Tiller for BX23

[bitseeker]

I am considering the Land Pride RTR 2056 tiller for a BX23. I like the Reverse Rotation tilling and the ability to offset 10". It is the smallest Land Pride with reverse tiller rotation (which is reputed to hold the tiller down and handle rocks better.) I don't know if any other brands offer reverse tiller rotation.

Has anyone used this combination?

The Land Pride spec for the 20 Series is 23-40 HP and the BX23 is rated at 22 HP. Are Kubota horses large? Oh, yea, 4,000 ft elevation, which probably cuts the horsepower some. Turbo? ;-) Is just operating more slowly OK to offset the Horsepower gap?

The Tiller is shown at 525 pounds. Is this too much implement for the BX23? Iv'e got bar tires and chains for all of them, if traction is a limit.

I have rocky volcanic soil and like the idea of a stronger implement.

All suggestions and cautions are welcome.

Thanks,
BS

 

[Bob_Skurka]

You should check the HP rating of the tiller and find out if that rating is a PTO HP requirement.

Many implements give a HP rating and that rating is NOT the engine HP it is for the PTO HP. These ratings, and how they are given will vary from one manufacturer to another. But if you need a minimum of 23 PTO HP for that tiller and you only have 16~17 available then you are in way over your head. If the rating is for engine HP then you are pushing things a bit, but you might be able to get away with it???

I don't know what the BX23's PTO HP rating is, but I would guess it is about 16 or 17 PTO HP if the engine is rated at 22.

 

[Rimmer]

BS --

Just a couple of thoughts, for whatever they may be worth:

I have a Land Pride RCR1548 Rotary Cutter, which is listed as weighing 475 pounds. Although this is 50 pounds lighter than the tiller you are asking about, the center of gravity of the RC is quite a bit further back. My BX23 has no trouble lifting the RCR1548.

Given the weight of tractor, FEL, and tiller, I doubt if you would have a traction problem. Then again, I have no experience with a reverse rotation tiller, so I don't know how hard they pull.

Regarding power, I think you will find that the tiller rating is PTO HP, not net engine HP, so what you have to work with is more like 16, not 22. Considering that (as you suggested) you may need to derate some for altitude, you would have quite a power deficit (at least 25%) with respect to the recommended PTO HP. Whether this really matters or not, or can be overcome by operating technique, I don't know. If you start out with not enough power to spin the tiller in the soil, then have to drag it "backwards" at the same time, you might not get the desired results. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

My tiller is a Land Pride RTA1550, which is rated for 17 to 35 HP. This is a bit larger than the 42" recommended by Kubota, but it seems to work fine for me. I am at about 380 ft. MSL here, BTW.

Have you asked your tractor dealer and/or implement dealer what they think about this setup? Will you be the first to turbocharge your BX23??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Can't comment specifically on the BX, but I run a 50 inch tiller with my JD 4010 (14 PTO HP). I turned an acre of pasture into a smooth lawn with this thing. I have no problems powering the 50 inch.

What I don't know is how much more HP the reverse action uses.

Bob

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Somewhere I was reading that the reverse action tillers require something like a 35% premium in HP to run effectively??? Can't remember where I saw that, it might have been one of the manufacturers specs sheets.

I know that whatever it was, I decided NOT to buy a reverse tine tiller because of the number. My smaller tractor has 19pto and I want a tiller that will operate with both of my tractors so the biggest one I can use on my NH is the limiting factor. When I looked at the reverse tine units, 19pto hp did not seem adequate to power a tiller in the 54" inch range, which is about the size I would like to get.

I think a lot of things are soil dependant too. If you have rocks, you probably need more power. If you have heavy soil or clay, you probably need more power. If you are powering through sod, you probably need more power. If your soil was previously worked, even if it was a couple seasons ago, you probably need less power. If the soil is regularly worked, you definitely need less power. If you have sand, you probably need less power.

 

[Bob_In_MN]

Bob,

I would bet the 35% number isn't far off. The reverse action really pulls the tiller into the ground. When I was leveling the pasture and the tiller would "auger" into a "peak", you could really feel the engine work. I would think a reverse action tiller would be like that most of the time.

So--my comparing a 14 HP PTO tractor and a 50 inch regular action tiller is not a good analysis in this situation.

Bob

 

[art]

For the most part the reverse rotation is only needed on walk behind units. The hydro allows you do fit a speed to the tiller and the job but it will work great. The Kubota tiller for them retails at $1642.

 

[bitseeker]

The BX23 PTO power is listed at 16.7.

An E-mail to Land Pride was quickly answered that the RTR2056 requires 23 HP PTO, so it's not an option.

The 10 and 15 series Land Pride tillers both require 17 minimum PTO HP (even the 34" RTA 1034).

It sounds like the BX23 might be too small for tilling. :~(

--BS

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Befco has a tiller that has a 15hp minimum requirement. Befco equipment is very well made, but is not very well known. They make several different tiller series with different HP requirements, each series has 3 or 4 sizes of tillers. I would think you might want to look into their small series tiller and then pick one on the small end of that series range.

 

[UncleAl]

Woods makes a whole series of implements sized for subcompacts. Check out this link.

http://www.woodsonline.com/turf_grounds/estate/GTC_Tillers.asp

 

[Bob_In_MN]

BS,

You're BX should be fine for tilling with a non-reverse action tiller.

As I said before, my 4010 runs the 50 inch tiller with no problems. As Bob S. has mentioned--soil conditions do make a differnce. Along with the pasture project (which consisted of a nasty combination of dirt, weeds, roots, rocks, etc), I have broken sod with this tractor/tiller combo.

Your BX might not have the 3 PT lift height of my JD (which can be a small problem on uneven ground), but it should run a tiller just fine.

Worst case scenario--you buy a regular action tiller and have to make 2 passes. The way I look at it--that's more seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob

 

[Rimmer]

"It sounds like the BX23 might be too small for tilling. :~("

Don't you believe it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My '23 handles the RTA1550 just fine, and many others have mentioned using 48 to 50 inch tillers with 17 or fewer PTO HP.

If you should decide to go with the Land Pride, go with the 15 series rather than the 10 series. The 15 has much greater offset capability (gearbox slides on a horizontal, transverse shaft).

 

[RonR]

I went with a Bush Hog 52" with my BX2200. I wanted something that would cover my tracks without messing with the offset. We have hard clay. I jumped into the hard-pack in July and it turned it into fine powdery soil in no time. Never got above 1600RPMs and the motor never acted like it was doing any pulling at all. I've posted this before, but when I had it set for 4" depth, the tiller hopped and bounced a lot. I moved it to 2" and made multiple passes. On the second pass, the skid shoes were over 2" deep. The tiller was smooth as silk. I don't ever plan to change from the 2" setting. Multiple passes will more than compensate for depth requirements.

Hope this helps.

Ron

 

[Inspector507]

I run a 48"+/- Yanmar tiller behind my TC18 Hydro that has 14 PTO HP...........does fine. Of course I have only done ground that has been tilled or used for the garden in previous years. I have not done much in sod though.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

It sounds like the BX23 might be too small for tilling. :~(

Nope, I have a First Choice 48 inch unit, works great. Paid about $1000 2 years ago.

 

[MidMichigan]

I have a Howard Rotavator HR3-50 for my BX2200. I coudn't be happier with it. Takes me 5 minutes to do what would have taken an hour with the Troy built walk behind we have. Last fall I worked up an area in the field so I can plant Pumpkins in it this year. The ground I worked hasn't been plowed in close to 30 years, I had no problem busting the sod with my tractor and tiller. When I planted the potatoes this year I didn't even have to dig the holes the ground was so soft and fine I just took the potatoes and pushed them under the ground with my fingers. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Our ground is mostly clay.
Lisa

 

[BANDAMAN]

A local Kubota dealer told me a story about a guy he sold a BX1500 (only about 10 pto hp) to. The guy wanted a tiller but, the dealer was out of the 42" unit he usually sells. He loaned the guy a 50" tiller which worked out fine. The dealer no longer carries anything smaller then the 50" unit. Like many others said, take your time, make several passes. The BX23 probably has more than enough juice to run a tiller.

 

[Tom_H]

The BX23 has PTO HP of 16, the same as my BX2200. I run a MuratoriM MZ2s 37" tiller on it. The tiller requires 10 HP min. at the PTO. The combination pulverizes my hard adobe clay (even when dry and brick hard). The BX23 has plenty of power for this small tiller. With your altitude situation, it could be the right choice for you.

 

[DannyD]

I have a bx2200 and a 48' KK tiller, works fine....even though I am on the edge of the hp side of things. I can lift it fine, but when I come out of a dip with it lifted the front end is light. The drive shaft on mine is short which can make putting in the PTO not to much fun, but it does a great job on my rocky clay soil. I even have couple of dings in the tiller top to prove it can take rocks........

my pto is rated at 16 to 17 with a 23 hp engine. run at 540 rpms no matter what.

 

[HayDR]

bitseeker,
You might want to look at the CCM Gear Drive tillers. This is a commercial grade tiller at a consumer price. We have 3 models that work fine on your BX. And yes we ship to Calif.