Anyone Interested in purchasing a Tiller With me

[KatherineA]

I am looking at this one:

Anyone want to buy half - where it is kept - your house or mine is negotiable.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200314662_200314662?cm_mmc=Housefile-_-RECD-_-707-_-CONF

[LazerFlash]

I have used several different front-tine tillers, including a really expensive ($400), highly rated one by Troy-Bilt. I currently own one that my wife & I bought about 5 years ago from Lowe's for about $100. Although it's a good tiller, I would not buy another one (front-tine). Rear-tine tillers are much better in areas where there's a lot of rock and/or a lot of compacted clay - like here. ;)

Others may (and probably will) disagree. This is just my two cents worth...

[derricksonb]

I actually agree with LF on the rear tine vs front tine tillers for this area. My grandfather bought me a front tine tiller last year and it about bounced me to death when tilling the garden for the first time. Also It's a 9.5HP 24" tiller where the one you're looking at is a 43cc (weed whacker motor) 10" cultivator.

[KatherineA]

I used a friend's front whatever tiller last year and it was OK. My ground is not that hard nor is it rocky - I live in J.B.FARM - it is named that for a reason.

That said, I am not wedded to the the tiller linked. I just WANT one. NEED one. I can't deal without having one any longer.

Anyone have ideas about a "good" one in the 200 - $400 range - keep talkin. I really don't care if it rear or front whatever.

I want one I can handle on my own w/o a "man".

[KatherineA]

this is the one that I borrowed and it worked great. In fact I was shocked at how deep it could till.

http://mantis.com/2cycletiller.asp

[BigTom]

I'm considering buying a new Troy-bilt tiller and maybe doing some tilling for others on an hourly basis. I haven't really decided yet I'm not sure if it would be worth the investment or not. I do ok with my $35.00 pos front tine auction special tiller but the soil in my garden tills pretty easy. If you're going to spend the money for a new one I'd get a rear tine and get one as good as you can afford.

[KatherineA]

See, I don't want to hire someone - I want to have a tiller so I can go out and till up where the beans were when I want to or till up other small areas of the garden for crop #2 Whenever I Want to.

I don't want to have to drive to Ranson and rent one, or call someone 3 - 6 times a year when I would like to do this stuff. I've kept track this year of all the times I WANT a tiller in my grubby hands - but have not had one because - I didn't want to spend the time or the $ to go to Ranson and rent or call someone - who couldn't come RIGHT THEN and do it for me. I have lost 2nd crop opportunities just because of that and the fact that I didn't have the time or the muscle or the wherewithall to dig the area by hand.

Now, BigTom if you're sayin you'll be at my place w/in 10 minutes whenever I want something tilled - I'll pay the $35 bucks each time. ;) And you just go buy that brand new giant tiller.

[LazerFlash]

Okay, here's the rub: If you're only EVER going to use it in areas that have already been previously tilled, then just about any tiller will probably do it for you. OTOH, if you think that you might end up using it on 'virgin' ground, where the soil composition could be an issue, OR you plan on sharing it with someone(s) where their soil is questionable, then I agree with BT's suggestion: "{G}et a rear tine and get one as good as you can afford."

My philosophy on buying tools has always been three-fold: (1) The right tool for the right job; (2) When buying tools, always get the best one you can afford; and (3) With tools, you pretty much always get what you pay for.

[KatherineA]

I don't want a big tiller for Virgin soil - I have plowed up all that I have the time and/or energy to maintain and plant.

I want a tiller to till dirt - that has no rocks that has 3 years of Tom's poop and mulch, and my mulch. No need for a reartine tiller.

No matter HOW macho it might look.