Tiller sub-compact rear rototiller: forward vs reverse tine direction

[cfb]

Hello,
I've not heard of reverse tiller direction until I started looking for a sub-compact. At least in the Kubota make, I'm uncertain between the BX2380 and B2301.
This is what I've read here and/or heard by Messick's and others:
a. a reverse direction takes more HP
b. a reverse is better for established gardens - provides a nice finish at the end
c. reverse is more aggressive, leaves a deeper, cleaner seedbed, in fewer passes
d. forward is ideal when require shallow till depth
c. Kubota dealer told me that all tiller manufacturers are interchangeable between tractor brands as long as it is with a Cat I hitch. I have to find out yet the difference between a full Cat I and a limited Cat I.

I have an established garden, so only its a maybe if I'll till up new ground which I may if making swales. Even though I've been improving the soil for 30 years, it is far from soft loam. I plant a cover crop each winter.
I have a old ford 16HP diesel lawn/garden (mow/plow snow/rototill) that I'm replacing - very difficult for parts now) that did a pretty nice job of tilling and when soil is right, I get a nice smooth planting bed. However, in the past - not sure if that is why I replace the shaft end bearings, I added a sand sack to try and penetrate a bit deeper. I have a similar age 448 Ingersoll. It tills nice and penetrates for some reason faster than the Ford. Both are forward directional.
Not sure if there is a price difference between the two directions

Just wondering from experience what you all think of these two types of directional tillers. I suppose are tillers either one or the other or does someone offer one that does both?
I guess they make tillers to fit the size tractor, so what I'm looking at is around the 23 HP range give or take 1-2HP perhaps.

Kubota says they own Land Pride. But the SRT 48: that the Massey dealer recommended as I think it was a 1/2 inch deeper depth, which I'm also interested in. Currently, I guess I never measured, but I only go deeper if I first spaded an area. My plot is about 60"x60".

It is probably one of those decision where I'll be happy whatever I get, but wanted to be as informed as possible.
thanks

 

[art]

The reverse rotation is like tilling twice in one pass! We don't have to much ground in our area that doesn't have stones so we don't sell to many reverse tine tillers.

 

[mike48130]

The biggest thing I heard was the HP draw and traction. With the reverse tiller, the tines are trying to pull the tractor backwards, so your tires will dig in more, or slip based on tires and weight. I never used a reverse, I have a KK 60", and has done everything I've needed it too. I do more landscaping tho. I don't do a yearly garden, but have done it for the neighbors, and seemed to work great.

 

[Overtaxed]

Reverse rotation does a better job in one pass, but it really doesn't like rocks. Forward rotation, go slower or make 2 passes, wind up with a similar/identical result. IMHO, the question of rotation direction comes down to "do you have a lot of rocks". If yes, forward rotation, if no, either forward or reverse, but lean towards reverse.

 

[mddorange]

Here we have a lot of tree roots and that is worse than rocks. I have seen reverse tillers actually stall a tractor when caught on a large root.

 

[TORQUIN]

It could also come down to seat time. Some of us like seat time and don't mind taking extra passes though the garden, so we'd lean towards forward rotation. Then there's those other things, power, traction, rocks, etc.
I have a quarry in my garden and I like seat time, so it's forward for me.

Chris

 

[cfb]

Thanks all for your comments. I believe I get the idea now of the reverse digging in. I borrowed my Father-in-law's little cultivator and even my dad's little Mantis and when I pulled backwards on them, they dug in further. I don't have rocks or roots in my current plot. And I don't mind the seat time. Maybe a newer tractor with more HP will make the job easier or faster. Currently, I make a single pass with the total width of the tiller to bust up the winter cover crop or after harvest, but then it goes better when I just take half passes, have on the previous pass and half on the next row, so to speak. When the soil moisture is just right, I get a good seed bed. I have not compared price yet between the two.
I'd be curious if any wanted to share what models tiller you have with your compact - and if any are able to adjust over, I guess called offset if using a narrower than wheels tiller so that just one side is covered in a pass. thanks again. cfb

 

[bigtiller]

I have had both types of tillers on my garden tractors.
The rear tine direction is best for really hard ground and busting sod for the first time.
The forward tine direction is best for incorporating mulch.... If you want to put several inches of leaves/grass clippings/etc. in the garden and till them in, this is the one you want.

 

[tractorshopper]

I have a BX 2380 with reverse tiller Land Pride RTR1250. I had the same one on my L3800, but that was a foot wider. In any case, I love my tiller. Does a great job for me. Tractor has plenty of HP to handle and frankly I think my BX could have used my RTR1260 had I just kept it. Would have been heavier, etc, but I do think it could have handled it. Handles the 1250 with no issues. Tills deep and very nice finish.

Anyway, do not buy the landpride RTR0550. The 0550 is terrible. Short tines, not as deep. Shear pins break easily. Spend more time putting in new shear pins than tilling. My brother bought that one with his BX at first and regretted it until the day he took it back to the dealer.

 

[jeff9366]

Not sure if there is a price difference between the two directions

Just wondering what you think of these two types of directional tillers. I suppose are tillers either one or the other or does someone offer one that does both?

It is one of those decision where I'll be happy whatever I get, but wanted to be as informed as possible.

Reverse direction tillers must be constructed considerably heavier than forward direction tillers due to stress of implement pulling against the tractor. Reverse direction tillers cost considerably more than forward direction tillers.

For your 60' X 60' kitchen garden I opine that forward direction internal chain drive would be as satisfactory as internal gear drive. I will also guesstimate that forward direction tillers are 95% of the market; reverse direction and bi-direction tillers combined 5% of the market.

You should research C-shaped rototiller tines versus L-shaped rototiller tines.

LINK: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...s-different.html?highlight=C-TINES+VS+L+TINES