Comments on: Two Troy-Bilt Tillers

By: Ellis Hollow

Ellis Hollow — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:35:56 +0000

dlyn: Heavy clay soils are more susceptible to the shearing action that could cause poor drainage due to ‘plow-pan’ or ’tiller-pan’. But also keep in mind that with your coarser-textured soil, it’s hard to keep up organic matter levels to maintain soil structure, water retention etc. And every time you till or plow, you incorporate air into your soil and literally burn off organic matter.

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:37:23 +0000

Susan, I chronicled my decision against paid links here, and I haven't changed my mind. But I think my contact form is broken, and that is why Graziella decided to use the comments.

By: susan harris

susan harris — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:15:58 +0000

Great job and ditto the thanks for those photos. And let us know if you accept that offer of paid links. While easy money is tempting, paid links are against Google’s written policies, so there are consequences.

By: dlyn

dlyn — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:39:30 +0000

What’s the prevention for creating that problem? And what soils are most susceptible? We use a regular plow on the veggie garden, following up with the rototiller. We have good drainage, gravel ground. Anything for us to worry about?

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:30:44 +0000

Craig, my husband said essentially the same thing, that after he tilled it a few times, it would be easy enough to do one-handed–but it sure wasn’t the first time! You raise a lot of good cautions concerning tilling. I think Ted B. expressed similar concerns earlier.

By: Ellis Hollow

Ellis Hollow — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:54:44 +0000

Close to 30 years ago, I started a garden in an old hayfield at a camp armed with the biggest Troy-Bilt available. In tight soil and heavy sod, the whole one-hand think is a joke. But the only thing I had to do is change the oil and change the tiller blades after I wore them out. (They rotated in same direction as drive wheels.)

But after a few years of cover crops and compost, it’s amazing how such a heavy piece of equipment can indeed be operated literally single-handedly. If you look closely at those promotional videos (at least the last one I saw a few years ago), what’s going under with ease is a rye cover crop in a plot with good tilth.

I think folks need to be careful with tillers. You’ve got to avoid over tilling and ruining soil structure. You can really beat the heck out of a soil and need to take measures to counteract the negative effects of tilling. Cover crops and adding organic matter are at the top of the list.

Overuse in some soils can also create the equivalent of a ‘plow-pan’ — a smooth compacted area below the tilled area that inhibits drainage.

As far as I know, the Troy-Bilt I used way back when was actually built in Troy. I don’t know if that’s still the case or not.

By: dlyn

dlyn — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:35:48 +0000

Hi Kathy – just wanted to stop in and thank you for your efforts in getting me on your site – it paid off finally and from my point of view at least, is well worth it. In response to this post, I always wondered if Troy-Bilts would stand up to our conditions. Not clay but rocks in abundance and no amount of picking gets rid of them. My husband is our veggie gardener too and he uses a pull behind tiller on our ancient Club Cadet lawn tractor – and then finishes the job by hand with a garden fork as he plants.

By: Kathy Purdy

Kathy Purdy — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:48:29 +0000

I’m glad you all enjoyed the review and the view. I think the camera compresses the distance and makes the far hill seem closer. But, yes, we love our valley even if it ensures we get all the late spring and early autumn frosts!

By: Gail

Gail — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:37:54 +0000

Good review, fair and real! Kathy your land is wonderful. The view in the Now We’re in Business photo is spectacular.

Thanks,
Gail

By: Catherine, MyGardenTravels

Catherine, MyGardenTravels — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:32:27 +0000

I’m not strong enough for the big tillers, but the little Mantis has been working great for me for the past 20 years. When I need a big job done, I call a local man who comes in with his big Troy Bilt tiller. You have such a pretty landscape for a garden.