Tilling Kubota or John Deere

[Carl Bert]

I am planning a small 50x25 garden this year. I own a Kubota B26 and a John Deere GX345. My question is, what would be the best implement to use to turn the dirt. I guess what I'm asking is, should I be looking at tillers or plows, and for which tractor and what size?

 

[dennisgw]

Why would you consider anything other than a tiller? I have a 48" KK which I use twice a year. Once in the fall, working in my mulch from the summer and once in the spring prior to planting. Hard to do that with a plow, especially given the size. Not much of a a problem deciding in my mind.

 

[nybirdman]

If it is a new garden you must break the sod.I would use an inexpensive middle buster(about $150.00) after that with any small tractor; a roto-tiller is best.So which ever has a PTO to run the tiller is the one to use.Size the tiller to the tractor,I would guess a 48 incher.

 

[dennisgw]

48" KK worked fine for breaking up the sod (field grass) as well. I am impressed with the tiller. It takes everything in stride. You can go as slow as you want initially and not take too deep a cut. Once below the roots things get better. I have broken up several pieces of Minnesota field grass, once pasture. I have heavy, black soil.

 

[TripleR]

For that kind of job I prefer a good reverse rotating tiller. I use a Land Pride RTR0550, but KK and others make good models.

It can be done with other equipment, but the tiller really makes a good seed bed and doesn't take very long.

If that is all you will be using it for however, due to the cost I would check on renting one.

 

[bp fick]

A good walk behind tiller is a great implement to own. It has lots of uses during the gardening cycle. Truly useful machine. I have had mine for almost 20 years and wouldn't part with it. I can remove the outer tines and walk the rows, even when the plants are more mature.

Each person sees a 25x50 garden through their own eyes.
To some, that is large enough, I guess, to justify the $1700 expense of a 3 pt tiller. To others, like myself, I'd recommend renting one as well if you felt there was no other way.

Once broken up with a cheap middle buster, I could till that little patch up with a walk behind in no time flat. Again, everyone sees it through their own eyes, and these eyes see that as a small patch and not much to prep.
Shrug.

 

[DAY]

Agree with bp fick and TripleR:50x25 feet is small. Go rent a walk-behind. My local center has a BCS 26", 11 HP Honda engine, for 86 bucks a day. Their 70" 3PT tiller is $135. I did a half acre with it last year.

 

[ZDB]

I believe the GX 345 uses the rear mount belt drive 42" JD tiller attachement.
You can usually find one used for $400-$600 in good condition. You can also resell it for the same if you don't like it.

For a garden that small several passes should break new ground and be a useful low cost/risk solution with the GX 345 unit.

The heavier 48" 3pt tillers are nice but a more expensive alternative and harder to find used at a low price. No doubt you would have more fun with it though.

I have an M7040 with 6' tiller and smile every time I use it.

 

[ZDB]

We have found in that size plot a tiller is more versatile than a plow especially after breaking the new groud for the first time.

Not sure about your ground but tillers do not like rocks all that well.
We pick alot of vegetables here in Central NY but I think rocks outnumber them by at least 2:1.

 

[Carl Bert]

I believe the GX 345 uses the rear mount belt drive 42" JD tiller attachement.
You can usually find one used for $400-$600 in good condition. You can also resell it for the same if you don't like it.

For a garden that small several passes should break new ground and be a useful low cost/risk solution with the GX 345 unit.

The heavier 48" 3pt tillers are nice but a more expensive alternative and harder to find used at a low price. No doubt you would have more fun with it though.

I have an M7040 with 6' tiller and smile every time I use it.

I will definitely look into one. Seems like it would pay for itself in no time. TRIPLER had mentioned a reverse tiller, do you know if these have that capability?

 

[ZDB]

I don't believe the 42" belt drive JD tillers have capability to be reverse rotated.