Tiller Sharpening Tiller Tines

hwp · Jun 21, 2003

Do you sharpen the tines on your rotary tiller? If so, how and how often?

I just converted a 3ph tiller to mount on the front of my F2400 - mechanical work is done but thye tiller is now in pieces waiting to be sandblasted and painted. In the process I noticed that the tines seem quite dull and I am wondering if I should sharpen them.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 21, 2003

Good question... I also have a 3pt tiller (KK II 60") I just bought but before that I used a Troy Built for 23 yrs (actually, I had two of them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)... My experience with the Troy Built tells me no need to sharpen since they will wear down to nubs before they get dull. You don't want them to be too sharp because it will just faciliate them wearing down to nubs faster.

The rocks and dirt will do a find job at keeping them in good shape.
They are designed to be the right thickness until they're just nubs... I have replaced tines before and that's what you should focus your efforts on... Knowing when to put new ones on... My measure for determing it's time for new tines.... when they are almost to the bend in the tine...that bend is critical to turning over the ground...

I hope this helps... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bird · Jun 21, 2003

I agree with Eagle Eye; just run them until they get too thin. I think my Bush Hog manual said to replace them when the end was down to a quarter inch wide.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 21, 2003

I've had tillers for decades. Never sharpend the blades and have never heard of anyone sharpening tiller blades.

John

Buster57 · Jun 22, 2003

When I bought my First Choice tiller I purchased extra (right and left) till blades. They cost about $3. each.
Easier to replace the busted ones then mess around with the old ones.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 22, 2003

I sharpened my blades knife sharp to see if I could cut up the grass roots and clumps to keep them from clogging the tiller. Didn't work. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The tiller will not do a good job with the tines coated with vegetative matter. When mine gets clogged up I just pull it off, hang it chest high from my FEL and cut/pull/pry the crud off into the wheelbarrow parked below it and then go back to tilling... Others have suggested using a linoleum knife to cut off the weeds. I find a long heavy screwdriver works well and then I don't have to worry about cutting part of me off too. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Rockdog · Jun 24, 2003

HWP,
I have got a F3060 and I love it. Was wondering if you have tried or heard of putting some kind of a simple hitch on the back to pull a fertilizer/spreader or a lawn sweep.
Thanks, Jerry

hwp · Jun 24, 2003

Hi Jerry

Yes I have a hitch, it bolts on to my suitcase weight carrier. Two bolts and its on or off. I use it to pull my utility trailer, spreader and aerator. I took a picture to attach but I need to reduce it to 100K and I don't have the software loaded to do that just now. I'll post a picture later.

Howard