Tiller Which 3PT tiller do you prefer?

sweettractors · Sep 3, 2004

I am always thinking of the weight of the machine matching the wheelbase and stature of the tractor. We want out customers to keep the front end of the tractor down on the ground without using suitcase weights or leaving on a FEL for ballest (Extra weight at the front, wears out the tractor front end premature)--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *36 to 92 inch First Choice Roto Tillers In Stock*

Darren · Sep 3, 2004

If I bought a tiller, it would be a Kuhn. Look at the options available on a Kuhn for yourself. There's different tine options including some for difficult or rocky soils, gear boxes for changing tine speed, etc. They also make models for all sized tractors and use double wall construction so matter what the tines kick up, you won't see a dent on the outside. I think all of the models with the exception of the smallest one are gear drive.

They're not cheap so for folks who don't use a tiller a lot, it might be hard to justify the cost. If you want the Mack truck of tillers though, buy a Kuhn.

sweettractors · Sep 3, 2004

First Choice also has those models available, however, like you said about Kuhn, The more features a machine has, the more it costs--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *First Choice Tillers with Foreward and Reverse tines, gear drive,speed selectors, side shifting, etc.

Dargo · Sep 4, 2004

Sweettractors, are any of your rototilers made in Italy? I bought a 72" rototiller several years ago that says "made in Italy" on it. That thing is a beast. It is really heavy and I've tilled hundreds of hours with it in all sorts of soil without any hint of a problem. I think I paid just under $1500 for it as well.

dieseldoc · Sep 4, 2004

i pull my WAC 72" tiller behind my 4500 mahindra with no problem,last weekend i plowed 9 acres at my hunting club with the tines set at full depth(some of the ground has never been plowed)and it performed flawlessly..

EricBX2200 · Sep 4, 2004

We have a 48" Woods for our BX23. No complaints. It is awesome.

EastTexFrank · Sep 4, 2004

I have the Kuhn EL-32, 50" tiller. When I got it 3 years ago, it was the only one I could find locally that met the 3-pt weight and hp recommendation and would still cover the back wheels of my B2400. It is an imressive piece of machinery but it does tend to be on the expensive side. I suppose it depends on how much tilling you expect to do and what your soil is like.

The first time I used it to extend my vegetable garden I found some old concrete that someone had buried at some time. It smashed the concrete and pretzelled the rebar before I could get it stopped. It never did it the slightest bit of harm, not even a dent and we just rolled along to finish the job. Impressive!!!!!

sweettractors · Sep 4, 2004

Sweettractors, are any of your rototilers made in Italy? 

Dargo, Most all our Roto Tillers are from Italy and a few USA and NONE from Turkey or China, etc--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 5-6-7 Ft Italian Double Action Sickle Bar Mowers In Stock, Starting at $2195*

HayDR · Sep 4, 2004

Dargo, Most all our Roto Tillers are from Italy and a few USA and NONE from Turkey or China, etc--Ken Sweet 

Ken here are some facts you might want to know on "Country of Origin" for tiller MFG's.

Agric- Spain
Agritor- Spain
BADALINI- Italy
Befco/Rotomec- Italy
BREVIGLIERI- Italy
Buhler/Farm King - Canada
Bush Hog- Maletti- Italy and Maletti componants on HD models
CCM- Turkey
Caroni- Italy
Celli- Italy & Korea
Comeb/ Multivator- Italy
DeLMarino- Italy
FALC- Italy
Fimaks- Turkey
First Choice- Italy
Gearmore- Italy
Howard- Spain & Italy
JD- Italy & Spain
Jinma- China
King Kutter- China, Spain, Italy & Indian components
Krone- Germany
Kuhn- France
LandPride-Assembled in USA- Italian & Chinese components
Maschio- Italy
Maletti- Italy makes NH, Kubota,Woods, BH & Others
Muratori- Italy
Pallidino- Italy
Purva- India
Rhino- Italy
Sicma- Italy
Sovema- Italy
Yanmar- Japan
Yurdusar- Turkey

There are a hundred other MFG & private labels but these are a few of the most popular tillers sold in the World.

Dargo · Sep 4, 2004

Okay...I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised that my "Made in Italy" (but otherwise no-name) tiller seems to be of great quality? I bought it because it looked every bit as well made as the Rhino, JD and Bush Hog brand but was considerably less money. So, you're telling me that it very well could be the same tiller? If so, cool! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif If not, I'm still pleased with the construction and performance of my tiller.

sweettractors · Sep 4, 2004

Looks like the "Facts" look pretty impressive for Italy as the #1 Roto Tiller Mfgr in the world and I personally like the way that country is supporting our efforts in the Global "War on Terror"--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 3 Point Italian Backhoes for tractors 20 to 60 HP, starting at $4300 complete*

Keoke · Sep 4, 2004

Ditto on the Kuhn. Very heavy and solid.
Downside, they are expensive.

HayDR · Sep 4, 2004

The JD 647, 655, 665, 673 & 681 tillers are Sicma SPA manufactured products.

JJT · Sep 4, 2004

I've had a 72" KK for 5 years, it's been great. I've tilled at least 50 acres with this machine, (quite possibly double that), with no issues at all. Every spring I adjust the slip clutch and check the oil and away I go. It's a gear driven tiller. I have some wear on the tines, but I'm probably good for another 5 years before they get replaced. I've never broken a tine, but I've slipped the clutch and chewed up a fair number of flat stones. I rehabbed a cemetary a few years ago and hit a buried marble marker and split the stone, with no damage to the tiller.

sweettractors · Sep 4, 2004

That looks exactly like the "First Choice" RT-04 series.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Refurbished Lift Disc harrows, Starting at $395*

HayDR · Sep 5, 2004

According to JD specifications and comparing them to FC specs., JD is getting Sicma's heavier duty European ZLS series and First Choice is getting the lighter Sicma ZLL series. The JD has the heavier hitch, frame and tailgate than the FC RT-04 (ZLL) series. Only the JD681 is gear-driven but does have a heavier 60 HP gearbox than the, old soon to be discontinued, FC RT10 series. JD tillers are also packaged differently than the FC tillers to minimize rust problems. It looks like that JD standards are more demanding than FC's standards.

nomad · Sep 5, 2004

( I personally like the way that country (Italy) is supporting our efforts in the Global "War on Terror"--Ken Sweet )

Italians have made good money from "oil" throughout the history. Early 20th century, it was their first oil business (olive oil) in the US which they started their Mafia. Now, they are again in "War for Oil".

nomad · Sep 5, 2004

(
CCM- Turkey
Fimaks- Turkey
Yurdusar- Turkey
)

There is no tiller name known as CCM in Turkey. Is it a high quality tiller such as Hisarlar or Ekenler or Yuksel or what? Or, is this CCM tiller a Turkay Tarim tiller, a tiller among many other brands of the same quality with Yurdusar?

sweettractors · Sep 5, 2004

First Choice is getting the lighter Sicma ZLL series 

Definitily not the ZLL series. I have a couple of those in stock with Sicma branding and they are not the same tiller. Since you left the employment of First Choice, the A-Frames, and packaging upgrades have been put on the RT-04 series that I am receiving recently.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New 3 Point Hitch 4-5-6 and V-Wheel Rakes in Stock for Putting up Hay Crop*

HayDR · Sep 5, 2004

You have a "SA" series in stock, that you think is a ZLL. I can understand your confusion since you do not order Sicma tillers factory direct from the manufacturer. I go to Italy every year and have seen all these tillers with my own eyes. JD's specs. show weigh on average 50 Lbs more than the FC tillers. JD uses a heavier PTO shaft as well.
The ZLL pictured below is taken from the Sicma website

The RT04 pictured below is taken from Sweettractors.