Land Pride RTA1274 not the best choice?

[Gypsyman]

I've been casually watching tillers on marketplace for a while now. A tiller is the one remaining implement that I would like to have around here. A few implements were left here on the property when we purchased it and I've added Land Pride implements to fill in the gaps. I'm generally happy with Land Pride but I've been looking at other brand when it comes to tiller due to price and the availability of used units in my area.

With that said I ran across a lightly used Land Pride RTA1274 tiller and was somewhat excited when I saw the price but became less enthusiastic when I read the spec sheet.

The 6' units that I'm comparing are as follows (prices do not include sales tax or travel cost):

King Kutter 6' Professional, 54 tines, 721 lbs., Gear Drive, $2700
Tarter 200 Series RT206, 54 tines, 718 lbs., Gear Drive, $2100
King Kutter Standard RT6, 54 tines, 804 lbs., Gear Drive, $1800

Used Land Pride RTA1274, 36 tines, 521 lbs., Chain Drive, $1000 (possibly less)

Tines: Only 4 per flange. Less HP required to drive the unit but less efficient tilling possibly requiring more passes?

Weight: 521 Lbs. which is a full 200 lbs. lighter than the KK Professional or Tarter 200 Series that I'd been leaning towards. Not sure how much the tines weigh per unit but I'm assuming the weight difference is mostly the lower tine count and the stamped steel chain drive box vs the much heavier cast iron gearcase used on the gear drive units. Does this sound plausible?

Chain Drive: I've read all the threads regarding pro's and con's of the chain vs gear and I can see both side. Since there are zero rocks on my property and the soil is mostly sand I can see a gear drive unit lasting a very long time.

Considering the differences (even comparing to the Chinese units) makes the LP RTA12 series seem like a light duty residential tiller to me. Am I missing something here? The price difference and savings if I purchase the used RTA1274 are substantial but is it a unit that I'll be disappointed with down the road? I'm more of a buy once/cry once type purchaser but by the time I add sales tax and fuel cost to go get a KK Professional unit it becomes a comparison of $2900 vs $1000. That's a large difference to eat if the RTA1274 will get the job done.

Thoughts?

 

[robertgalka]

Are you going to use it every day, or once a year? I had a RTR1266 for 10 years with no problems. I have heavy soil with a lot of rocks. I use it for about 5-10 hours a year.

 

[jeff9366]

The price difference and savings if I purchase the used RTA1274 are substantial but is it a unit that I'll be disappointed with down the road?

How many acres of light Florida soil do you wish to churn each year?

Once per year or twice per year?

 

[Gypsyman]

We’ll be putting in on large (but not huge) personal garden.

Now that logging and clearing is done I’ve also added a lot of vehicle width trails around and across our 80 acres. I have a feeling it would get used more for trail maintenance and smoothing until we can get compactible organics built-up in the soil and get the erosion under control.

If I had to guess, 10–20 hours a year. Possibly more depending on washouts and trail condition.

A couple of the new trails.

 

[JohnnyMX]

If you have rocks they will beat the crap out of the tiller. Mine looked banged up after the first use in an untilled field. I've had it for 6 years though so it does work, but had I known I may have opted to get a more heavy duty tiller if working tons of new tillage. Mine is reverse though.

 

[Gypsyman]

There’s not a rock to be found anywhere on this property. I take that back. I’ve found two large Indian stones on the entire 80 acres so far.

The lighter overall weight and 4 tines versus 6 tines are my two largest concerns. Have you had any problem making depth considering that the unit is a couple of hundred pounds lighter than other units?

This whole thing may be a wasted discussion. I can’t seem to get the seller to respond. Not sure what’s going on with him.

 

[ning]

I don't know if you have equipment auctions in your area; I regularly see tillers in the catalog at a nearby one (eg Hibid) and about six years ago I got one.
China inc, probably too big for my tractor (HST in low range creeping); new old stock. Gut feel says it weighs about 900-1000#, just over a 2m tilling width.
I got it for $800 bid, about $1000 total including auction fees.

Only thing I've had to do with it is take the nut off of every tine bolt (two per tine) and loctite them; I can't say it gets a ton of use because even in hard somewhat rocky ground (glad for the PTO shaft clutch!) you cover a lot of ground with it.

 

[jeff9366]

RTA1274 will be entirely adequate for your expressed applications.

 

[kenmac]

I just purchased a new IRONCRAFT 6' tiller. This thing is heavy. I chose it over some other brands due to it being heavier build. So far, I love it ! I paid 2595.00 for it