Best tiller for the money?

[andmel]

I’ve got an L2850 and an L3901, both in the 33-35hp range, class 1 hitch. I’m currently shopping 3pt rotary tillers in 5 and 6 ft width. Looking for make/model recommendations as well as pointers and what to look out for based on other orange tractor owners’ experiences. Also, is there any advantage to running a tiller with or without the fel attached?

 

[Mitjam]

I’ve got an L2850 and an L3901, both in the 33-35hp range, class 1 hitch. I’m currently shopping 3pt rotary tillers in 5 and 6 ft width. Looking for make/model recommendations as well as pointers and what to look out for based on other orange tractor owners’ experiences. Also, is there any advantage to running a tiller with or without the fel attached?

I have a westward tiller, I keep soil tilled so I run a forward rotation on my Lx it’s a 6ft. It’s a gear drive with slip clutch. weighs 600 pounds I find I heavier the rototiller the better less bouncing. I paid $3000cnd. I looked at land pride but just couldn’t justify $5800 for the similar tiller. Whatever brand you buy make sure parts are readily available. Your loader will help with front ballast when tiller is in transport, when your tilling will help when turning in loose soil.With the weight on the front it will also help out with traction when in 4wd

 

[Old Machinist]

I think most of the tillers on the market are pretty similar but I would recommend not buying one of the no name china brands. I would venture to guess they all have a china made gearbox. Try to find one with at least a 1 year warranty sold by a company that will stand behind it.

I bought a 6' Country Way tiller from RK a few years back. Saved a bunch of money but got what I paid for. I had to go through the whole setup process to get it safe for working even though the RK mech told me it was all serviced and ready to work. Turned out it only had a 30 day warranty and that was up by the time I figured out why the top gearbox was low on oil and the side gearbox was over filled. I guess the side seal in the top gearbox is either leaking or was left out. To use it I just drain the side box down to level and refill the top gearbox. I don't usually run it long enough for it to matter but it would be nice if I didn't have to do that. I did track down the importer that RK bought it through and they sent me the seal and gaskets. I just haven't taken the time to tear into it.

On another note I hooked it up to my LX3310 this year and it pulled it fine.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have a Land Pride that I have only used a couple of times, but I was very happy with it's performance.

I ran mine with the FEL attached because I had plenty of room to turn around. Other than that I can't see the FEL being a big deal.

The one thing I do regret, is getting the "slip clutch" version. I think I should have not been so short sighted and picked a "shear bolt" design.

Its kind of a PITA to adjust/maintain the slip clutch and just one more "maintenance item" to deal with.

Having a pocket full of shear pins and replacing when needed seems better/easier to me now that I have to maintain the "clutch".

Also I went with a "forward" rotating model because I have tons of rocks to deal with.

I am glad I did that though, sometimes that thing jumps like crazy, but I think its better to jump around than to 'dig in".....

 

[mikester]

If you can find a used that was one stored indoors they won't have a lot of hours on them.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

My 5' tiller is on my other orange tractor. Made in Italy tiller, HEAVY, has sideshift,used, $1500 10 years ago so I dig under the right tires. The left tire track becomes the footpath for the veggie gardens. ALL tillers will work fine in previously plowed ground. NONE like clay.
if FEL is on, id reduces your turning/ steering ability.

 

[D2Cat]

I think most of the tillers on the market are pretty similar but I would recommend not buying one of the no name china brands. I would venture to guess they all have a china made gearbox. Try to find one with at least a 1 year warranty sold by a company that will stand behind it.

I bought a 6' Country Way tiller from RK a few years back. Saved a bunch of money but got what I paid for. I had to go through the whole setup process to get it safe for working even though the RK mech told me it was all serviced and ready to work. Turned out it only had a 30 day warranty and that was up by the time I figured out why the top gearbox was low on oil and the side gearbox was over filled. I guess the side seal in the top gearbox is either leaking or was left out. To use it I just drain the side box down to level and refill the top gearbox. I don't usually run it long enough for it to matter but it would be nice if I didn't have to do that. I did track down the importer that RK bought it through and they sent me the seal and gaskets. I just haven't taken the time to tear into it.

On another note I hooked it up to my LX3310 this year and it pulled it fine.

Get you a tube of corn head grease, $6.

 

[Yotekiller]

I have a 5' King Kutter II tiller than I bought used. It had only been used once and I got it from a friend for $600. It's a really heavy duty tiller that comes in at around 700lbs. It works very well and parts seem to be readily available..

 

[Old Machinist]

Get you a tube of corn head grease, $6.

Already done and done. It still leaks to the side gearcase.

 

[andmel]

Thanks all for the info

 

[fried1765]

If you can find a used that was one stored indoors they won't have a lot of hours on them.

I have a new 60" King Kutter tiller, still in the crate, that I would sell.
Don't know what I would sell it for though.
In extreme Eastern MA.

 

[TGKY]

I have a tartar. It’s able to be set up as reverse or forward. I changed it from reverse to forward and back to reverse. I did have a seal go bad where be tiller shaft connects to the side gear box. It was not bad to replace and not expensive. It was readily available. I’m not convinced that in all my reversing and unreversing I didn’t get something not quite in line causing the seal to wear.
I also till around 10 acres per year which I think is more than a lot of them get used.

 

[Rosohatica]

Hi, I have recently bought tiller from India. Brand is called Land Force. It was little over $1200. I am not sure if that particular brand is available in USA, but if any of the brands from India are available there, I would recommend. I still haven`t tried out mine, but I surely inspected it. It is massive made, and details seem to be done with precision. I inspected gearbox with endoscope camera. And I have read other people experiences and they are more than happy.
Other brands from India available here include: Lancer and Solis. India has a strong history in agriculture and tractor making. New Kubota EK1-261 sold in Europe and USA is made in India too. There it sells as Farmtrac 26, different color, same tractor for 50% less. I assume that is the case with some of the EU and USA tiller brands - they paint it and put their brand name on it and charge it more.
Attached find a few images of my tiller. It weights cca 620 pounds and has a gear transmission, not chain.

I’ve got an L2850 and an L3901, both in the 33-35hp range, class 1 hitch. I’m currently shopping 3pt rotary tillers in 5 and 6 ft width. Looking for make/model recommendations as well as pointers and what to look out for based on other orange tractor owners’ experiences. Also, is there any advantage to running a tiller with or without the fel attached?