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Old Ford Rototiller

16 years ago

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!

Experts take charge!

I am a 28 year old guy here in Waco Texas. I just recently caught the gardening bug and I need some help. I guess gardening is in my blood.. My granddaddy did it, my daddy did it and now I have constructed a little garden paradise in my own backyard......for veggie and herb growing. The thing is I just recieved a tiller from my father today. It's in poor repair, although the chassis and handlebars I feel will be easily restored. I have worked as a mechanic for quite a few years now but I have always had a resource to look up problems. This tiller is a 1970's model Front Tine, Heavy as the day is long, Ford RT8 model number 9GN1005(I think)..... I know nothing about it other than when I was young I remember my daddy using it and it would dig a hole to China. The engine grenaded when I was young and the tiller just sat in my parents backyard until today when I decided I wanted to restore it. Trouble is I can't find much of anything about it on the Web... I would really like to know who manufactured this tiller for Ford. It kinda looks like a Gilson but I'm not sure. Also is there anywhere that specializes in parts for this old beast. I really love the idea of restoring this tiller. It's grown alot of veggies. I just need to be pointed in the right direction. My daddy or somebody disassembled the tiller probably 20 years ago, and now I am not certain how it goes back together. It has an idler system on the rear of the engine(which is no longer on the tiller) and I know it has a forward and reverse...Other than that I am lost...... If anyone knows anything about these tillers I would be forever in your debt.

Thanks Ya'll

Featured Answer

eneal402000

6 years ago

I have a 1970s Ford RT8 ..8hp,front tines tiller. Running in unbelievably good condition. Will sell ..Will send photos or offer info on belt sizes and other info if requested.

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Comments (9)

sergeant
16 years ago
Its either Gilson or another manufacturer. But if you can post a picture on the forum. Sombody Here may be able to identifi your tiller weather its Gilson or another manufacturer. Jacobson also made machines for Ford as well. For Parts Check with a New Holland Dealer.
rej2
16 years ago
I like your desire to restore and preserve your past. If the need to actually use it comes before you get finished with your restoration, grab yourself about $75 and hit the garage sale circuit. I've seen, bought, and passed up dozens of front tine tillers being sold in running condition at affordable prices. I, like yourself, enjoy gardening and I own four tillers from a small Mantis to a large Troy Bilt Horse. Only one tiller, the mid-tine Honda cost me more than $75. Good luck with your project. REJ2
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Kind of hard to help you if you don't enable the email feature on Garden Web. Bill is right about the belts. The v-belt trade sizes are 3L370 for the reverse belt and 4L350 for the forward belt. The Gilson manual is 12 pages in PDF format.
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suedenathotmail
15 years ago
Try this site for manuals:

http://www.ssbtractor.com/tractor_manual_search.cgi?tractor_manual_make=Ford&tractor_manual_model=tiller
wgwood
8 years ago
I have a probably 1973'ish Model RT5(5 HP B&S) tiller like yours.Model 09GN1023. Have an operator's manual, but doesn't tell me anything about what you want, downsizing, tiller going, haven't started, as you call it "the beast" in several years, also has F & R. I'd like to share it with you, but shipping would be ridiculous. Glenn
farmerdill
8 years ago
A photo would be helpful. Most of the front tine tillers of the 70's era used a worm gear drive. On the Gilson these were a problem. Simplicity Roticul also used this system but it was more durable. Bottom line. If the gear box is tight, then it may worth sticking a new or used engine on it. They used double pulleys and two belts. Forward belt is simply put directly on the inner pulleys directly from engine to drive unit. An idler pulley serves as the clutch. The reverse belt is twisted so that the reverse pulley turns in the opposite direction of the engine. It is controled by an idler pulley attached to the reverse lever. Each works by tightening the respective belt. Pretty simple system you should have no trouble with it. Main point tho is to make sure that the gear box is in good shape.
matbogbry
8 years ago
I have a Ford 09GN1023 model front tine tiller. I would like to repair mine. I need the gear housing and the brass gear that the worm gear meshes with. New parts are not available from New Holland. Anyone have a source for used parts?
rexlex
8 years ago
per farmerdill: "The reverse belt is twisted so that the reverse pulley turns in the
opposite direction of the engine. It is controled by an idler pulley
attached to the reverse lever. Each works by tightening the respective
belt."

Not on the 5 hp simplicity roticul. Reverse is belt driven from pulley off engine camshaft - no twisted belt arrangement, but does take special briggs engine with extended camshaft for that reverse pulley...
Rick Piwowar
8 years ago
I have a Model RT5(5 HP B&S) tiller and would like to know what size belts go on it?

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