Tiller

[Lloyd_E]

I am in the market for a small tiller. I do have a 4.5' one for the rear of the tractor but would like to have a small one for around the home & garden - veg and flowers. I am not sure whether I need a rear or front tine. The local husq dealer has a 26" front tine for $599 and a 17" rear tine for $1099. The 26 is in stock, they would have to order in the rear one. Also, they are having an open house next weekend and everything in stock is 15% off... so you kinda know which one I am leaning towards. Would like to know pros and cons of front tine tillers.

TIA.

Lloyd

 

[beenthere]

From my experience, front tine tillers are killers.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Front tine tiller tend to bounce around a lot more.

 

[2720wes]

Pros and cons of a front tine tiller

Pros- I honestly don't know of any

Cons- In hard soil it will beat you down

I last used a front tine tiller when I was 17, wore me out. Got a Troy Bilt at 18 and thought I was in tiller heaven.

You can get a good used TB for $600 or less. Don't know anything about the Husky rear tine but would get that before a front tine

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Pros and cons of a front tine tiller

Pros- I honestly don't know of any

Cost and light weight.

Maybe smaller and easier to store.

 

[oldmech]

Hi! How much large your garden. For small space take the smaller front tines as Small Honda Mantis Troy-bilt etc. more light more easy to run and take less space. For Large garden rear tines tiller are the best Big front tines tiller are heavy and very hard to run in hard soil and not very good for a small body But if your soil is soft . A medium front tiller (5 hp or less) can make you happy. Good luck! Oldmech

 

[Lloyd_E]

Hi All.

My main garden is 30'x50-60'. I usually do this with my 4.5 foot tiller on the tractor. I just added a small 30'x20' section to the garden that I need to till with a smaller tiller - re: purchase. This is a grassed area which will be an initial challenge to till. Unfortunately it is too small to manoeuvre the tractor/tiller around inside the fenced area. The small tiller will also be used to touch up the larger area - corners I can't get with the tracker plus small flower beds around the farm.

The large garden has been worked for two years with plenty of composted horse manure - 2+ years old. It is easy to turn with a fork so I figure it will be easier to do with a small tiller.

The small tiller has a 26" width pass...

I do have access to an old troy built rear tine tiller but it is hit or miss regarding its functionality.

Lloyd

 

[Iplayfarmer]

It might be a situation where you beg/steal/borrow/rent a nice big rear tine for the first go round this year and then get a cheapy front tine tiller to keep up with it from year to year.

 

[Lloyd_E]

Thanks all.

This is the one that I am looking at.

FT900 - Cultivators

 

[2manyrocks]

If you have access to an older Troy Bilt, lots of folks are putting the $99 (on sale) HF engine on them. Here's the thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rototillers/171393-replcement-engine-troy-built-horse.html

If you use a rear tine once, you won't want a front tine.

The Mantis is in a different machine. Best for small gardens and flower beds, IMO.