Web Application By

Secondary Tillage - The Rototiller does the best job of finishing soil that has been loosened with the chisel plow or spading machine first, because it can level the top soil while incorporating green matter for decay.  It can work one bed at a time and the tilth can be controlled by adjusting the rotor speed of the tiller.  It also does the best job of preparing the soil for laying plastic mulch.  Rototillers do not cause soil compaction when used properly.

 After deep primary tillage for the initial soil loosening, the tiller is set at the slowest rotation speed for incorporation, leveling and clod busting.  This allows the tiller to paddle through the soil slowly, to properly incorporate the sod or cover crop present, without over working the soil.  A four speed gearbox is needed for this.  Sod should be tilled one year ahead of cropping, and tall cover crops tilled one month before cropping.  One of the biggest mistakes new growers make is not tilling early enough, especially in sod fields.  For deep tillage, the tractor speed is 1-2 m.p.h. and the depth set at 6 inches.  The green matter must then be given time to decay.  This can range anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on the cover crop height, so it is important to know your planting dates so tillage can be done timely.  If tillage is not done early enough, grasses can regrow and persist as a weed problem that can not be cultivated out.  On the day of planting the rotavator is set to till 2" deep.  A Cage Roller is needed for this.  The tractor speed is increased to 3 - 4 m.p.h. and the tiller set to a faster rotor speed.  This scarf pass is made to finish off the seed bed and to till out any weeds that have germinated, to give your crop a head start.  In Stock - On VHS Video !

Selection:  Tillers are selected by their horsepower rating and by the tillage width desired.

It is very important to select a tiller that is rated to match your tractor horsepower or you will damage the rototiller by running too much power through it.  It is best to select a tiller that is as wide as your tractor if you have enough horsepower to run it, otherwise get one that is as wide as your tractor tire centers.  Offsetting a tiller or tilling to the insides of the rear tires is not recommended.  We recommend 3/4 hp per inch of tillage width as a minimum horsepower requirement.  We handle several brands of rototillers.  Maschio is our favorite.

Options: It is important to get a tiller with the 4 Speed Gearbox and use it, so you can adjust the tine speed correctly for tilling deep or shallow.  It is also best to get the Rear Cage Roller that gives precision depth control for shallow scarf tilling.  The hand crank that controls the height of the cage roller makes changing depth adjustments very easy.