Tiller tillers & rotary cutters

Oldstuff · Oct 11, 2009

I am a first time tractor owner and poster on this site. I want to make sure I get off to a good start by NOT buying a tiller and rotary cutter that is the wrong size for my tractor. First- I need a rotary cutter to mow 2 areas, to mow a one acre food plot of clover that I now have mowed 2 times a year to keep at a height of 8 inches to help keep weeds ata minimum. I will also mow trails that are existing through my woods, I am not likely to drive through the woods clearing new trails. The tractor is a 1963 Ford 2000 gas engine and from tractor data has a 36 HP engine with 31 HP at the pto. Outside to outside rear tire tread width is 67 inches. I have 2 friends that tell me different sizes, one says 5 foot and the other says 6 foot. I feel sure since knowing my cutting needs that either would do the cutting but a 6 footer is 200 pounds hevier than a 5 footer and I have some uneasiness about lifting 700 pounds with this size tractor to mow a food plot at 8 inches?

3 point tillers- When I see HP ratings in theirs specification it will be something on the order of 17-35 HP and 20 to 45. Should I stay away from the minimum and maximum limits? I really have no knowledge of how wide of a tiller that 31 pto HP can operate without struggling. I am in Missouri and the area I will retill every 3 years is an existing food plot that is good farm ground with no rocks.

Thanks, Oldstuff

jinman · Oct 11, 2009

Welcome to TBN, OldStuff. It sounds like you are making some very well thought-out decisions. I like a 5' cutter on your tractor because it ensures if the tractor goes through, the mower can follow. If you have plenty of clearance on your trails, a 6' cutter will be okay, but since you are cutting only two acres of open field grass. I think a 5' cutter will be fine. That way you can use the extra money for a 6' tiller. The perfect tiller covers your tire treads completely. You have plenty of HP for a 6' tiller and I don't think you will ever regret buying that. I have a 6' King Kutter II and love it. I also think your tractor will have plenty of power, but if you have a problem in some tough areas, you can always remove one set of cutting tines and then put them back on later. So my suggestion would be a 5' cutter and 6' tiller.

BTW: The issue with your tractor is going to be how slow you can go but still keep the engine power up for the tiller. Those of us with HST tractors are spoiled to being able to creep along at full PTO power. In your case, you may have to slip the clutch some at times in tough soil to make the tractor go slower than your gear transmission wants to go. Just be careful to not overheat or wear out your clutch.

jenkinsph · Oct 12, 2009

I agree with jinman with the exception of slipping the clutch, if your low gear is too fast (which I doubt) then make a pass with the tiller raised up to compensate for this and the second pass should be able to run deep. I had an older 820 Deere with an 8 sp transmission and could use either 1st or 2nd gear okay. This 820 weighs about 4000 lbs. was 35 hp and handled my MX6 (1200 lb) rotary cutter okay with front weights.

Steve