Bouncing around with my Agri-fab tow-tiller. It's a lot of work unless established, loose dirt.

[@JenniferSteele-l7o]

1 -tiller is set too deep for first cut,..set it to shallowest setting then deeper with each pass 2 can't expect it to not hop around if you use the stop go method...needs to be a staedy speed like ploughing 3 you shound not be braking shear pins because this machine has a built in clutch 4 I have tilled several large areas and broke sod with mine , in clay filled soil without a problem ,TAKE YOUR TIME and watch a few videos, these work like a dream if you opperate them properly

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Thanks for posting. I sure can't really rebut, since you have the same machine and similar conditions. The pin I sheered off was the one underneath machine that holds the height adjustment in place. I still have the machine...need to fix it. I've used it for leveling some ground and scratching up the surface for seeding a lawn before, and need it for that again in an area I can' reach with my tractor and 3pt. tiller.

[@FelonyVideos]

Oh wow, a walk behind would be less work. Thanks for the video! Learning about mistakes videos are the most valuable kind of videos!

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

You bet!

[@2bthirsty]

I was going to buy one of these until I watched this video. Looks like a pain in the ASS!

[@Zappy1210]

I have a similar tiller, to be fair in the video he was set too deep for the first pass. I generally do the highest setting on the first pass, middle setting on the second and then deepest on the 3rd. It actually works great. Also in the video the tiller does not like the "start-stop" method. It prefers a very slow constant forward motion. If your mower does not have a low and slow, this machine most likely isn't what you want. Also, a 3 point hitch makes things easier too, but not absolutely needed.

[@gmansecond4103]

Always wanted one. This was almost too painful to watch. Glad I didn't invest the money in that junk. Thanks for the video, though.

[@RichardMensing-z7p]

I've had mine for several years- mixed results. It's often very hard to start- like right now. Any tips?

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Mine (this year) has also had a couple instances of struggling to start. I wish knew what was causing it. When it happens, it starts (eventually) with smoke and sputtering. I'd be upset, but it normally runs great, and is wonderful on my hills, so I try not to complain too much. I just passed 120 hours and finally replaced my oil! What a mess! I ordered an extension tube for the drain plug....perhaps I'll post a video of that. I'm sorry I don't have more information for you and your starting issues. Remember, I'm only Handy-ish!

[@mbeecher9921]

I have a very similar machine. Proper bed prep is vital. Lay down 3 inches of manure. Tarp it for a couple of weeks to let worms and microbes do nature stuff. Run the tiller at a depth where it's just scraping the top inch of previous top soil. Tarp it again to smother any weeds. Tillers aren't digging machines. They're for establishing a bed the first time. After that just mulching and adding compost and nature keeps the bed alive. You don't ever need to till a bed more than once, it's bad for the soil.

[@justlovetosing]

I bought one for 600 dollars used The first round around my trees it worked great..... this time one round and the tine bar totally twisted sideways now the chain box is bent I straightened it out again we will see what happens this time. 600 lost if it doesn't work but sucks because I really need a smaller one like this to get in between rows. it is non highest setting too and ground was already tilled 4 weeks ago

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

@@justlovetosing Good luck! I was fortunate to find a family with a perfect garden bed and needed one. Happy to give it away and take the loss. Hoping you get yours working and dialed in for your needs.

[@mikhailkimbel91]

I was looking at these... I've been using a 100$ used front tine walk behind huskee for a few years now that honestly does a great job just going slow even breaking new ground with a few passes I wonder if this just needs shallow depth and slow/more passes?

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

You nailed it. That said, ground conditions need to be right, too. This tiller can grab chunks of clay and throw them when you only want to nibble, and then on next pass the tiny wheels will fall into the "pot hole" and toss the machine enough sideways that it'll try to grab more chunks on one side. Hmm. More weight? I dunno. This is now broken... (height adjustment pin was tiny) and wore/sheared off. I would buy a walk behind if I had to do it again, or borrow/rent. I have a much bigger property than when I bought it, and inherited a beautiful old tractor and 3 pt. tiller...what a dream!

[@mikhailkimbel91]

@@Mr.Handy-ish nice man!! Glad I saw your video

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

@@mikhailkimbel91 Hey, me too! Have a good one.

[@mikeshepherd4682]

I have the same AgriFab tiller. These are too powerful for your foot pedal drive Husquvarna. I had the same trouble with mine behind My newer John Deere 300 with the foot pedal drive. A gear drive garden tractor works great as the tractor drive wheels in low gear let you inch along at a steady pace. I have a 1986 John Deere 318 with hydrostatic drive on a hand lever for speed control. This Combo works like a charm. I am here now researching an electric lift for the tiller. The lever is a hard pull with you all twisted up on the tractor seat. Good way to injure a back.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Yep. That lever actually has a weak pin under the machine that broke, sending the handle into my wrist...bruised it pretty good. Good luck with your mods! I miss being able to find cheap gear drive mowers. Fortunately, I inherited a JD 2040 with a 3pt tiller not long after buying this property. I'm thinking of giving this one to a HS kid that tinkers on small engine stuff.

[@45valk]

I won😢if some concrete blocks for weight would help?

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Maybe, but not designed for it. I actually gave it away to a student who tinkers on small engines. Turns out, it's perfect for his family's garden.

[@dancoleman8467]

I bought a brand new one from Lowes, but I cannot get it to start no matter what I try. I need help.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Follow the destructions...it took a few tries and playing with the choke for me to get her going. Also make sure your clutch is off...the handle that activates the tines.

[@earthbreaker]

I dunno never had any trouble with mine breaking new ground.. Drop it down and just go slow.. With any tiller you need to make multiple passes.. I have 2 tillers.. That one you have, and the factory one for my x738 deere. Both tillers are very similar and bounce all over the place. You do not want a gear drive tractor for tilling, ever..

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

To be fair, we have hard/heavy clay, so breaking new ground was tough with it. It had a weak small diameter pin holding the height adjustment rod in place...it broke and I have yet to replace it. I'm sure I will. I have a 3pt tiller now, so this can retire to light duty🙂

[@MattPiekarsky]

Gear drives are the best. You can put them in low, and let them crawl and pulverize the ground on the first pass. Hydrostatic transmissions cannot go slow enough. Why would you EVER say a gear drive is bad?

[@joshuaperry9375]

​@@MattPiekarsky you can absolutely crawl with my 1982 john Deere 317 hydro garden tractor and in my experience just about any hydro that's worth a crap. All these cheesy new MTD lawn mowers won't work hard enough any way.

[@jimmycarter9099]

Love it man

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Only if you've got an established garden...otherwise, beware! Thanks for the view and comment!!

[@chiseltip1734]

I have this same tiller and have no issues like this. It looks like youre trying to work hard unbroken ground which is the reason for your troubles

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Definitely needed to be plowed first or turned over with a shovel. I did that on another garden earlier...a bit more success. I use a 3pt. Tiller on the tractor now. I used a walk-behind over a decade ago now...that was cheaper and did a better job. Admittedly, that was much better soil. We have very hard clay now.

[@Jos5333]

TO WILD :-)

[@nathanbrunner6026]

do you still have your agri fab tow tiller ?

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

I do, but it broke the pin that holds the height adjustment and I haven't replaced it, so it's inoperable.

[@darrellwofford3297]

very good video I enjoyed your it . but I think if you could slow your mower down a little , even being the first time you tilled but I'm sure you have figure that out your self thanks for the video.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Thanks! Definitely need to go slow...with heavy clay it wants to grab and pull itself forward. It makes it difficult to control speed with a non-gear drive. I feel like even a gear drive machine pulling it would go too fast... you'd have to be tilling (scratching) the surface and go slightly deeper each time. For well-established and/or lighter soil types, this might work well. That's what the brand shows in their videos.

[@six4standingtall]

Basically work better with land that has been plowed or broken up prior .

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Exactly!

[@Ironrodlife]

Wroked like normal once you turned the choke off .....

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Funny how stuff works when we use it right 😏

[@cody481]

Plow first. Even a single tooth ripper.

[@jasonbates7042]

Get a refund!!

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Lol...too late by a couple years.

[@jasonbates7042]

@@Mr.Handy-ish Don’t mean no disrespect. I’m just looking at different options short of buying a tractor to till the wife’s 1/4 acre garden every year. I have a good walk behind rear tine tiller that’s been very reliable but I’m just getting too old and fat (Lazy) for that much work. Lol.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

@jason bates Nah!...I agree with you... it's not worth the $$ especially if buying new. I posted another short rant video after a pin broke, sending the lift arm into MY arm...nasty bruise. Today I got on my tractor with 3pt rototiller to redo the garden...make a bit bigger. Uploading it now. Sure you've considered hiring it tilled each year...$$ there, too😒

[@W.Vanderbilt]

That thing is a POS !

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Yep. My clay ground broke it....too light. What a waste of money. If you've got the right ground it'd be fine. I watched other videos where it looks so nice... that's light, sandy ground. Did you see mine hopping, getting bigger down? I hate to admit it, but you are so right.

[@jamesashbaugh4320]

Under $500. I guess you get what you pay for.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

I wish it was only $500! 😒😬 Lesson learned the hard way, for sure.

[@The570Experience]

Worthless

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Yeah... definitely for a niche buyer. Shoulda just gotten a walk behind.

[@anthonyr5869]

Looks dangerous and stupid.

[@joshuaperry9375]

It would work better with a garden tractor because it wont be able to push that around.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

That would certainly help.

[@germanmg42]

Ho...lee......shit......dude.. idle that lawnmower all the way down so its goin as slow as possible. The rototiller pushes so its not gonna over work the tractor. Then the tiller isn't bitting off more than it can chew. Lol what the hell lol.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

The mower was just enough over idle to move the tiller when actually pulling through the soil(aside from when I revved up to move faster when not tilling)...problem is the tiller actually pushes the mower forward...forcing itself to bite off more than it can chew. Also has trouble controlling depth of bite and heavy claydoesmt help. The little wheels they have on it can't keep the machine from tipping into looser soil making one side dig deeper. I've seen videos of it working well, but never in heavy clay and on hills with a lightweight mower. It was not a good buy (for me). I love my 3pt. tiller, though!!.no issues. Thanks for watching.

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

All that said...I certainly don't claim to have it all figured out!

[@jonathansaxon2883]

I had sameone pos I was always fixing something on it if I was buy another one be dr pro 36t looks be built well Mine chain where augers are broke junk now

[@Mr.Handy-ish]

Thanks for sharing your experience.