tractor tiller

[gypsyman]

I am considering the purchase of one of those tillers, that run off the back of a compact tractor. I have a Yanmar tractor, thats rated around 22-23hp. I've seen them at the local Tractor Supply store, and wondering how well they work. The soil around here,N.W. Ohio, has about 3-4 inch's of top soil, and clay under that. I am consistantly adding compost, wood ash,leaves, and grass clippings from the next door neighbors lawn service. Am wondering if the tiller is the way to go, or get a small disc? Thanks for any help!! We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!! Remember-(12/7/41)-(9/11/01) gypsyman

[BIG Dog454]

Gypsyman where are you in NW OH?  I'm down between Holland and Swanton.

[Drilling Man]

  I've been doing custom tilling for many years.  I've kept 3 tillers around in different sizes for my own use, and to work for customers.

  IMO the "best" tillers made are Howard.  If sized right for your tractor, you just can't hurt them!!  These days Howard's are so expensive it isn't even funny!!!  My Howard dealer also sells Mashcio brand tillers and they are proveing to be a good brand for him and are much cheaper than Howards.

  As for your question....  If you have stones or rough going, the off brand tillers or light dury tillers won't last for the long haul.  This is where Howards shine, they just take what ever beating you give them.

  If you stick to gardens where the stones/pipe/fence post ect.  have been removed, then they will do OK for you, but there's NO question that they are a lower end tiller and no comparison to a Howard rotavator.

  A tiller on a tractor IS the way to incorporate compost and much superior to a disc or plow...

  BTW, don't let anyone try to tell you that a gear drive tiller is better than a chain drive!!!  It's really about sizeing the tiller to the hp tractor you have...  Another thing, there IS a big difference between a "garden tiller" and a "field tiller" like Howards rotavators are!

  DM

[gypsyman]

I live in the Oregon-Curtice area. I don't have to worry about rocks or stumps, as the ground I till, is where my parents and now me, have put a garden in for the last 45 years. I have a Troy-built, which I put to good use, but I'm thinking of expanding my garden for both family needs, and possibly to pick up a little extra money. I own alittle over 7 acre's, about 1/2 of that is a small woods. The back 2+ acre's, I let a local farmer put something in. But with food price's going up, and the world situation being the way it is, if push ever came to shove, I'ld like to have alittle extra.(call me a pessimist, I call myself a realist) I'ld rather err on the too much side, than not enough. We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!!Remember-(12/7/41)-(9/11/01) gypsyman