Tiller Pulverizer vs. Tiller?

Bowhunter · Jan 14, 2005

I see crews that seed new lawns using pulverizers quite a bit. What is the advantage of the pulverizer over a tiller? Is it because of the rollers behind the pulverizer? Do these give a firmer seed bed and delete the need to run a cultipacker? From what I've seen, the pulverizer is almost as expensive as the tiller (why that is I don't know), but it seems that a tiller would be much more versatile with many more uses than the pulverizer. If a firmer seed bed is the reason, why not fabricate brackets that allow you to run rollers behind the regular tiller?

Just thinking out loud. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Indydirtfarmer · Jan 14, 2005

One of the biggest reasons is around new home construction, you go running a tiller, even at 2 or 3" depth, and you will find yourself tilling brick bats, lumber, rocks, shingles, ect. A pulverizer is less expensive than a tiller, and far more durable under less than ideal conditions.

johan3400 · Jan 14, 2005

The pulverizer would do a better job preparing a lawn for seeding. The pulverizer drags dirt to fill in the low spots and even out your lawn. The teeth on the pulverizer help break up the clods of dirt and give a nice smooth seed bed. You can extend the top link of your 3pt and use the back rollers to pack the seed after you seed. The tiller would be more versatil and do other projects, but it does leave a much more loose seed bed which could have a tendency to erode. What would you use either one for? Would you have enough projects to warrant owning one or would it be a good choice to rent a pulverizer for this one?
I like to rent the pulverizer for the lawns I seed. I have borrowed a 60 inch tiller for my tractor and hope to add one to my small farm this season.

sweettractors · Jan 14, 2005

<font color="blue"> The tiller would be more versatil and do other projects, but it does leave a much more loose seed bed which could have a tendency to erode. </font>

I agree and would suggest a cultipacker to firm the seedbeds for maximum germination and also to prevent erosion of loose top soil. --Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New Buhler 3Pt. 50 Inch Snowblowers $1475, 60 Inch $1575 + Shipping*

plaindave · Jan 14, 2005

A cultivator like a Harley rake is not that great a tool. I rented one last year to do the final prep for my lawn. When finished it looked like I had a perfect seed bed. Unfortunately I found that when they level the ground the soil is so pulverized and "fluffy" that over time it compacted at different rates. I now have a lawn that is very uneven and I will be top dressing it and rolling it to even it out.

Had I tilled it to a greater depth and then hand raked it wouldn't be a problem. Since then I've had landscapers tell me the same thing. The only reason they use them is because it's cheaper than having a crew hand rake yards.

I'd go for a tiller given the choice.

Bowhunter · Jan 17, 2005

Thanks for the info everyone, I was curious more than anything. I can see a pulverizer doing well on lawns and probably even for food plot species like clover and alfalfa. Looking to the future I can see myself putting in lawns for side work (a little extra spending money and seat-time) but think I'd still be better off with the tiller because of its versatility. I can see where the pulverizer would be more sturdy, but overall a tiller and seperate cultipacker would suit my needs the best, as I'd be planting more food plots than lawns.