25 replies to this topic

[AA Hayes]

So, I have located a tiller for my ht20, though I was looking to get one for my 1050 and g12, but they are a hard thing to locate where I live.
I am looking for opinions on tilling with the hydro trans vs. the gear drive. I have about a 1/4 acre garden.

[olcowhand]

I prefer hydro for most everything, but especially with a front end loader & tiller.  With the infinite speeds, you can go slow as you want.

[EricFromPa]

Ya tilling is Alot easier with a Hydro.I was constantly being pushed around by the tiller on my 1050 and G11/1254 even though I had wheel weights and tire chains on both and both were in Lo range.I have a fence around my garden so Alot of shifting between reverse and forward to.

 

And the Hydro lift on a Large frame will save your arm from wearing out.Tube frame tillers get a bit on the heavy side when you are tilling a big garden and having to lift it every pass you make.

[propane1]

I find my MF12 gear drive works much better than my Ford lgt 165 hydro for tilling.  The ford bounces you head. Always playing with the foot pedal hydro to keep it steady, the MF12 gear is as smooth as can be. Set it and forget it.  Just my opinion, Noel

[Talntedmrgreen]

I'm going to make the current vote and even split... And agree wholeheartedly with the use of gear drive for tilling. I love and I mean love a hydro for almost all things but when it comes to ground engagement holding a steady speed is far easier with a gear drive.I have tried several different models of hydros and always prefer to go back to a gear drive with a creeper gear.

I'm also spoiled with hydraulic lift but quite honestly, for the limited amount of tilling you have, it's not too much up and down for the Armstrong. if you were pushing or blowing snow I would vote hydraulic lift every day of the week. lots of up down up down up down... Up down up down with those.

[AA Hayes]

I do have the hydro lift on my 1050, so I am not concered about the lifting the tiller, I was concerned about the weight of the tractor and being pushed around, I have chains and weights for my 1050 and my ht20. Our soil is very heavy rich soil, so I think the weight and power of the ht20 will be a bonus.

[AA Hayes]

I think i will get the tiller for the ht but keep looking for one for my 1050 as well. I have blowers blade and decks for all my tractors, might as well have a tiller for each one as well

[DH1]

Gear drive for Tiller is better IMO

Hydro from my experience's doesn't hold a slow steady speed as good as a Gear drive does when using a Tiller

[Cat385B]

I prefer gear over hydro. These are the units I've had tillers on:

 

1. JD 212 (geared)

2. Homelite T15 (hydro)

3. Bolens G152 (geared)

 

The tiller would push the Homelite, the JD would only move if tilling hardpack or sod, the Bolens ain't gettin' pushed around by anything.

 

No pic of the JD? WTH?

 

 

[wilberj]

I think i will get the tiller for the ht but keep looking for one for my 1050 as well. I have blowers blade and decks for all my tractors, might as well have a tiller for each one as well

 

 

 

I run a 48 tiller on a 1476 I would pick the HT over a tube frame but I would say plow first if you can... 

 

 

http://gardentractor...ing#entry461976

Edited by wilberj, April 13, 2015 - 05:13 PM.

[Cat385B]

 I have blowers blade and decks for all my tractors, might as well have a tiller for each one as well

 

Sure, keep grabbing stuff, and stuff it in a shed. Even if it might never see the light of day ever again. Works for Jerome!   

[wilberj]

Sure, keep grabbing stuff, and stuff it in a shed. Even if it might never see the light of day ever again. Works for Jerome!   

 

 

You will be eating those words soon!

[LPBolens]

Works for me, too!

[blackjackjakexxix]

I always liked the gear drive tube frame when tilling,first gear low range is a perfect match,I always found myself back pedaling with the hydro tractors,was always being pushed,now I have never tilled with the Ht's with the hi-local trans,so that may make a difference IMO

[AA Hayes]

All my attachments and tractors get use. I am going to part with the 1050 deck as it is not needed.
I don't have a plow, wish I did but I don't see it being in the budget this year.
To bad the ht20 doesn't have the hi/lo trans. I expect it to push me when tilling sod but not the already tilled part, hopefully.