Tiller Howard Rotovator

[Flatbroke]

A gent is trying to sell me a real old Howard Rotovator he thinks its from the 60's or 70's he is firm that they are worth much more than other brands and wants $2250 for it. It is a 60 inch. The photos show an old machine built stout but paint gone etc. I can buy a new Land Pride 60 inch for $3000. Parts could be a real problem. What do you all think? Go with newer?

 

[jenkinsph]

I sold my old Howard 60" tiller with the 820 this past summer. While it served me well I suspect there are several brands that are just as good with better parts availability.
I would pass at the price he wants and buy a new one that is current production. Make sure you get one with a slip clutch and preferably a 6 tine per rotor model.

 

[Flatbroke]

Thanks

That is what I thought. Just a bad feeling about that price, slip clutch a must, ok what about tine direction? I want to renovate the plot in front of corrals will have lots of wasted hay and tons of cow chips I am feeding 25 head on it this winter so will have 30--40 tons of waste on it. It should be fertile after tilling.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suspect it will have too much waste in it to use right away, might need to wait to use it. Most top dressings I have seen have about 1 to 3% manure in them. I would advise getting a soil sample test to see what you may need and/or what amendments are required.

I prefer a forward rotation tiller because of rocks below the surface in my locale. I would rather climb over the rocks with the tiller than dig beneath them, most good tillers can deal with rocks better than you think. I have used both types of tillers and find that both seem to mix the soil very well.

 

[LiveRoll]

Good Morning, I live just north of you a couple of hours. I do have an old Howard thinking 72 inches, It is sitting out n the yard, In it's day it was a fabulous machine we broke a lot of prairie with it and eventually it just more or less got set to the side. I replaced the drive chain on it but the bottom seal leaks terribly, it is a different pitch chain than the original, So yes, parts are VERY hard to come by. I have since replaced it with a newer model Sovema, not a Howard it is 82 inches and it seems to do a great job, We used to run the Howard on a 4020 John Deere and breaking prairie it would make that 4020 snort at times.
Regarding going with a newer model I would definitely go for it. Sure it isn't a Howard, but parts availability , and dealer service do count in My books. The Howard however is definitely the Cadillac of tillers. For an implement that would perhaps get 30-40 hrs a year it would take a long time to wear out a new one and at least you know what you have going in at the start.
But if you do decide to go with the Howard, come on up and grab this one for parts, I'll load it up for you!!
Cheers

Roger

 

[BukitCase]

You may want to look into a Priefert - I have the 6 footer on a 40 horse AC, and it works well. It's 6 tine, forward rotation, and IIRC everything but the gearbox is made in Texas. A buddy just bought a 5 footer locally, they were on sale for around $1800 - brand new they aren't any more than the "proud owner of an ancient Howard" wants... Steve

 

[mjstef]

Howard parts are mostly still readily available. Contact Guy Machinery in Woodstock Illinois. 815-338-0600 They have access to new and used parts and are the MOST knowledgeable people i know on Howard machines. Clyde Mortar is the owner there. A HUGE library of knowledge in that mans head!!

 

[davhunter]

Howard parts are mostly still readily available. Contact Guy Machinery in Woodstock Illinois. 815-338-0600 They have access to new and used parts and are the MOST knowledgeable people i know on Howard machines. Clyde Mortar is the owner there. A HUGE library of knowledge in that mans head!!

Thanks so much for the tip on Howard parts!