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ROTOTILLER FOR 860 FORD

D

dave quigley

New User
I HAVE A 860 FORD AND PLAN TO BUY A 72 IN. ROTOTILLER FOR IT. AM I OVER LOOKING POSSIBLE ISSUES WITH USING A 72 IN. CAN A SHORTER ROTOTILLER BE SHIFTED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE TO WORK EITHER TIRE TRACK? WHAT WOULD BE BEST?
 
I have an 860 and IMO I think that they are a whisker fast in 1st gear if the soil is heavy. Power is ample and you can always run shallow for the first pass should
conditions dictate insufficient power at desired depth. If possible rent a tiller and learn from that experience before you buy one. Any reason for wanting a tiller versus a
plow and harrow?
 
I had a 861 Ford that I used a roto tiller behind. They will handle the tiller but, the slowest gear is too fast. You can use it but, it will be a chore to get a good smooth job with it. A tractor with a high/low option or one with hydrostatic drive is a better option for a tiller. I purchased a 35 Massey Ferguson and it is perfect to use my tiller with. Any of the smaller thousand series Ford tractors with the high/low option will be great with your tiller also.
 
If the soil is very heavy (clay) and the ground speed too fast then I fear you will not do a good job of breaking up clumps. Sure, you could till until it was broken up to
your liking but excess tillage depletes organic matter in the soil which is detrimental. Organic matter helps keep the soil loose plus helps retains nutrients and moisture.
 
I did allot of custom tilling with a 66 inch tiller on a 231 Massey, which I think is a few less hp. than a 860 but may have a
slower first gear. It did good in most conditions and when the going was tough I would just go over a few more times and lower the
tiller a little more each time. When I started using a 52 hp Kubota on the same tiller it played with it most of the time. I also
ran a 30hp kubota hydro on the same tiller and it would do ok but would take a little more to get a tough job done. I think you'll
be ok with a 72 but if a 60 would cover your tire tracks it would be easier on your tractor. Several companies do make a 66 inch
also.
 
Having tried one on my 850 5 speed and operating one for a pumpkin patch with a JD 2020 with an 8 speed, the JD was much better suited with lower gears, + the 5 speed was wanting to pop out of gear, these are notorious for that when they have lots of hours on them, wear etc. Even a 4 spd 841 with the auxillary trans to slow ground speed, also slows the pto speed. Just saying, maybe your conditions will work ok in 1st, mine did not so well in these soils.
 
I agree with the guys. A Ford 860 travel speed will be too fast. An 8 speed 3 cylinder would work way better.
 
dave,
I discovered my Jubilee is short on HP and is too fast.
So I bought an old garden tractor, JD GT275 with HST, with a 30 inch reverse acting tiller. Tiller runs in the opposite direction as direction of motion.

If a garden tractor is too small for you, I would look for a tractor with an HST.
I also have two old wheel horse 3 foot disks I bolted together to make a gang disk.
They work well for small garden work. Easier to use than removing mower and putting on tiller. I pull it with an old craftsman mower with a 7 speed gear box tranny. I put bar tires on it for traction.
My local DIY rental rents a Kubota with small tiller.
Many years ago I had a redneck neighbor. He pulled a front tiller behind his old wheel horse with hst.
My CPA had a Wheel horse rear mounted tiller. He no longer has tractor. Not sure if he he still has the tiller.
Just giving you some options.
geo.
 
(quoted from post at 05:01:37 01/10/20) dave,
I discovered my Jubilee is short on HP and is too fast.
So I bought an old garden tractor, JD GT275 with HST, with a 30 inch reverse acting tiller. Tiller runs in the opposite direction as direction of motion.

If a garden tractor is too small for you, I would look for a tractor with an HST.
I also have two old wheel horse 3 foot disks I bolted together to make a gang disk.
They work well for small garden work. Easier to use than removing mower and putting on tiller. I pull it with an old craftsman mower with a 7 speed gear box tranny. I put bar tires on it for traction.
My local DIY rental rents a Kubota with small tiller.
Many years ago I had a redneck neighbor. He pulled a front tiller behind his old wheel horse with hst.
My CPA had a Wheel horse rear mounted tiller. He no longer has tractor. Not sure if he he still has the tiller.
Just giving you some options.
geo.
Click to expand...
THANKS GEO FOR THE OPTIONS, I'M GETTING CLOSER TO THE SOLUTION.
 
(quoted from post at 12:53:39 01/09/20) THE GARDEN IS TO LARGE FOR A WALK BEHIND TILLER AND I LIKE THE RESULTS OF USING A ROTOTILLER.
Click to expand...

Dave, you could get more meaningful help by telling how big the garden is.
 


For four acres I would want to bottom plow it so all the weeds and grass are turned under to make "green manure" which enriches the soil, instead of chopping the weeds and multiplying them. Sure the rototiller makes a pretty smooth surface, but three passes with a disc would make it nearly as smooth without incorporating so much air that you seed germinates and then dies for lack of moisture.
 
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