No problem what so ever. But it is a bit smaller than what your looking for.

kennyd · Nov 30, 2010

I beleive both are very good...The Frontier may be iMatch compatible though if you use one, might be good to check. The King Kutter tillers from TSC also get rave reviews and they cost about 1/2 of the other two choices you listed.

Dutch445 · Nov 30, 2010

The Frontier line of Tillers are actually
made by Maschio, of Italy. They are
very comparable to the JD tillers in quality,
and cost. We sell both, mostly depending
on what we have in stock or what the customer
wants, and have had good luck with all of them.

Deadman · Nov 30, 2010

Great info guys. i'll price them both out then! :thumbsup:

Deadman · Nov 30, 2010

Dealer has a John Deere 655 tiller that sells new for $2,520. It has been rented out about 6 times according to salesman, and they want $1,995 for it. They will send it with a brand new warranty. Its 54 inches wide and fits the I Match.

What do you guys think of a unit like that? I have not seen it in person yet. I'm hoping some idiot didn't hammer the **** out of it, but unfortunately thats what guys do with rental equipment. Is that price realistic for it being lightly used?

Or they have New Frontier models. The Frontier model 1157, its 57 inches wide I think, and its costs $2,450. Or, the Frontier model 1149, and thats 49 inches wide, and costs $2,100. The widths seem odd, but thats what the salesman told me they were.

I'm really leaning twords buying the JD 655 Tiller. Anyone else have an opinion, or input on this? I'm open to all ideas, but don't want a King Kutter, because I'm not gonna weld on it to make it fit my I-Match and I HATE the crappy KK paint that peels off in a few years.
Thanks guys!

D33r3 6r33N · Nov 30, 2010

I just bought my Landpride 50" reverse till this past spring. I really like it though I haven't had the tractor all that long either. It got it on a discount because it was from the year before.

jd670 · Nov 30, 2010

I have the 60" King Kutter 2 all gear drive tiller from TSC. Had it for the last 5 years with not one problem. This tiller gets worked hard and comes back for more. I would have loved to buy the JD tiller, but way too pricey at 2200. I gave 1100 for the KK and was I-match capatable with no welding. Also,back then, the JD's and Frontiers' were chain drive not gear. Just my 2 cents.

jimjo2 · Nov 30, 2010

I have a Frontier RT1160 that I use on my 2520 and it does a great job. It is built very well and not a bit of problems. I use it with an iMatch hitch. The only thing I don't like about it is the single leg stand. It also has a tendency to flop to to the back if the rear leveler gate kicks back while mounting to the iMatch. It seems like it might be a little imbalanced with too much weight on the rear side of the machine. A little care and everything works as it should. My garden is about 1/3 acre and it takes me 20 minutes to till the whole thing. I also removed the center set of tines and cultivated my sweet corn until it was about a foot high and it worked great.