ASPEN RENT-ALL BLOG

 A rototiller is a must-have item for anyone looking to turn over a large area for spring planting with the minimum amount of effort. The fact is that a rototiller is going to save you a lot of backbreaking work. But which one is going to be right for your job? With so many different models and sizes, the choice can be confusing, but this article should set you in the right direction. Let’s go.

To start with, you need to ask yourself some questions.

How much power do you need?

This is a simple question to answer- the larger the area, the more power you are going to require. Unless you want to spend days going over a large area of land, you should choose a rototiller that equates to the size of your area. The general rule is:

• Below 1500 square meters: A mini tiller
• 1500 to 8000 square meters: A medium tiller
• Up to 10,000 square meters: A large tiller

How hard is the job?

This is a question of horsepower. Large rear tine tillers are capable of ripping through small tree roots, where as the mini tiller will only really handle weeds and turn light soil. The mini tillers use around 1hp, where as the large tiller needs at least 8hp to move  through the ground. So think about the condition of your job, do you need a beast to chew through an abandoned area or do you need something smaller for an annual turnover?

Before you use the rototiller

Before you start any work, clear your area of any exposed debris. The more work you can do prior to starting up the machine, the easier the job is going to be. Think about what is underground as well. A rototiller can damage cables, gas lines, and irrigation pipes. So before you jump in to the job with enthusiasm, take a moment to consider what could be waiting for you just below the topsoil.

While you are pondering this question, it would be a good time to familiarize yourself with the features of the machine, what button does what and most importantly, the safety features. Work smart. The rototiller is there to help with the job, not ruin your summer.

What is the difference between a front tine and rear tine tiller?

Tines are the steel blades that rotate with moxie, breaking up the ground and turning the soil and there is significant difference between a front tine and rear tine tiller.

A front tine tiller has rotating blades at the front of the machine and will generally be part of a mini to medium sized tiller. Therefore, the front tine tiller is best suited to those jobs where the ground is soft and easy to manipulate. A front line tiller is not recommended if you have to break new ground, they can be tricky to control when the work gets rough.

Rear tine tillers on the other hand, have the blades at the rear behind the wheels and are heavy-duty, hungry machines for those larger jobs. To protect the operator from flying debris, these machines have a metal safety shield over the tines.

The tines on a rear tine tiller can counter-rotate (CRT) or standard rotate (SRT). Counter rotation turns the tines in the opposite direction of the drive wheels. The resistance that is implied by the drive wheels helps the tines to break up the toughest of ground.

Standard rotating tines move in the same direction as the drive wheels. Although not as aggressive as the CRT, the weight distribution of the machine means that standard rotating tines will still chew through relatively hard ground.

Many machines come equipped with the option of reversing the tine rotation, to give the operator an adaptable machine that offers the best of both these features.

Trouble shooting the rear tine rototiller

At Aspen Rent-All, we carry the Barreto rear tine rototiller, so that is our real area of expertize. Although this troubleshooting segment applies to the Barreto, with this some smart adaptation you can solve the majority of rototiller problems by reading this section.

As always you should exercise extreme caution when making adjustments or changes to a rototiller and ensure that the engine is off and the tines are not revolving.

 1. The hydraulic system is not operation

• Low hydraulic oil (refill to center)
• The hydraulic pump-to-engine coupler has slipped (assess wear and replace coupler halves and rubber spider if necessary)
• Improperly adjusted or broken clutch cable ( remove slack and adjust for 7/16” to ½” movement at level pin. If broken, replace)

2. Tines rotate but wheels do not turn

• Wheel axle keys are sheared or have been removed (replace keys)
• Wheel relief valve is fault (replace valve)

3. Wheels turn but tines do not rotate

• Tine motor worn (Replace or rebuild motor. Exchange motors are available directly from Barreto)
• Clutch cable needs adjustment (remove slack and adjust for 7/16” to ½” movement at level pin)

4. Oil leak in hydraulic system

• Oil around tine motor shaft (inspect for leaking shaft seal. Rebuild or replace with new motor)
• Fittings are loose (tighten as necessary)
• Broken or worn hoses (replace when needed)

5. Engine dies and neither tines or wheels turn

• Tine shaft obstructed with wines, wire or grass (turn off engine and remove debris)
• Tilling depth too great (turn off engine and decrease tilling depth)
• Low oil alert causing engine to shut down (level tiller and check oil level. Fill as required. This problem can occur if tilling at an angle)
• Engine improperly tuned (see manual and tune as instructed)

Renting a Rear Tine Rototiller in Aspen, Colorado

The Barreto company has been “tearing up the ground since 1983” and if you are looking for a rear tine rototiller that is a guaranteed workhorse, you will be hard pushed to find better than a Barreto. Rent yours today by going to our rototiller rental reservation page.