Tiller Which tiller is best for the money

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a Kubota B8200 which has 16pto hp. Just wondering what members thoughts were as to which tiller is best for my tractor. I can get a KingKutter 48" for $999 with 0% for 6mos at local TSC. Have looked at Land Pride and Befco also, but are more expensive. Even though the paint on the KingKutter isn't near as good as the other two, it does have all gear drive and weighs more than other comparable brands. It does not have a kickstand, which I think would be useful, but does come standard with a slip clutch. Also, should I stay with the 48" or could my tractor handle wider and should I need to add front weights when using a tiller? Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks
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[Egon]

The width may depend on the soil conditions you will use it in. Chances are 48 inch will do best overall.

Choice of tiler is an individual type decision. It sorta comes down to what you like and price.

Egon

 

[Bird]

Ross, I'd stay with no larger than a 48" tiller if I were you. You might be satisfied with a larger one if you're only tilling pretty soft dirt, but I really doubt it. I used to use a 40" tiller with my B7100 and found it was just the right size for that tractor. As for brands, I really liked and had good luck with my Bush Hog brand, but if I were buying today, I think I'd have to give that KingKutter a try for the price difference. I really can't say whether you'll want front weights, but I don't think they'll be necessary. Tillers are heavy, but don't extend too far behind the tractor so they don't exert the leverage that something like a brush hog does.

 

[jimg]

OK, another question about sizing then. If the soil was first plowed w/ a mold board or disk plow would that enable you to use a wider tiller?
jimg

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If the soil was first plowed w/ a mold board or disk plow would that enable you to use a wider tiller?
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Maybe, maybe not, sorta depends on type of soil, texture, moisture content, etc. If the ground is smooth and level then the tractor will require just a little less power to propel itself than if the ground is plowed up first. Of course, the disk would leave it much smoother than the moldboard.

Maybe someone with more experience with the B8200 and different size tillers can provide better information than I can, but I'll really be surprised if you're happy with a tiller wider than a 48" one.

 

[Chief]

I personally have a Land Pride tiller but I agree with Bird. For the money spent the King Kutter is not a bad tiller. I would not go any larger than the 48" on that tractor. I am VERY happy with my 1584 tiller and it does a great job. I think I got a very good price on it $1650 but you could nearly buy 2 of the King Kutter for that price. They are not as well built as the more expensive tillers but with a little care, I think it should work just fine for you.

 

[BubbaJr]

Hello,
I bought a King Kutter 60" last fall for just over $900. The list price at that time was $999, and I talked to the manager and he gave me 10% off. I don't know whether the prices went up since then or the prices are determined by region, but that price sounds a little high for a 48", and the 60" still lists for $999 at the local TSC.
I think it's a very good tiller for the money. However there is one thing you should check very carefully. I was tilling a flower garden area for my wife, when I cought a 4" log in the tines, and it stopped the tiller and my tractor instantly. After checking things out, I found that the slip clutch was way too tight, and I had to loosen it up quite a bit to get it to slip when it was bound up. Also they come without lube, so be sure to fill up the gear boxes with gear oil, and lube the grease zerks.

PS. As far as width goes, I have a B2910 and it was all my tractor could handle to till our heavy clay soil, I would stick with the 48" with 16HP.

 

[GAKubotaFan]

First choice makes nice tiller. You can get a 44 or 48". I like them better than King Kutter. They are a little lighter and easier on the tractor and to get hooked up. I caught mine on sale and paid $800 for mine.

 

[Bowhunter]

My '86 B9200 is basically the same tractor as your 8200, just a little more power. I rented a 60" Befco tiller this spring to till the garden. I ended up using it for a couple of food plots as well. Ended up double tilling over an acre. The 60" lightly strained the tractor in the food plots a couple of times, but the ground was wet at the time. Your tractor should have no problem running a 48" tiller in most soils, but you will need to add weight to the front. I did at least. With a 48" tiller, the tiller won't be as wide as the rear wheels. Does the King Kutter have the ability to offset to cover the tracks?

 

[Mosey]

I agree with the KK advice, although if you can find a First Choice for the same or less money that might be a better choice. I've never seen a First Choice though, so I can't say much about them. If you see one, look it over and see how it compares. I have 25 HP at the PTO and have stalled the tractor with my 5' KK, so I'd say the 4' one is the biggest you would want. I actually have more trouble with it loading the tractor down in loose soil than I do in unbroken soil. In the loose soil, the tiller digs down really deep and that makes it work hard. I agree that the slip clutch is probably adjusted too tight, since I've never had mine slip but have stalled the tractor.