BX hooking to a JD 4’ tiller

[fishinroc25]

Hi All! I have a BX1830 and have an opportunity to purchase an older Cat 1 John Deere 4’ 3pt tiller (Pictures attached). I feel like someone told me a long time ago that Kubota‘s can‘t hook up to JD tiller (backwards rotation or something). Seller says everything works properly, “gearbox is tight” and seems to be in decent shape. But I am not savvy to these at all, I just want to use my BX for my light duty tilling needs, not a walk behind tiller! Anyone have insight to this? Or feedback on the unit itself? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[armylifer]

It seems to me that if the PTO coupler fits the one on your tractor and if the rotation is correct, then there should be no issues with using it on your Kubota. I would start by verifying that the rotation is correct. Next I would want to make sure that the driveshaft is the correct length AND that the coupler is the correct size. I think that all that can be verified by trying to hook it up to your tractor and see it operate. See if the seller will help you hook it up and show you how to operate it.

 

[Russell King]

Look at the pto stub of your tractor, does it have that many splines on the tractor? You may be able to get an adapter but you will need to verify the speed of the input to the tiller- is it 540 or can your tractor match the tiller speed requirements?

 

[bucktail]

I think that's the one that Bill Rigsby and Dieselbob bought. If so it's for the 400 series. You'll need new pins new PTO shaft and to change the sprocket on de side to get the speed correct. They are designed for 840 PTO.

 

[bucktail]

If it's a true cat 1 for 540 PTO it should work but that PTO isn't for 540

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm 15 splines, so NOT 540 or 1040(21 splines ?) but I never run at 540 using my tiller,always slower,I'm in no hurry ! Actual speed you can run depends a LOT on soil type and condition like compost, moisture, rocks, etc.
it'd have to be priced 'right' considering you HAVE to 'adapt' the PTO shaft 'somehow' to your tractor.

 

[fishinroc25]

I think that's the one that Bill Rigsby and Dieselbob bought. If so it's for the 400 series. You'll need new pins new PTO shaft and to change the sprocket on de side to get the speed correct. They are designed for 840 PTO.

Thanks all for this feedback. I haven’t been able to check my tractor yet for spline count. But question: if I have to change all that over, any ideas on estimated cost and how hard this would all be to change over? Replacing the pto shaft isnt a big deal. But what about changing the speed gear on the tiller unit?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

to change the speed ,I assume you'd need to open the cover of the tiller(1st picture, left side) and replace a sprocket and chain. very simple math to calculate the required sprocket after you know the original PTO speed and the sprocket's teeth.

 

[bucktail]

You have the standard 540 PTO on your tractor. The thing in your pic won't fit. Like Jay said.you need to change one of the sprockets and the chain to get the ratio right. Dieselbob is the thread you want to find. Bill has a 4 speed PTO so he didn't need to change his. None of things you will need are overly expensive but I'd be looking for a price break. It's busywork you wouldn't need on a standard tiller.

 

[bucktail]

The Dieselbob post is Oct 23 in the fabrication and customization forum. It's worth a read. He went from a 10 tooth and a 30 tooth sprocket to a 10 and a 20

 

[fishinroc25]

The Dieselbob post is Oct 23 in the fabrication and customization forum. It's worth a read. He went from a 10 tooth and a 30 tooth sprocket to a 10 and a 20

Yes thanks. I looked up dieselbob‘s build and it’s quite a bit to do, not sure it’s worth to do. Based on the sellers $600 asking price. It seems if he would sell for $300 +/- would be more worth the time to do.

 

[bucktail]

I wouldn't go 6 on it either. Maybe if I had a 400 420 or 430. I might go a little over 4 but I have a 4 speed PTO.

 

[fishinroc25]

I wouldn't go 6 on it either. Maybe if I had a 400 420 or 430. I might go a little over 4 but I have a 4 speed PTO.

That would be nice to have a multi speed PTO! Yeah, I’m thinking even less on price considering, but will see what the seller says. Thanks for the input!

 

[Tim Horton]

Agree it appears to be a sort of "Frankenstein" assembly of one kind or another..

I would pass on that equipment..

 

[BX23S-1]

Not even worth the hassle, but thats just my own opinion.

 

[mikester]

I'm not a fan of equipment left to rot outdoors. Water seeps in places you can't see or imagine possible and what it looks like outside is probably an indication of how it looks inside. I tend to walk away from stuff that's been neglected.

I buy a tool to get the job done, I don't need to add another new job of constantly repairing old junk or trying to fix someone elses abuse.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

rethinking this tiller.... anything 'grn/yel' seems to demand a high price.... 600 is way too high..
300 would be ok IF it connected to your tractor. I'd suggest $200, then settle at 250... THEN is becomes a reasonably priced project ( needs at the very LEAST a PTO shaft or U-joint)
Obviously USED a lot, can't test, unnown condition, so price it low, to help offset repair costs.

 

[fishinroc25]

rethinking this tiller.... anything 'grn/yel' seems to demand a high price.... 600 is way too high..
300 would be ok IF it connected to your tractor. I'd suggest $200, then settle at 250... THEN is becomes a reasonably priced project ( needs at the very LEAST a PTO shaft or U-joint)
Obviously USED a lot, can't test, unnown condition, so price it low, to help offset repair costs.

AGREED!!!

 

[Bludan57]

AGREED!!!

Uuh, another thing; if the gearbox is a simple 45 and the torque bar drive is a chain, the direction of rotation is wrong...

 

[fishinroc25]

Uuh, another thing; if the gearbox is a simple 45 and the torque bar drive is a chain, the direction of rotation is wrong...

I thought there was a rotational issue as well... Yeah, I need to just pass on this unit. Just need to save my pennies for a CountyLine one (cheaper than Landpride or Kubota). Thanks all!!