Rotary Tiller J2030

[jacob59]

Wondering if anyone is pulling a Rotary Tiller behind a J-model. I'm debating on a 4' vs a 5' gear driven model. The 5' weighs about 175 lbs more. Cost is not that much more for the 5'. Not sure if the 2030 has the hp and weight to pull a 5". Ground is already broke up with a one bottom. It pulled that good.
Jack

 

[Ed of all trades]

I pull a 5' KK with my sub compact Massey, it is only 18. Something HP so it will give you an idea. I only run about 1600 rpm 540 PTO is 2500 so you can see that HP is not a problem. I can run it without the loader but turning is a change if you are turning up hill. The only problem is I get done so fast I don't have time to enjoy it.

 

[Olympus]

I'll let you know in the next day or so. I bought a 5ft KK tiller for my 2023. I dont expect any problems.

 

[jacob59]

I'll let you know in the next day or so. I bought a 5ft KK tiller for my 2023. I dont expect any problems.

Thanks Guys. Im looking at the KK too.
Jack

 

[Olympus]

I just used the 5ft tiller with my 2023 to break up brand new ground for a garden. The ground has never been worked before. The tractor is enough for the 5ft, but only barely. On that hard ground, I had to make several passes with the first couple passes just barely low enough to till. There is no way I could just drop the tiller to the skids. I made about 5 passes and once the ground was broken up, I was able to drop the tiller all the way down. I still needed to go in a very slow crawling speed, but that just helped till up the ground even better. I would say that a 5ft tiller will be just fine, but definitely don't go any bigger. My neighbor has an established garden that I will be tilling for him, so I'll let you know how it does on ground that has already been worked. But I think you'll be just fine with the 5ft.

 

[jacob59]

Thks. Yeah I broke up the ground already with a plow so it should be fine. Just wondering what the advantage would be having a 5' vs a 4' other than a few less passes.
Jack

 

[Olympus]

The 5ft will cover your tire tracks. The 4ft may not and would have to be offset in order to cover one side tracks.

 

[jacob59]

The 5ft will cover your tire tracks. The 4ft may not and would have to be offset in order to cover one side tracks.

Hey, Olympus I went with the 5" KK Tiller. Haven't set it up yet. Any issues with that. Did you have to make any modifications to the rotary pto shaft. It tells you that it has to be cut if its to long.
Thks Jack
hft

 

[Olympus]

I had to take about 2 inches off the PTO shaft. I used an angle grinder which was a lot faster than a hacksaw. 2 inches off both the male and female ends of the shaft.

 

[Olympus]

Just an update, I adjusted the skids on the tiller to their middle position. This raised the tines up from their deepest setting it was previously set on. This had a huge improving effect on power. This setting still tilled up about 4" deep and didn't seem to lug the engine at all.

 

[Jhiphop72]

Just an update, I adjusted the skids on the tiller to their middle position. This raised the tines up from their deepest setting it was previously set on. This had a huge improving effect on power. This setting still tilled up about 4" deep and didn't seem to lug the engine at all.

If that was virgin ground, drop the skids and make another pass. You will love the results.

 

[jacob59]

I tilled up about an acre of plowed ground and it cut it like butter. Im glad I went with the 5'. Now Im able to use it on my 4600 as well. I didn't shortened the shaft though. That would of made it to short for it. Thanks for your advice.
Jack

 

[Olympus]

Glad I could help. I actually have a 4ft brush hog from my previous tractor that I use on the LS and I really wish I had a 5ft instead. These tractors can easily handle the 5ft implements.

 

[Kenn1320]

I realize this is an old thread, but I didnt find much info searching on here for a tiller. I had borrowed a 5ft tiller for my J2030h and it seemed to do ok, but I did break one of my 3pnt adjustable links. Im guessing it didnt like me turning with it down. I replaced with chain, so those little turn buckle links are no longer a concern. However I spoke with an LS dealer today and he said 4ft is what is recommended. My tractor is 27hp, but the pto is only 20.5hp. Im wondering if the extra work on the tractor is worth the extra 1ft per pass.

 

[Olympus]

I realize this is an old thread, but I didnt find much info searching on here for a tiller. I had borrowed a 5ft tiller for my J2030h and it seemed to do ok, but I did break one of my 3pnt adjustable links. Im guessing it didnt like me turning with it down. I replaced with chain, so those little turn buckle links are no longer a concern. However I spoke with an LS dealer today and he said 4ft is what is recommended. My tractor is 27hp, but the pto is only 20.5hp. Im wondering if the extra work on the tractor is worth the extra 1ft per pass.

Definitely not a good thing to turn with a ground engaging implement still in the ground. Something has to give somewhere.

I used a 5ft with my J2023 and it worked just fine.

 

[Kenn1320]

Definitely not a good thing to turn with a ground engaging implement still in the ground. Something has to give somewhere.

I used a 5ft with my J2023 and it worked just fine.

thanks, I bought a 4ft and it works good. I had times it was bogging down the machine, so probably best I didnt go with the bigger one. Really depends on the ground and weed/roots. I tilled a fresh cut field, so had to go pretty slow and lots of debris. In the future I think a glysophate spraying a few weeks in advance would have better results.