plowing vs tiller

I have a neighbor who says it is is more economical to run a rototiller for preping a seedbed, than plowing and disking. What do you guys think?

I think he is right , but it also depends on how big of an area you want to do too.
I finally got to run a 3pt. tiller on a compact tractor 52" wide one pass if you wanted to. That's the way to till gardens and even a big job would be short work compared to a 1 or 2 bottom plow,then disk,then spring tooth.

That's what I'd think too.

Then there is the expense of buying the equipment. More likely than not you'll own a tiller no matter what - you don't need to buy a plow, a disk and a harrow if you already own the tiller.

I can't imagine a tiller uses less fuel than the plow disc harrow. Sure takes less time but less fuel... don't think so.

One reason that neither is best is the havoc that they both play on the angleworm population which is a requirement for healthy crops of any kind because of their castings and the drainage advantages. Once a year at most. That will let them re-populate. Constant tilling will create "dead" ground. They are not there just to dig up for fish bait.

Scotty,

I've owned a tiller for 25 +years. Like everything else, they have their pluses and minuses.

If you going to break ground...forget a tiller. Hard or sod ground will beat you and the tiller to death.

If working up previously worked ground, a tiller is great. HOWEVER, a tiller will break the soil so fine, that if you have a high clay content, after a hard rain, the soil runs together like concrete.

When you make a seedbed with a tiller, the soil looks wonderful....but that isn't always the best. It also chops up every earth worm...which may or may not mean anything to you, but they are natures soil builders. For incorporating compost...leaves grass clippings, etc., a tiller is super.

If are blessed with loamy soil...a tiller by itself might be the way to go. But again, only after the earth is broken.

To me, a tiller is a valuable extra implement to have, but I would never be without a plow and disc harrow.

Back when we gardened we would plow and disk, I have the equipment to do either, it is much more fun to have an excuss to break out the big guns than fight a tiller tooth and nail to run, and then bump along. We even planted in rows so we could hit it with the front mount cultivator.

For small areas we have a Mantis tiller that works great, but it would take a day and a half to do a garden of any size.

Leave the tillers for loose soil gardening.

Nothing beats the big boys.

Here in Central Arizona you"ll see the big operators plowing, then disking and then using a tiller configured for whatever they"re going to plant.

For a back yard garden break the ground whichever way is easiest and then use a tiller.

Bob

A tiller will cause compaction in most soil. The hardpan will need broken up eventually.

It sure sounds like none of the others above have ran a 3pt tiller on a compact tractor. I had used a Troy-Bilt for years and a frt. tine before that-- Never again ! after running that Woods tiller 52" nice ,easy and fast. I had a B1750 Kubota 20 hp ? 4x4 with hydro and frt. loader. Easy on fuel took very little power. I was tilling ground that was just a yard before. I did it in 2 steps because I had no idea of what kinda rocks or roots lay beneath or even what this tiller was capable of. It was in the spring ground was not dry and was not wet just right I'd say ? You start the pto up to rated 540 speed with the tiller out of the ground,then let it down,then just drive ahead. Nice easy and smooth ! This ground had no rocks to speak of. I could of broken that sod in one pass to 8" I'm sure of it. I'm sure this is much faster then plowing ,disking,fitting ground. But I'm also sure there is a breakeven point as far as acres,time is concerned where your just going to have to get out the BIG equipment.
I have no idea of how much you plan to do ? but I'd say if you want to put out a 1 acre garden a 3pt. tiller would be the way to go. Then a Mantis tiller for weeding and cultivating. Mom has a Mantis and loves it.