New Englanders: We have soil with rocks, which I keep finding! How will this tiller do in this soil?
1594766
About as well as can be expected from a tiller. I have a lot of rocks varying from gravel to boulders, and the ground seems to be growing more. I also have the occasional brick and miscellaneous discarded piece of iron. As I am tilling, I keep a shovel, pick, and pry bar handy and pull out anything the tiller bounces off of. Bricks, half bricks, and rocks of about the same size can be picked up and wedged in the tines, and I have had to replace the shear pins on both sides, but I don't see any way another tiller would do any better. Tilling in stoney New England soil is going to be work regardless of which machine you use, but I like this one better than others I have tried. About as well as can be expected from a tiller. I have a lot of rocks varying from gravel to boulders, and the ground seems to be growing more. I also have the occasional brick and miscellaneous discarded piece of iron. As I am tilling, I keep a shovel, pick, and pry bar handy and pull out anything the tiller bounces off of. Bricks, half bricks, and rocks of about the same size can be picked up and wedged in the tines, and I have had to replace the shear pins on both sides, but I don't see any way another tiller would do any better. Tilling in stoney New England soil is going to be work... » Read More About as well as can be expected from a tiller. I have a lot of rocks varying from gravel to boulders, and the ground seems to be growing more. I also have the occasional brick and miscellaneous discarded piece of iron. As I am tilling, I keep a shovel, pick, and pry bar handy and pull out anything the tiller bounces off of. Bricks, half bricks, and rocks of about the same size can be picked up and wedged in the tines, and I have had to replace the shear pins on both sides, but I don't see any way another tiller would do any better. Tilling in stoney New England soil is going to be work regardless of which machine you use, but I like this one better than others I have tried. « Show Less
1594767
About as well as can be expected from a tiller. I have a lot of rocks varying from gravel to boulders, and the ground seems to be growing more. I also have the occasional brick and miscellaneous discarded piece of iron. As I am tilling, I keep a shovel, pick, and pry bar handy and pull out anything the tiller bounces off of. Bricks, half bricks, and rocks of about the same size can be picked up and wedged in the tines, and I have had to replace the shear pins on both sides, but I don't see any way another tiller would do any better. Tilling in stoney New England soil is going to be work regardless of which machine you use, but I like this one better than others I have tried.
1594768
It works very well with small rocks (2-3inched) and root filled soil. I use branch cutters to cut large roots that the tiller digs up.
1594769
I live in a very rocky / clay soil area, a dam broke and washed away the soil a long time ago. So, if you have a lot of rocks and a clay soil - you will be going through a lot of shear pins!!! They are pretty cheap so... The tiller itself has been a champ.
1594770
There were loose rocks in my soil but they were less than 2" in diameter. The tiller works fine with those loose rocks. Remember, the rocks in my soil were loose, not compacted or tightly bunch together.
915074
The weight of the rollers rests on the ground. The motor of the tiller works much harder to break up soil then to run the rollers. No problems.
1347274
I don't know. But I will tell you this. I've had mine for 2 years, and I've not been disappointed. I recently re tilled a 20x50 garden spot with mine because a 4 tine tiller I borrowed would not get down in the dirt. This little thing has the power to dig and go. You will not be disappointed.
1430239
I recommend renting the rocks for hydroponic use. any other use should include the grit for mineral purposes
1920635
I purchased this last year it is heavy especially after adding the 3 point hitch and I have had to modify my mower that I use with it. It does a good job of raking but understand the small stones will still be around. I have used it as a rake for rocks and debris and also to rake dirt for leveling. To rake rocks it works okay just have to go over the area repeatedly and you may turn up more rocks. Will it rake 1-1/2" yes but it will leave some. If you are trying to make a seed bed you will still have work. I used mine since we turned up lots of rocks building a house and it works but requires lots of practice to use. I purchased this last year it is heavy especially after adding the 3 point hitch and I have had to modify my mower that I use with it. It does a good job of raking but understand the small stones will still be around. I have used it as a rake for rocks and debris and also to rake dirt for leveling. To rake rocks it works okay just have to go over the area repeatedly and you may turn up more rocks. Will it rake 1-1/2" yes but it will leave some. If you are trying to make a seed bed you will still have work. I used mine since we turned up lots of rocks building a house and it works but... » Read More I purchased this last year it is heavy especially after adding the 3 point hitch and I have had to modify my mower that I use with it. It does a good job of raking but understand the small stones will still be around. I have used it as a rake for rocks and debris and also to rake dirt for leveling. To rake rocks it works okay just have to go over the area repeatedly and you may turn up more rocks. Will it rake 1-1/2" yes but it will leave some. If you are trying to make a seed bed you will still have work. I used mine since we turned up lots of rocks building a house and it works but requires lots of practice to use. « Show Less
1056691
This product is designed to be used on pre-prepared soil, like that in a vegetable or flower garden. It is fabulous for that; I just love mine! However, if you are trying to 'break' new ground or ground that has not been previously prepared, buy an engine driven tiller. Always buy the tool that fits the job!
1930093
Its according to what you need. I love it for stirring in my new fertile mixes in the garden I've had for years, but I also used it to start a garden for my daughter and her ground was very hard and rocky. It took some time, but it worked out the rocks, big and small, by pushing them up and out of the way for removal. The only problem I had was with vines and grass that got tangled in the tines and had to be removed occasionally. It also makes great holes for planting trees, I just walked in a circle, it softened the ground perfectly. Its light as a feather, so be patient in hard to till places. Its according to what you need. I love it for stirring in my new fertile mixes in the garden I've had for years, but I also used it to start a garden for my daughter and her ground was very hard and rocky. It took some time, but it worked out the rocks, big and small, by pushing them up and out of the way for removal. The only problem I had was with vines and grass that got tangled in the tines and had to be removed occasionally. It also makes great holes for planting trees, I just walked in a circle, it softened the ground perfectly. Its light as a feather, so be patient in hard to till... » Read More Its according to what you need. I love it for stirring in my new fertile mixes in the garden I've had for years, but I also used it to start a garden for my daughter and her ground was very hard and rocky. It took some time, but it worked out the rocks, big and small, by pushing them up and out of the way for removal. The only problem I had was with vines and grass that got tangled in the tines and had to be removed occasionally. It also makes great holes for planting trees, I just walked in a circle, it softened the ground perfectly. Its light as a feather, so be patient in hard to till places. « Show Less
2045545
Tiny pebbles and DRY leaves suck-up the best....but I wouldn't try to use this instead of a rake!!! A blower to blow those things away or into a heap to shovel or scoop up is what I do.
1877320
I just use the tiller to turn existing garden in the spring and fall. Not sure it would break up established sod.
2234107
I have run mine over such areas, and I have found that it will not grind up the weeds so much as pull them out. I am fine with this as I just gab the wad of weeds and toss it. I you want it to mush and grind them into the soil, I don't think you will be happy with this tiller.
643787
It will happen for every one. I'ts a dirt came from the stone. Usually we have to grind first for small amount of batter for discarding. So you don't worry to waste all the batter with black scrapes instead of grinding more.
1285316
I'm using mine in very sandy soil; and it has a tendency to dig in to axle depth, no matter what setting, if I don't take care. That said, on the shallowest setting I can, with caution, hold it to about an inch...
1149500
Dirt, sod and rocks should not be aproblem for the surface. However, you could gouge the surface if you slide heavy sharp objects that weigh several hundred pounds on it.
1056687
I am not sure how it would work- my soil is sandy clay. However, I think if you didn't press down too hard, it would work the smaller rocks to the surface. It's not intended to work like a "big" tiller, if my ground is totally hard it just skitters around on top of it.
1746408
For me, it picks up very fine dirt, leaves, those darn spinner seeds but it won't pick up any pebbles. If they are very tiny it gets a few but not anything even close to the size of a pea. But those don't bother me as long as all the dirt around them goes away.
1886450
I live in AZ also and my grass is also surrounded by small rocks. My dogs sometimes kick rocks in the grass and I try to remove them before I mow. But the mower is pretty sturdy and mine hasn't been hurt by the small rock. This mower is perfect for a small yard, I love it.
1328530
I'm adding some new soil and will mix it with what I used last year. When I plant, I add a little Miracle gro fertilizer to pump up the soil as well. I hope we don't have as much rain as we did last year!