Rotary Tillers

[BloomingtonMike]

Incase anyone wanted to see the frontier RT1260 specs.

RT1260 Medium duty 55-in Rotary Tiller
Blades type "C" with an helicoidale disposition
Skid shoes for depth control working
Single speed gear box and chain side drive ASA 100
Cat 1 or 2 iMatch compatible
P.T.O shaft with slip clutch
1 Year Warranty

SPECS
Adjustable lower hitches
Blades rotor no.: 4
Drive Chain: ASA 100
Flanges rotor no.: 8
Gearbox speed: Single
Operating weight: 574 lb.
Parking Stand
PTO Shaft: slip clutch
Rear door support: Chain
Skid shoes: Adjustable
Three point hitch: Category 1 or 2, iMatch compatible
Tines std.: C
Tractor HP (MAX): 60 hp
Tractor HP (min): 30-50 hp
Tractor PTO speed: 540
Width grouping: 60 inches
Working width: 55 inches

 

[nmu98]

Hmm... good info. The Sitrex looks almost bolt-to-bolt the same to the Machio (Frontier). Both likely to outlast the 1st generation owner.

Who makes the new model JD tillers?

I have an older model JD 660. It's made in Germany and it's right around 650lbs (with pto shaft).

I seem to recall (could be wrong) that the JD branded tillers are more heavy duty than the Frontier models.

AKfish

When I bought my 673, I was told that the JD tillers were made by Howard. I have not researched that. I could not find any markings on gears when I changed oil on my 673 to indicate who made it.

Our 1157 Frontier has machio stamped all over the gears, plus it was orange under the gear cover on the side. Pretty easy to tell who makes them.

When I was looking, I think the 72" frontier model is a hundered or so more pounds than the JD model? I too thought the JD models were more Hevey duty than the Frontier, but I think as you get larger, Frontier has some pretty heavy duty models.

 

[jenkinsph]

While I have a new JD673 on order with my new tractor I currently have a Howard 66" tiller too. At least I think it is a Howard (rotovator ?) never had any problems with it but want a tiller that will work deeper. When I think about it the Howard must be a decent tiller since I have never had to pay it much attention. Some implements you get to know very well and have to tweak constantly.



Steve

 

[Brownjam]

You may already have a tiller by now. But wanted to add that the Sigma tiller I have is working great. It is 6' model with attachments for Cat I or Cat II and has a slide bar for adjusting the position of the tiller behind the tractor and can be slide over about 2-3 feet. Have not had to use the option but nice to know it is there if needed. I got mine for under $3000.00. Sigma is the main manufacture of Heavy Duty Tillers and makes them for many companies. Just make sure you the check the tighness of the bolts after the first couple of uses and keep them tight, especially the ones on the tiller drive cover.

 

[spruce Deere]

Thanks for the input brownjam. Did some tilln the other day with the ol' dependable all-gear 48" maletti. Old, 1978 model. I got it 10 years ago, used and fairly hard. No oil changes, crack in the gear box support tube, loose tines. Welded, changed and tighten stuff, been fine since But wont last forever. Save'n for a new 60 incher and still leaning toward the sigma.

 

[Brownjam]

I got my Sigma at the local JD dealer, It is the 6' version with slide adjustments for left to right easy movment which allows putting the tiller near a fence while keeping the tractor away from it. Mine appears to be more versatile than the ones I have seen on the net. I think it was only 2299 here in TN.

 

[hemiguy]

Thought I should add my 2 cents here as I just bought a 5 Foot Lienbach Soil Pulverizer (they call it the yard tool) from Ebay/Everything Attachments. Based on my positive experience I'd say thay are a top notch outfit. The pulverizer is very well made (excellent welding job) and with the free shipping from NC to NY (3 days by UPS freight) was half the cost of Frontier or Woods from a local dealer. There's no way they can have 100% Ebay feedback by selling any junk.

I don't know anything specific about the tillers they sell but can say this about 3 point tillers. First, as everyone knows they are almost impossible to find used in good shape so you gotta go new. I know brand names like Frontier, Woods, Bush hog, etc are top quality but mostly they are made by someone else, painted the correct color and overpriced by several hundred dollars. I did buy my FarmMaxx (they're blue) all gear drive 48" tiller from a local dealer and it was about $600 less than I was quoted for Frontier 647 from the Deere dealer. It's well made and works great.

As for a tiller from Everything Attachments, I say go for it and let us know how you make out.

 

[47chevy]

Here is a well used Bush Hog Tiller that I have borrowed to till my yard. It is mounted on my JD 2520. It still works great despite how rough looking it is. I borrowed it and a 3000 Ford tractor a few years ago to do a job. I was going slow and all of the sudden the tiller hit something solid, tractor died instantally. I hit a big chunk of concrete. I looked it over and started back to tilling. Was impressed that nothing was broke or bent.

I have noticed that with the smaller tractor (JD 2520) that it does jerk and move around a lot more. The 2520 has enought power to handle anything in my yard so far. I am tilling about 1/2 acre this time.

 

[LBrown59]

I have heard good things about the

*KKII tillers

from TSC. Their price seems to beat most others.

*Here is mine on my BX1500