ID'ing A Little Rototiller?!

Bryce Frazier · Sep 7, 2016

Found this in a buddys, buddys, barn the other day. Cute little thing! It is has a Briggs 4 cycle, 1 cylinder, 4 horse.

On the handle of the tiller, there is a gold colored decal, and all I can really make on it is: _ e r r y t _ l l e r

Clearly, the 2nd word is Tiller, but what is the first? Dad thinks it is an M, Merry. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

Haven't gotten any pictures of it yet, but will soon. Has really big, wheels, with welded on horse shoe shaped spades. Belt drive, with a little hand clutch (cable). Seems to be all there. Good spark, good compression, no fuel . . .

T.R.K. · Sep 7, 2016

Merry Tiller, perhaps. The one my grandfather bought in the '50s is still here and still doing its job. Then are still made by Makisic as far as I know.

rossow (mn) · Sep 7, 2016

I have a front-tine tiller named "Merry Tiller." It has a small B&S engine, a hand clutch and belt drive. I'd guess it's from the 1950s, because it's pretty basic and lacking all the shields and other add-ons of later-model tillers. It has a little pin with a coil spring on it on the right handlebar that can be depressed to keep the clutch lever engaged. It is red and white. An older guy at my daughter's church gave it to her a few years ago, and she passed it along to me. It starts every time and runs like a champ.

Dalex · Sep 7, 2016

Yup , Merry tiller it is . I worked in a Rental yard for 20 years , they were our economy tiller , but sure were hard on your back ! Any info on google ?

Moonlite37 · Sep 7, 2016

I have 3 Merry Tillers. The oldest one was one I bought for my dad in 1959. It had a Clinton engine and when my dad died I took over the farm and when my mom remarried I gave it to my step-dad, Later I married and bought a later model. After a couple years my wife moved on to better company for both of us. My stepdad told me he had worn it out and was going to give it back to me. I told him I would give him the new one and no more than I did garden work the worn out engine was something I could handle. I bought a new engine from Surplus Center. Stepdad died and mom gave it back to me. Then a fellow was moving away and gave me another one. They have an enclosed chain drive and gave no trouble. I keep them inside and they work perfectly.

John B. · Sep 8, 2016

I did a quick google search and found this. Will look farther for more.
New Merry Tillers

John B. · Sep 8, 2016

Here's some better pictures of the early models.
Merry Tiller Pics

Richard G. · Sep 8, 2016

Bryce, my Dad had a Merry Tiller in the mid 50's and sold it to an older fellow in the community. That thing ran for at least another 25 years.
Richard

rrlund · Sep 8, 2016

Sounds like a Little Hoe'er.

Mike M · Sep 8, 2016

Merry Tiller. I think we had one when I was a kid ? AKA mankiller !

ID'ing A Little Rototiller?!

Bryce Frazier

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T.R.K.

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rossow (mn)

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Dalex

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Moonlite37

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John B.

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John B.

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Richard G.

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rrlund

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Mike M

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