Rotary Tiller Size.

[Froghunter]

I'm interested in purchasing a rotary tiller for the new aquired Caser/IH 235 tractor. The tractor has the weight of over 1500 lbs and I have weigths to add if need be. It has a manual trans with high/low range. The engine hp is listed at 18 with a PTO hp of 15.2, this is from tractor data. The tractor will be used to till into the garden fall leaves and green manure/cover crops. The soil I have is sandy and not packed. The model I'm looking to purcahase is the Land Pride RTR 1042 which is recommended for 17-25 hp tractors. I emailed a request for quotes yesterday to the locate dealers and they have none of the RTR 1042 in stock, but have the RTR 1250 in stock which is recommended for 17-35 hp. I'm think this is going to be to much for the tractor. One dealer subjected the RTR 0542 but the unit dosen't have any offset. I'm thinking 42" is going to be max for a reverse tiller and 48" for a forward rotation tiller for the little tractor.

Experinced Advice needed for the tiller cost more then I paided for the tractor!

Thanks!

Bill

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Here is a link to the company that now owns Howard Rotavators.
http://www.solexcorp.com/productfiles/h ... llers.html
It has some charts showing size versus horsepower. I have been told that the quality of them is not what it used to be though if you are thinking about one.

[Eugene]

Have you considered small 3-point hitch implements? 1 or 2 bottom plow, small disk harrow and a spring toothed or peg toothed harrow.

Son and I discussed purchasing a rear tined tiller for farm tractor. Considering that we own the usual soil preparation implements for the Cub and some larger tractors, we couldn't justify the expense.

[Froghunter]

Eugene,

It's hard on me to justify the expense of a tiller too, but I look at the cost over the next 10-20 years.......God Willing! The other problem is that the tractor is primarily going to be used to mow with and has large tuff tires on it. My garden plots are small and just this year I was able to till them with the CCO and CC 104. That is a job plowing with the CCO and 10" Brinly plow. Then disc harrowing with the CC 104 and modified David Bradley disc is a rough ride across the plowed garden plot. I will continue to do it until I am unable to use the Cub Cadets and will use the Case/IH 235 with tiller to prepare the seed beds. The tiller will most likely be the last big purchase for the garden equipment and I want to be spot on with this purchase.

Thanks!

Bill

[jwl]

I plow my half acre garden with a 1963 David Bradley Suburban and either the 6" or 8" plow each yr. Later on i use a 38' Sears roto-spader thats self powered to till a better seed bed. I tried using the 3pt disc but it doesnt do the same job as the tiller and leaves to many ridges.

Jeff

[Gary Dotson]

I don't have experience with reverse rotation tillers but I easily run a 48" forward rotation tiller with my 19 hp Kubota. My tiller is an Agric, it's very well built & does a super job. My 15 hp Kubota also runs it well but does lots of wheelies. I don't think you'll have to worry about traction, even on the smaller tractor I had no traction issue. I couldn't justify the cost of the tiller either but I got it with one of the tractors I bought & sold. I justify it by letting several close friends (whom I can trust) use it too. When they bring it home, it's alway full of fuel and they usually re-stock the shop frig.

[Froghunter]

Jeff,

I enjoy using the little garden tractors to prepare the soil for the garden. The little 7 hp CCO amazes me with the work it can do. It's fun and enjoyable to work on them and keep them running.

Gary,

How does the forward rotation tiller make the seed beds. I looking at tilling in a lot of leafs into the garden this fall and was thinking the reverse tiller may do till them into the soil better. The only experince I have is with a troy bilt horse and my brother inlaw has a 48" county line (King Kutter) from Tractor Supply. I'm not sure if the County Line is forward or reverse till, but it dose a good job.

Thanks!

Bill

[Gary Dotson]

Bill, the forward rotation does a great job, it tills in the trash very well and leaves a very nice seed bed. I'm unclear as to where the reverse rotation would have any advantage over forward rotation.

[DanR]

I use a 48" King Kutter behind a 3 point H. It does a good job in this rock and clay soil. Rock and clay are part of the reason I don't plow just disc and till. In your case I would recommend a tiller but no wider than your tractor. Bigger tiller = bigger tractor.