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Eveleth MN

What size would be recommended for a 2400 ft^2 patch? I Used a friends 3hp front tine and it pretty much sucked (trying to break ground with it) but I got the job done after SEVERAL hours. With Spring coming I've been looking at getting a new one this spring and was wondering what would be a good one to go with for size(it WILL be rear tine) Is Counter rotating better than forward rotating, and what are the brands to look at. I don't want a cheaply built unit but I also don't want to break the bank (or piss the wife off :) ) I've got about 700$ at most to spend

2/24/2004 10:01:04 PM

[email protected]

Ours is an 8HP Kubota Rear Tine. I wouldn't want a smaller one. And I'd never buy any front tine tiller of any type. Dangerous buggers! LOL

2/24/2004 10:39:52 PM

Eugene, OR

The bigger the better!! I would definitely go with the biggest tiller you can afford. 2400 sq ft. is a good size patch and a larger, more powerful tiller will definitely make it a lot less work.

I personally would prefer the counter rotating rear tines. Having the tines rotating towards the back of the tiller helps hold it back when tilling new gardens or heavily compacted soil. Not having to hold the tiller back all the time makes it a much easier job.

On the other hand, counter rotating tines can also make it hard on you in soft soil. The counter rotation tends to hold the tiller back, causing you to lose traction. The forward rotating tines will help push you along in soft soil. Pushing a tiller is almost as much fun as holding one back!!

I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

Brian

2/24/2004 11:18:08 PM

Okla

Sears makes a DUAL Rotation, Rear Tine Tiller. Works GREAT.

2/24/2004 11:48:35 PM

Deer Park WA

We rip our 5000 sq ft patch with a two bottom plow, mixing up the compost, cover crop, sand and stuff. Then disc it in. After letting it sit for a while I run over the actual planting sites with our old 5 hp Sears frot tine tiller and then build the hoop houses/cloches. The front tine tiller is used through out the season to groom the open area and fluff up high traffic spots. Once we win all the prize money for the biggest squash and pumpkins we will be able to buy a proper 3-point tiller attachment for the tractor! I will still use the crap out of the front tine 5-Hp tiller for planting sites and fluffing responsibilities though...

2/25/2004 1:09:51 AM

Indiana

I have a 1970's Troybuilt "horse" model that is rear tine. I have used it to till up and maintain ~30,000 sq feet of ground. Very dependable, and does a good clean till job. Depending on the age and quality, you can usually find them for $350-1000 used.

With all the tilling I do, I have never broken anything but a bolt on the tilling depth adjustment lever. Not even a belt.......

Tom Beachy

2/25/2004 1:39:43 AM

Waquoit Mass

troybilt the only way to go last forever always get parts 5% or 6^ ponys dave

2/25/2004 7:53:44 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

I would have to recommend Troy-Bilt also. 2400 sqft garden would justify a horse or big red model, 8 to 10 h.p. for sure.

Counter rotating tine models are mainly used to create new planting beds. The counter rotating action is designed to break up sod and other hard soil types. These type of tillers are generally outfitted with ripper tines.

Foward rotating tine models with bolo tines are designed for already established gardens. They do an excellent job of chopping and burying organic material.

Tilling the garden is a great stress relief after a bad day at work. Have fun Dean o

2/25/2004 8:34:25 AM

Schenectady,New York

I have a Troy Built proline 5.5 hp Honda powered with counter rotating bolo tines.It does a fine job tilling virgin soil and burying the sod.The counter rotating tines help to force the tines deeper in the soil so you can till deeper but it's a little rough on you if you till too deep on your first pass.I've used both regular and crt tines and it's a matter of choice as both work real well.You definately won't a good rear tine tiller as they are easier on the body.My first tiller was a front tine and it was a tough job trying to till new soil with it.Check for a used Troy built horse if money is a concern as a new Troy built that would fit your needs starts at around $1000 and goes up from there. Ray

2/25/2004 9:57:33 AM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

I've got a 6.5 hp Troy Bilt that is pretty much
toast after only 5 years. This one must be a lemon.
The transfer case leaks oil all over, and the Briggs
and Stratton engine is all wacked out. I think it
could perform better with a tune up. Like I say, this
one must be odd compared to Troy-Bilt's reputation.
Also, 6.5 hp is not enough.

On the other hand.... <big grin> I just bought a 1950's
Ford 8N tractor. And since I have one of those mini-tillers
(Honda) for going between the rows of peas... I may never
fix the Troy Bilt tiller.

Regards, Cliff

2/25/2004 10:01:09 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

i have a troy thats around 15 years old can't complain about it! i did replace the briggs engine on it when it got tired, just over $200.00 bucks from northern-tool for the briggs

Glenn

2/25/2004 10:25:39 AM

Western Pa.

I'd definately go with an older Troy-Bilt, ever since MTD took them over a few years back, I haven't heard much good. AlexDad, why haven't you chimed in yet?

2/25/2004 11:35:36 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

You Are Right Kilr, besides, you can buy the mtd, rear tine for half the cost or less, Love Troy built, the OLD models, CLIFF, if ya give up on the old 6.5, send her over to Mn. LOL, I don't have that much to till and all I have is two ANCIENT mid tine tillers, 5 and 3.5 h.p.

2/25/2004 12:28:43 PM

Indiana

BCS makes a great machine if you can afford one.
Steve

2/25/2004 6:14:54 PM

Schenectady,New York

Since mtd took over Troy built there are only a couple of models that are worth anything.The first one is big red the 10 hp horse, 2nd is the 8 hp horse, they also make 2 medium models that are still good the 7 hp pony and the commercial 5.5 hp honda engine. Stay away fron the 6.5 hp super bronco at discount stores as they are all too light for heavy tilling and will fall apart. Go to the Troy built web site and see for yourself. The good tillers start at $1000 and go up to about $3000 depending on your needs. Ray

2/25/2004 8:46:35 PM

Midway City, California

Moodog you are right the BCS is the one for me too. I brought a used BCS made in Italy three years ago for 500 Hundred dollars. It is atleast 15 years old. Runs like new and starts on the first pull of the rope. They now have a factory in washington state.

2/25/2004 9:08:16 PM

mcminnville oregon

yOU GUYS ARE KILLINNG YOURSELFS!!!!! i WORK AT A RENTAL YARD?? ARE 24HP JD OR KABOTA TRACTOR RENTS FOR $85 4HRS $158 DAY?? OUR MEATEATER HYDROLIC SELF PROPELLED REAR TINE $49 4HRS $79DAY! REMEMBER THE CUSTOMERS ALWAYS RIGHT?? ANND WEEKENND DEALS OR OVERNIGHT DEALS ARE BEST??? i AGREE WITH GADS ABOUT CONNSTANNTLY USINNNG SMALLER 5HP OR 2CYCLE MANTIS THROUGHOUT SEASON FOR WEEDS AND FLUFFFFFF CHECK ABOUT 3PT RENTAL $50

2/25/2004 9:19:24 PM

[email protected]

NEW? I'd pass on Troy Bilt. Older ones are the best. Kohler M series cast iron block with the L-head. 8HP. Lot's of cast iron. M series is illegal now but you can still buy the engine if you have the serial number from the original. SWEEEEETTTT!!!!

BCS is also sweet.

Our old counter rotating Kubota isn't made any more, but if you can find a rental center selling one that isn't thrashed I'd still recommend it.

New Honda's are OK if the BCS is out of reach.

2/25/2004 9:51:15 PM

Eveleth MN

I haven't found ANY used ones at all locally, I would rather buy a bigger "used" one than a smaller new one though.

2/25/2004 10:46:53 PM

Kenyon, Mn.

Tremor, why is the M series cast iron Illegal?? Funny how anymore new IS NOT better, geez, what ever happened to workmanship!! Like this old puter, fiance has a brand new HP, and my old dell blows it out of the water,in every aspect. Everything is made to be disposable nowadays :<{

2/26/2004 7:52:21 AM

Western Pa.

A few years ago, I called Troy-Bilt about a "Horse". These were equipped with a Kohler engine, which I have had very good luck with and consider one of the best. At the time, they only had 6 of these tillers left. Because of "California Emissions" they were forced to drop the Kohler engines.

2/26/2004 8:45:16 AM

Eveleth MN

Kohler engine are great too, I like my Craftman 14hp mower which has a Kohler that runs smooth and quiet and the spin on oil filter is nice also.

Back to roto-tillers I found a decent deal at the local Sears store, they have a 7hp rear tine craftman in which the tines can go both ways. Regular price is 700 and they have 100 bucks off for 600 and I can get another 10% off If I have my Grandma buy it because she retired from sears and gets 10% of everything so it would be around 570$ after tax. I'm thinking about this one and If I don't like it after a year I can sell it and probibly brake even on it.

2/26/2004 9:07:53 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

I would not pass up an offer like that. The sears tiller should get you through this year for sure. If I were you I would still keep an eye open for for a used troy.

2/26/2004 9:36:29 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

Rancherlee, where the heck is Eveleth???

2/26/2004 10:47:10 AM

[email protected]

YIKES!!! Too many trade shows this week. TWO major internet message board blunders yesterday. Sorry.

Kohler M series is current & legal. But it's not the good one.

Kohler K series is the one we're after. Hard starting. But all the balls & runs forever. All cast iron. Not a cheesey sleeved cylinder. Burned a lot of oil during break-in. But once that motor is dialed, they just go & go. Smooth & quiet. Power to spare. Those who have owned one for a while understand.

K-301 is the one. Illegal since it can no longer meet the current smog standards (Thanks California!). So Kohler caved in & the new stuff is overhead valve aspirated & loaded with Aluminum parts cast in Mexico & Asia. But demand remains very high for the K engines. See their website:

http://www.kohlerengines.com/k_series.html

Entire internet message board forums are dedicated to this motor. The K Series has a sort of cult like following that is hard to describe.

I ran a power equipment shop for some time for my current employer & must admit I miss the smell of stale gas & grease sometimes. I have a small collection of K-Series myself. Sometime I go out to the garage just to smell one. LOL I told you it's hard to explain!

Steve

2/26/2004 11:01:27 AM

Eveleth MN

Eveleth is north of Duluth 60 miles, home of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

2/26/2004 5:07:55 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Sorry Kilr been on the road to Bill Rica....LOL...If it has MTD associated with it I wouldn't go near it! they are only to be used on pre tilled areas....in otherwords they are not tillers....learned the hard way and they won't back the product...got me a sears front tine 5 hp and it does a great job on the patch...2400 is plenty and you might want to get something larger. chuck

2/26/2004 8:28:55 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Chuck you should have told me you were coming to Bill Rica!
Glenn

2/27/2004 8:09:40 AM