Tiller what size tiller???

[Brads 1715]

I've been looking at getting a Tiller for my ford 1715 tractor, Does anyone have any information about what size I should purchase? I'm Thinking around a 5 foot length to cut out my tracks. There is also the question of weather it should be forward or reserve tine direction. Seams like there is a lot of options for my sized tractor and I'm just not sure which one is best for my 1715. I don't have a lot of tilling to do, only about a 3/8 of an acre at my house. But I will be doing some tilling for other gardens around the same size.

 

[Botabill]

What is the HP of your tractor?

 

[Brads 1715]

It has 29hp engion and a 23-24 pto horsepower

 

[CliffordK]

I picked up a used 4 foot Howard for my Ford 1715.
It runs well. Power is just fine.
I have it offset so it mostly covers one wheel.
My biggest problem is that to get my PTO RPM's up, I have to put the tractor into the lowest gear, and run at full throttle.

I believe my tiller is forward (turns the same direction the tractor is moving. I presume turning in reverse would pull more soil forward, and take a little more power, but perhaps would be better at lower RPMs.

I have no doubt the tractor would be able to handle a 5 foot tiller, or maybe even 6.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Get a tiller that covers both tracks. I have a 18 pto hp massey and I easy pull a 5' KK and only run about 1500 rpm, 2500 is 540 rpm pto, and it works well even in the garden that is red clay.

 

[City Farmer]

The 1715 is a great little tractor, never had one problem with it since we bought it new in 97. Starts every time no matter how cold out. I know its hard to believe but it still has the original battery in it too. I sold it to my brother last year because I needed something a little bigger. I have a KK 60" tiller I would use on it and it worked ok. You will have to drive 1st gear low wide open if your going to use a 60" to get a full depth till. If the ground is wet clay it won't work, you'll have to wait until its dry. If you have a lot of Topsoil you'll be good to go.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suspect you will be best suited with the KK60" tiller forward rotation and low gear. In most soils that will be all a 24 pto hp tractor would want.

 

[2458n]

I find that my tillers with forward rotation want to push the tractor forwards and I do not have a low enough first gear to use with a 2 wheel drive tractor. I have a Howard and a John deere, both 5ft.

 

[Dingeryote]

We run a 5' Woods on our 1920 and it's no challenge for it, as long as the skids are set for just 4" or less on hard ground.
Just set draft control to float, set it in a gear that is low enough to let the tiller work and not ride up, pushing the tractor.
If you're going for a deep till, make two passes at increasing depth and just let the tines work. Getting in a hurry is when ya find old chunks of wood and stuff gets bent.

You definately want forward rotating tines. If for nothing else, on loose wet ground, it's like having 5 wheel drive in spots where it's sketchy.
Lord knows, I have gotten our heavier tractors through spots in the rows, where I wouldn't have dared without the tiller, and it always seems to be good and wet when the tilling needs to be done.

Good luck to ya!