How is the John Deere 30' mechanical tiller?

16 years ago

Looking for feed back re: operation of this tiller.

Is this tiller easily used with a tractor with out hydraulics?

I am considering a purchase of either a x520 or x534. Recent feedback is a x534 with wheel spacers may be able to take on this tiller.

Thanks for any responses.

Featured Answer

marineguy

16 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I have a 30" mechanical tiller which I use with my 15hp GT225 and it works great. I bought both the tractor and tiller on eBay in separate auctions, the tractor in like new condition, the tiller in like it sat in the back yard for a decade after heavy use condition. I only paid $60 for the tiller so the fact that it operates at all means it was a great buy. New they cost $1500, but you should have no problem finding one in like new condition on eBay for under $400, should you go the second hand route.
It's a bit heavy, but the flip-down transport wheels make it pretty easy to move around. I store mine standing up in my garage, and just have to roll it under the tractor to hook it up. It's a bit more difficult to install while on soft ground.
All you have to do is slide it under the tractor so that the tiller catches on the pins attached to the rear of the tractor frame, then flip a brace up that holds the tiller angled upwards while you retract the transport wheels, then let it rock downward to seat the tiller frame against the lugs on the bottom of the tractor frame. Attach the belt, the attach the lift linkage, and you're ready to tear up some turf. The whole process, from deck installed to tiller installed takes me about 10-15 minutes. This tiller can be used on a very wide range of JD garden tractors made over the past 15-20 years. You just have to buy a specific linkage kit for your tractor. It cost something like $100 for my 225. All I did to the tiller was clean the rust off the housing with a 4" grinder, spray painted it, and greased it up. It's such a basic implement; if it works at all, it works like new.

I've had absolutely no problem using the manual lift, which I keep on the 42" deck (lowest) tension seting. Of course, I'm 31 years old and my employer tests me on how many pullups I can do twice a year, so others may find it a bit combersome.
I recently renovated 1/2 acre of my neighbor's property in a single afternoon, which included tilling it twice, grading it (with my 42" blade), seeding it and raking it in with a landscape rake (hardest part). It's amazing how much work you can do with a tractor-mounted tiller, and that's with my little 15hp Kohler.
When using it to tear up my neighbor's yard, half of which was previously a failed attempt at a lawn, and half of which was recently cleared brush, I hit a lot of buried roots, so I kept it in the float setting with my hand at the ready on the lift handle. As soon as I felt it bounce off something I just pulled it up, then gently set it back down as I passed the obstacle (it tills as deep as 6" down). I don't think a hydraulic lift would allow the operator that kind of feel or reaction time.
We have mostly sandy soil, so I can't say how it works in clay, but it certainly had no problem tearing up my well-established bermudagrass when I carved out some perennial gardens earlier this year.
This is the first tractor-mounted tiller I've used, so I can't comment on how it compares to other brands, but compared to the walk-behind front-tine tiller I grew up with, you can do three times the amount of work in any given time, while wearing sandels and drinking an iced tea, instead of steel-tipped boots and a camelbak.
-Chris

Here is a link that might be useful: 30

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Comments (10)

lb59
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Never heard of a 30 foot wide Tiller.
lb59
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Looking for feed back re: operation of this tiller.
1*Is this tiller easily used with a tractor without hydraulics?
2*I am considering a purchase of either a x520 or x534. Recent feedback is a x534 with wheel spacers may be able to take on this tiller.
Posted by cjsm upstate NY
"""""""":::::::::'''''''''''''
1*No tiller is easy to manually lift.
2*I would also look at Kubota Lawn and garden models and their BX series.
Simplicity
Toro/Wheel Horse
New Holland
And Cub Cadet.
I would not go for any thing with a manual lift.
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sergeant
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well I used a 30inch tiller on my older JD240 which was a a mechanical lift that was spring assisted which is what the X500 and X520 have the tiller works great. Busting untilled ground you may have to make a extra pass. But I have to do the same thing with my Hyraulic driven tiller on my X485. I have never set the tiller in reverse to back till with it. The hydraulic tiller which you can use with the X540. The tiller only weighs about 190lbs the some of the mowing decks weigh more than that. The hydraulic tiller for the X540 is the only tiller that really needs hydraulic lift 220+lbs. With the spring assit system JD has had on the 200 series tractor thru todays X500 and X520 the tiller can be lifted pretty easily JD has made manual lift tiller since the it introduced a tiller in 1965 for the 110. The snow blower for the X500 series weighs more than the tiller.

As far as the wheel spacers I mentionedin other posts I may be able to get you some diminsions for them later this week. My younger brother work for a JD dealer.
cjsm
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
CORRECTION--

I made a typo.

I am referring to the JD 30" mechanical tiller.
jdfanatic
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
cjsm,

If any of the posters here can't figure out you meant a 30" tiller instead of a 30' one, ignore them.

Cheers

JDFANATIC
cjsm
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
JDFANATIC,

Thanks for your encouragement!
marineguy
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Here is another link which shows parts breakdowns and lists parts to attach to various tractors.
Under the "Equipment Search" tab, type "tiller," scroll down to "2203 30" Mechanical Tiller."
As you can see, the same tiller used on the current X500 series also fits the 240, 245, 265, 285, 320, 325, 345, GT series, GX 325, GX335, GX345, and GX355. I'm not sure about the 4-wheel steer x534. The tiller's frame sticks out as far as 2.5" from the tractor's frame on the right side, even with the tire, and 1.5" on the left side. I don't think the spacers would provide adequate clearance. Is there any way to disable the rear steering for tilling? That might work.

Here is a link that might be useful: tiller illustration
lb59
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
1*It's a bit heavy, but the flip-down transport wheels make it pretty easy to move around. I store mine standing up in my garage, and just have to roll it under the tractor to hook it up. It's a bit more difficult to install while on soft ground.
2*I've had absolutely no problem using the manual lift, which I keep on the 42" deck (lowest) tension settling. Of course, I'm 31 years old and my employer tests me on how many pull-ups I can do twice a year, so others may find it a bit cumbersome
by marineguy
`````````````````````````
1*My plan is to avoid all this by leaving it on the tractor after getting the tiller installed.
2*No manual lifts for me. 41 Years of that is more than enough for me.
yetty734
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
hey lb, if we ever by chance meet.....remind me to give u aa big old hug with a bull wip:))

How is the John Deere 30' mechanical tiller?

marineguy

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How is the John Deere 30' mechanical tiller?

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