Tiller Tiller vs. a Disc

[RobJ]

Been looking at tillers, pretty pricey. Wondering what's the biggest advantage over a disc. A disc is a lot cheaper and from the one I'm using now (little bigger tractor) I can run over it several times and get the mostly sandy loam to turn to power down to about 9 inches. I've seen some tillers in action on the web and they really didn't seem to get in real deep. I would really like to see some in action for real. And on virgin soil do the roots and such get tangled around the tines very bad.

Or are you supposed to run a disc or cultivator over the to be tilled field first.

Thanks for the info.
Rob

 

[beenthere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...........I can run over it several times and get the mostly sandy loam to turn to power down to about 9 inches. .............. )</font>

If you can do that, I see no reason for the 'expensive' tiller. But I would opt for the tiller over a disc anyday, if I wanted the most versatile attachment for working up ground. But, one needs to consider all the seat time one wouldn't get using the tiller.

I'd suggest trying to rent a tiller to see for yourself what they can do.

 

[RonR]

If all you have is sandy loam (no rocks) and have time, a disc is fine.

Either one, hitting a rock or tree roots is not fun. Tiller will either slip the clutch, shear a bolt, or shut down the tractor (if you are at too low RPM). Disc will just go "CA-CHING" when it hits a rock. The noise will hurt your ears, but most likely it won't break anything.

Take a tiller into foot tall grass and you will spend hours digging the stuff off the tines/shaft when you are done. Anytime I have to till virgin stuff, I rotary mow it as close as possible and remove the debris or let it dry a LONG TIME.

The roots stuff typically won't wrap that much, at least that's what I've found.

ron