Tiller opinions - C series compared to the D series

[brandonozz 168]

I have been using a tiller on my C120 - 8 speed for a couple of years and am pleased with it's performance.  I have an opportunity to pick up a tiller fom my D200 with 3 pt.

Would I be impressed with the tiller on the D?  For those of you who have ran both tillers, what are your opinions? 

Thanks for the input.  I want to justify spending the extra money and room for the larger tiller.

[chrisd200(inactive) 56]

The D tiller does do a better job. It is heavier and has more aggressive tines. However, the hydro on my D does not maintain a consistent slow ground speed like the 8 speed does. Soooooo  Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

[brandonozz 168]

Chris, are you saying the tiller will work so well my D will turn into a paddle boat??

Seriously, the pump and motor seem to have pretty good control but I'm not sure about being pushed. I drove it over an incline at about 3 mph and the tractor maintained speed fairly consistently.  I'm going to get it on an incline and slowly go over the edge to see if it will hold back the weight of the tractor.  I figured that would simulate being pushed by the tiller.  Would you think there is any additional wear on the hydro system being pushed?  Didn't know how the opposing forces would work the hydro system as your not supposed to tow a D without the tow valve open.

I used a pull behind self propelled tiller on a ATV and the only pulling you did was when in the transport mode.  The rest of the time you would be on the brakes and lets just say my pads are gone now!  I've been pushed around before and without good brakes it's not much fun.

[chrisd200(inactive) 56]

Its not often, but there have been a few times when the big tiller has pushed the D. But in all fairness the ground was really hard and I do not have the tires weighted. My problem has always been that my hydro system does not maintain a good consistent speed at very low speeds. So sometimes tilling has been frustrating because I can not keep the tiller moving at a consistent ground speed. So I feel like the 8 speed would offer an advantage in this situation. But no big deal really, it still does a great job and I really like the advantage that the size and weight of the D series tractor/tiller gives you. Not sure how being "Pushed" will effect the hydro system so I cant answer that, but it hasn't caused me or the previous owner any problems after 30 + years of use.

[brandonozz 168]

Thanks for the insight Chris.  I guess I might make an offer on the tiller - the only problem is the size.  I'm sure I can find a place to store it but how to hide it from the wife.... thats another story!

[chrisd200(inactive) 56]

Yep, thats always my problem too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! Good luck with your purchase.

[JamesBe1 84]

Yeah, the D-series tillers are pretty large.  I strapped mine to a moving dolly, and have it under a workbench.  They are not light either.

 

I picked mine up a couple of years ago and took my time restoring it.  I had to replace the seals and repaint it.  I haven't installed the new tines yet.  I'm not in a hurry.  My garden is small enough that I can handle it with a troy-built.  I expect that after I put the tines on, it's going to be even more enwieldy.  Wrestling them around and on to the tractor can be a pain.  I'd really hate to have one of them fall on me.

 

I'm sure the weight of the D series will help it from being pushed.

 

One thing to consider about the performance difference is the tilling depth.  Not sure if there is any difference between the two types of tillers.

[brandonozz 168]

Thanks Chris, 

The guy with the tiller is the one I bought my D200 parts tractor from.  I had to get the other 200 going before I would consider buying the tiller and now it seems like the thing to do. 

 

James,

Are replacement tines easy to come by if I need them?  I honestly didn't look the tiller over too much when I picked up the tractor and would like to know availibility.

I think I remember that most of the gear box is on the top of the tiller on the D.  I would think that the D would go deeper as the limiting factor for me with the C tiller is the gear box dragging the ground.  I would love to see a D tiller in action and have looked on you tube with no luck. 

Plenty of vids of C's working but I havent found a D...............Hint,Hint......

[chrisd200(inactive) 56]

Next time i use the big tiller I'll make a vid! I used to know a part # for some replacement tines but i cant find it now. I'll research it again cause im gonna need some before too much longer.

[JamesBe1 84]

Thanks Chris, 

The guy with the tiller is the one I bought my D200 parts tractor from.  I had to get the other 200 going before I would consider buying the tiller and now it seems like the thing to do. 

 

James,

Are replacement tines easy to come by if I need them?  I honestly didn't look the tiller over too much when I picked up the tractor and would like to know availibility.

I think I remember that most of the gear box is on the top of the tiller on the D.  I would think that the D would go deeper as the limiting factor for me with the C tiller is the gear box dragging the ground.  I would love to see a D tiller in action and have looked on you tube with no luck. 

Plenty of vids of C's working but I havent found a D...............Hint,Hint......

 

The only place that I know of to get tines is: http://www.cleancutter.com/default.htm  They had ones for my D-Series tiller.  I bought a complete set.  They don't have a big selection for wheel horse (I think just two types).  Makes me wonder how much longer they will offer them.

 

The limiting factor on all tillers is the gearbox.  The distance from the bottom of the gearbox to the bottom of the tines is as deep as anyone can go without dragging the gearbox through the dirt.  All of them are pretty much the same.

 

I think there may be a video or two on youtube of a d-series in action.

[bitten 134]

I have not used my 36" tiller since I got the D series. For the most part smoother to operate, covers more ground and for me just nicer job.

[brandonozz 168]

Looking forward to the video Chris.

 

James, It's hard to tell which tines are for which tiller as the measurements are only listed on one of the two tines.  I will look/take measurements at my C tiller when I get home - traveling for work right now.  Thanks for the lead!  I may want to get some spare tines for my C as well if there going to be hard to find in the future.

 

Thanks for the comments guys .......................... I think.....................You know you guys just got me in trouble with the wife when I get home!

[chrisd200(inactive) 56]

HAHAHAHA

[JamesBe1 84]

BTW, I checked the tine site, and there were indeed only two types of wheel horse tines.  But they were both for the same tiller type.  One part number was for left hand and the other for the right. 

 

I hope the wheel horse tines were pretty standardized across their line.

 

I wonder how difficult it would be to adapt different tines?  As long as they don't strike the tiller frame, and they can be made to bolt up (may have to drill some holes), then it sounds pretty doable.

[jdog_kustoms 82]

i sold my 36 inch tiller for the smaller tractors after i use the d series 50 inch on my 195