5 ft Roto Tiller Operation

[davesl708]

I have a 5ft. rototiller powered from my BX2200 rear pto.
Does anyone know if there is a best rpm to operate a rototiller of this size.
I am breaking sod and want to know what rpm would be best for this size tiller.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[DanDan]

I have a 5ft. rototiller powered from my BX2200 rear pto.
Does anyone know if there is a best rpm to operate a rototiller of this size.
I am breaking sod and want to know what rpm would be best for this size tiller.

Thanks,

Dave

It's going to be pretty near then engine's rated speed; specs in the manual for my BX1860 are 3142 rpm to get the rated HP and 540 rpm at the PTO.

That's a big tiller for the little beast.
How's it working out?

 

[skeets]

Yup like dandan said wide open,,
Also do not try to sump that bad girl in dirt that has never been worked before,,, run it down about an inch or 2 at first do the whole area then drop it down another inch or 2 and keep doing that over and over until your down to the full depth of the tiller that way you will find roots rocks and all kinds of other stuff that can make for a bad day running your toys

 

[Russell King]

OK there are three RPMS to discuss - the one selected for the PTO and the one for the tractor engine, and the rated RPM of the implement (this RPM is not changeable)

Assuming that your tractor has multiple PTO speeds - some do, some don't - select the gear that produces the correct RPM for the implement. Usually the implement is a 540 RPM implement and the correct gear is #1 on the PTO selector (for example my L185 has 3 PTO speed - #1=540RPM, #2 = 700 RPM and #3 = 1000RPM)

The engine RPM is the same for all three speeds and wide open is close enough. In reality there is a mark on the tachometer at 2430 RPM engine that gets the "exact" PTO output shaft RPM.

As you can see I could run a tiller/mower/post hole digger that is rated at 540 RPM at near twice the implements rated speed using the 1000 RPM selection for PTO speed. I am not that brave so I always run them at the implements rated speed - in my case all are 540 RPM - and I believe that is the common implement speed in the USA.

If you have only a PTO on/PTO off selector - then ignore all my blah, blah blah...and run it at near full engine speed like the others have stated.

 

[davesl708]

Just an update on my post. The 5ft tiller had no problem breaking sod. The BX2200 did not complain a bit. Munched the clay and grass just fine. I ran it full throttle and went 4 inches at a time to full depth. Tilled 1/4 acre with it.

Great little machine.

 

[retiredlawnboy]

I have been using one of my L245DTs with a 5' tiller to break 3 acres and cultivate for 5 or 6 years. The override clutch finally went out. At $2000 dealer repair price I have decided to use a mold board and middle buster first. I did aquire a used clutch, had to crack the tractor in half and replace. The beating the tiller and tractor go through to break ground is more than you realize, Just be aware of the possibility of beating up the inside of the tractor too.

 

[ShaunRH]

I have been using one of my L245DTs with a 5' tiller to break 3 acres and cultivate for 5 or 6 years. The override clutch finally went out. At $2000 dealer repair price I have decided to use a mold board and middle buster first. I did aquire a used clutch, had to crack the tractor in half and replace. The beating the tiller and tractor go through to break ground is more than you realize, Just be aware of the possibility of beating up the inside of the tractor too.

I'm with you. Breaking ground is harsh on a tiller unless its wet or loamy to start with, but it sounds like the OP got it done without a major malfunction.

I know I'll take the advice you're offering lawnboy and moldboard my acre of a garden I want to plant first, then run a tiller on it. It's what I planned to do anyway, but at least I should find all the big rocks with the plow first, but you're reinforcing my thoughts as well! LOL!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You guys are cracking me up with the tilling and mowing advice!
About the only thing I could till or mow would be snow and Ice!

 

[cerlawson]

Use low range and very slow crawl with engine roaring as mentioned.

 

[skeets]

LOL,, your funny Wolfman,, not all of us live in the tundra,,,,lol

 

[Tomcat]

To re-invigorate this post - Russell King's advice sounds good. Not sure what full throttle is, no tach, but wind 'er up and go?