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  • From: KAKerby AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Tractor Tillers
  • Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:30:36 -0400 (EDT)

I'm just now getting to this email thread, but I'll toss my vote into the same ring, in favor of repairing the well-proven equipment versus buying some new unproven machinery, at 4x the cost, with very possibly 1/4 the lifespan.  I also would encourage you to find some shadetree mechanics rather than go through a dealer.  When our BCS was down and out, we tried taking it to a well respected small engine repair service here in the area.  I was trying to describe the symptoms to them and they'd never heard of a BCS, and asked me if it was some cheap import from Harbor Freight which may simply have worn out.  And they want $100/hr to work on my machine with that attitude?  I don't THINK so!  We eventually found the manuals online (eBay is great for such things), found some older "mentor" mechanics at the feed store of all places, and we're slowly but surely rebuilding it this year, doing most of the work ourselves learning as we go.  When we run into something we don't understand, we consult with the "experts" we've found at the feed store, and press on.  I'd repeat that in a heartbeat over taking it to the high-dollar engine repair place, or buying some mostly plastic replacement.

One thought - would it be possible for you to lease a tiller just while you get you rmain machine up and running?  That might be the best of both worlds - give you a tool for right now to keep your production going, without paying through the nose for some replacement which won't have the rugged durability you want.  That might be a decent option to explore.
Kathryn Kerby
frogchorusfarm.com
Snohomish, WA
Ruminations - essays on the farming life at frogchorusfarm.com/weblog.html
 
In a message dated 6/24/2012 2:10:07 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, ramoyer AT gmail.com writes:
Allan,
I'm with Mike on this.  It's worth fixing, in part for partnering with folks in your area whose practical education has certain benefits over book learning.
Our shaft bearings went out last year on our Italian, chain-drive tiller.
I was reluctant to get into it, but am blessed with neighbors who've grown up taking things apart and usually getting them back together.
Here in coal country, you and I are blessed with a sizable group of disabled coal miners.  Also with coal miners who work shifts with many days on followed by several days off.  So I'd bet you can find some folks who enjoy the adventure of fixing equipment, and have the time and tools.  Rotating shafts, bearings and seals are not unique to ag equipment, so you need not depend on farm equipment specialists during hay season.  Unless you've broken teeth off your gears, or ruined the chain, $600 sounds way out of line.

A local auto parts dealer found the bearing race we needed.  With the numbers on your parts (rub off the grime, then magnifying glass may be needed), they can search for the parts and get them in quick.

The machinist who pressed off the old bearing race and put on the new one, he only asked for a bushel of beans.  We gave other farm products to the neighbor who helped us take it all apart, and taught us how to put it all back together.  He got a big smile when we were intimidated with taking a mere tiller apart!

It's a good time to replace the gear oil in your tiller gear box, if you've not done so recently, or ever.  Ask whoever helps you if anything else on it needs attention to keep it going.  I'm clueless on such details and folks in our area usually won't point out the obvious (including my ignorance) unless asked.

Thankful for recent rains, though our spring is still low.
Richard Moyer
SW VA


  1. Tractor Tillers (Allan Balliett)
    

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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2012 06:59:04 -0400
From: Allan Balliett <allan.balliett AT gmail.com>
Subject: [Market-farming] Tractor Tillers
To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Message-ID:
       <CAEmEFWEzAp6_jf_vbox-h-QfcYJjHneBYzhC=JNC8TM2CkCOOw AT mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Does anyone have experience with "Value Leader" farm equipment? Their
tiller is made in China, but they claim to have thousands of them sold
in the US and to keep a good parts inventory.
http://www.value-leader.com/categories/Tiller/

Tillers are really expensive nowadays. These sure look good on youtube! ;-)

Oh, and they have 'free shipping' (and no sales tax!)

On the other hand, the reason I need a new tiller is that my old
friend the Solvema, which must be 30 years old, lost the drive rotor
bearing yesterday. Solvema told me that it was going to be expensive
to buy the parts to repair it and I should consider if the repaired
tiller w.b. worth the $$s. He didn't give me  a price but implied it
w.b. around $600 for bearing(s), seals, chain cover, etc

The question: have you ever replaced a rotor bearing on a heavy duty
tiller? It means almost total disassembly and a trip to the machine
shop for pressing the bearings out of the housing(s) Not something I
want to tackle in June but I'm wondering if Im being too easy on
myself? On the other hand, this machine has seen a lot of clod
miles....

Thanks

-Allan in WV


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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2012 06:36:36 -0500
From: Mike Brabo <mdbrabo AT att.net>
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Tractor Tillers
To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID: <0EB79C66-AB70-4A35-AD39-B7F4EACAB250 AT att.net href="mailto:0EB79C66-AB70-4A35-AD39-B7F4EACAB250 AT att.net">0EB79C66-AB70-4A35-AD39-B7F4EACAB250 AT att.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The equipment and steel coming from overseas isn't the same as what's in the old equipment.  I'd repair your old one.
Regards,
Mike
Vesterbrook Farm - Certified Naturally Grown
Clarksville, Missouri - Mississippi River Bluffs, Zone 5b-6a




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