Tiller looking for a rotary tiller

[MGnnr24]

I'm thinking about buying one of these. Who makes a good one and what can I expect to pay for one new/used?
Thanks

 

[jimg]

I'm just in the middle of this so...$$ depends on size but figure that they start at about $1000 (new) and go up from there. Haven't looked into used b/c they don't seem readily available (at least in the size I need). Seems most are made completely or partially in Italy. I think most are pretty good b/c they're virtually indentical. You can check prices at Sweet's, CCI and Corriher (all advertise on this site under the 'dealers' tab. Youll have to get a shipping quote from them to get the full price. HTH jimg

 

[grandad]

I bought a 6ft Italian import from one of the local implement dealers (Leinbach) last year. Paid about $1,400. It has been very useful and has held up to several acres of tilling each year. You are right... most of them are quite similar. There is some debate about chain vs. shaft drive, but for use by amateurs like me, it makes no difference. Look for one with a slip clutch (most have them) if you have any rocks in your soil, since they can get tangled in the tines and jam it up.

 

[HayDR]

I believe you are talking about Gear Driven Tillers vs. Chain Driven Tillers. Most tiller manufacturers use the gear drive in their premium model tillers. Chains do wear and over time and need to be replaced but are functional for the average homeowner. There are many good choices out there.

 

[BB_TX]

Just got an e-mail from Tractor Supply. They have their 5' King Kutter tiller on sale for $999.99 until Feb. 4. I don't have one so I can't vouch for their quality.

 

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue"> Just got an e-mail from Tractor Supply. They have their 5' King Kutter tiller on sale for $999.99 until Feb. 4. I don't have one so I can't vouch for their quality.
</font>

Purchased my KingKutter tiller in 2001 and have not had a minutes worth of trouble with it. Ours is the TG-60 gear drive. I'm pleased. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DK35vince]

I have also had a KingKutter II, 60" tiller for 4 or 5 years now without a singe problem. Works good !!

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( King Kutter tiller on sale for $999.99 until Feb. 4 )</font>

Uh . . . which year? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Did you just miss the sale?

 

[BB_TX]

Oops. That should be Feb. 10. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[grandad]

You hadn't heard about those new "shaftless" tillers? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Thanks for correcting me!

 

[JJT]

I've had a KingKutter 72" for 5 years. It's gear driven and hasn't given me any problems. I easily have tilled 50 acres with this, quite possibly closer to 100. For the money, it was the best deal at the time. I adjust the slip clutch annually and hit all the grease fitting 2 - 3 times a year.

 

[Buster57]

Depending on the PTO HP-I would not think of any 'tiller beyond CCI or First Choice. You just get so much more for your money with these two brands.

 

[raynman]

Has anyone ever used one of the reverse tillers /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Is it any better than the conventional tillers /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Just wondering.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Has anyone ever used one of the reverse tillers )</font>

I've used a Craftsman "counterrotating" walk behind tiller and it worked great; never actually used one on the tractor, although I've seen Kubota's on a B7100. This topic has been discussed before on the forum and I think it boils down basically to:

1) the counterrotating (or reverse rotating, if you prefer) tillers do an excellent job; a little bit better than a forward rotating tiller,
2) the forward rotating will do as good if you either go slow enough, or make a seond pass,
3) the counterrotating tiller costs a lot more than the forward rotating ones (why I don't know), and,
4) if you happen upon a big rock, root, or other immovable object, the forward rotating tiller will hop over it, while the counterrotating one may catch at time below and behind it while the tractor is moving forward, increasing the liklihood of breaking a tine, or shearing a pin (if that's what you have instead of a slip clutch).

 

[raynman]

Thanks Bird,

I have used a walk behind one also, but the info you gave on the tractor unit is what i was looking for. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[EastTexFrank]

I bought a Kuhn 32 (50" working width) about 3 years ago to put behind my B2400 after I got tired of being beaten to death by the Troybilt. I think I paid close to $2000 for it but I can't remember for sure. I know there were cheaper models around but I haven't regretted what I paid for it. It tore up my hardpan and rocks when I was building my garden and made a mess of some buried concrete blocks and rebar that I found - all with no damage to the tiller or tractor. It tills about 6" deep and never misses a beat. All in all it's a good piece of equipment and once you have one, you'll never go back to a walk behind, counter rotating tines or not.