The Gardener series works very well as a tiller but falls short with the front mount attachments due to gearing.Third gear only works in forward with rear attachments for safety reasons. When the handles are swung around, forward becomes reverse so third gear is locked out, it would now only work in reverse. This leaves two speeds, slow and slower, not the best for snow blowing or mowing.The 800 series Harvester works well but as you say, it is pretty pricey for the home owner. There is a 9hp 620 which for some reason is not advertised that works great with front attachments but it will not accept the tiller, the handles are fixed. Life is full of compromises.

Either tiller is going to have problems with "hard sun-baked soil". You will have to make several passes, starting with a very shallow one if you don't want the tiller to beat you and itself to death. I would go with the unit that has multiple speeds. especially if the lowest gear in that transmission is lower than the single speed of the more powerful tiller.

Hey, That is a nice looking machine with an excellent engine on it. I've now owned three BCS's with the Kohler M8 - 2 715s and my current 730. The 725 is essentially a 715 with a hi/lo transmission. Every one of them has been very reliable - start easily even in temps below freezing, lotsa power, quiet running. I respectfully disagree with what Canguy said about the snow blower. I have a 28 inch and think it's an awesome machine. It's a good match to my 730 with the kohler engine. Other then Canguy, I've never heard anyone badmouth the blower. I also disagree with his observation on speeds. In front attachment mode, this machine will go .8mph and 2.4 mph. The slow speed is well suited to heavy snow and the faster speed is good for fast work of lighter snows. Maybe Canguy was talking about the 715. It has only one speed in reverse - 1.4 mph. I mowed my lawn with my 715. It's the reason I bought an 850. In tiller mode, it will go .6, 1.4, 1.9, 4.1, and 7.5 mph. While it's not a 735, 737, 830, or 850, it will do a lot of work. Keep in mind that this is not as maneuverable as the bigger machines I just mentioned. It has a solid axle while they have a locking differential and turning brakes. On dry pavement, it will be a bear to turn. It will also be a little troublesome to move around when not running. Assuming it's in good working order and the tines aren't worn to a point, it's a steal at $500, a good buy at $700, and a fair buy at $1100. Here is a link that might be useful: Youtube video of BCS snowblower in action

I've got some Acme pieces from a parted out engine, including the fuel tank. Send me an email thru Garden Web if you're interested.