✅CLICK HERE FOR AN ANGLE GRINDER ➜ amzn.to/44EC4Yw ✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon For more videos like this, check out: 👉How To Fix A Honda Powered Mantis Rototiller With A $12 Carburetor ➜ ruclips.net/video/W-OEFZ6Ghig/видео.html 👉Un-Seizing An Old Briggs Engine On A Sears RotoTiller ➜ ruclips.net/video/JpCLxSYMqso/видео.html 👉How To Repair An Old Briggs Clutch On A RotoTiller ➜ ruclips.net/video/VaVfgQKHeHk/видео.html You can connect with Steve here too: ✅Visit Steve’s WEBSITE ➜ www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ ✅Follow Steve on FACEBOOK ➜ facebook.com/stevessmallenginesaloon ✅Follow Steve on INSTAGRAM ➜ instagram.com/stevessmallenginesaloon/ ✅Follow Steve on TWITTER ➜ twitter.com/SteveSaloon ✅Follow Steve on TIKTOK ➜ www.tiktok.com/@stevessmallenginesaloon
After using a shovel almost every day for 35 years, I can tell you that sharpening makes a huge difference. Also, if you grind that point off and make it more round it will save your ankle when you hit a rock or other hard object and it spins. If you clean all the mud off of it when finished and spray with wd 40 or like, it will keep the rust off and make it much easier to keep your shovel mud free and help the dirt, mud slide off. If someone says that it doesn't matter which shovel you use or how you treat it, they haven't used one enough.
Dang - never thought about it. Saw this video and literally went straight to the shop and put an edge on my Ames long handled shovel - something I use for gardening almost daily. I’m (not easily) impressed. WOW! At 73 I’m wise enough to know I still have a lot to learn. Thanks, April! ❤👍😎
Despite your advanced age (maybe you need to be 90 to know it) the old school, old old school methods have been lost to time, but nearly every long handled garden and construction tool used to be sharpened back in the day. I have the old Popular Mechanics magazines to prove it, with usually an article illustrating better ways to do it or advertising a new and improved file or grinding stone to do it with. Pretty fascinating about this old knowledge that is usually lost to the sands of time...
Great topic!..Curiously i sharpened my rototiller tines about 2 weeks ago-what a difference! I was making my garden larger and working up sod the tiller was bouncing all over the place,after having it for 20 years i decided to sharpen it WOW what a difference it chewed the sod up like magic also in my original garden it worked so much better...as always Thank you Steve and April your the best!
I have a 51 year old tiller and have never sharpened the blades. That's an awsome idea. I will certainly try this. It sounds like a great idea. Will let you know when I'm finished.
You'll be well pleased ! Some farm cultivator shovels ,have an angle & hard point ,that help self - sharpen as they constantly, plow through dirt and rocks
I clean my shovels. I don't sharpen them though. A clean shovel performs a lot better than an old rusty pitted one does. If I'm digging and there's a lot of roots I'll cut them with a mattock. A mattock I'll sharpen.
After watching your video I sharpen my ties and went out and chilling noticing that it was going through the sod and not clogging up near as quick I appreciate your video thank you
Hi April and Steve , we have all raised beds for our garden now and I sold our tiller a few years ago but I used to sharpen the tines on it every year..or so .cheers guy's..
I till my raised beds. I have one of those little Mantis tillers. I turn it into clods with a shovel then run through the clods with the tiller to break the soil up fine. I mix in some peat moss and garden soil to add organics to it too. I used to use a cultivator and that's too labor intensive. I'd be out there for hours chopping away.
Sharpening your shovel is a pratice I have seen guys who work in excavation do regularly, it makes the work go a lot easier. I have seen some people carry a flat mill file around in their back pocket just in case the shovel starts to get dull.
In my younger days as a roustabout in the East Texas oilfield we used to sharpen our shovels out a lot. Not only help with small Roots but also with firm dirt. 👍🏻
Hey April, hey Steve! I don't even have a rototiller, but your learning lesson with a sharpened shovel cracked a smile. I learned from my grandpa to sharpen my spade-blade. My takeaway from this video is, that what you in the U.S. call shovel is some kind of a cross-breed between our German spades and shovels. Makes much sense to me. Lets see, if I can get one of those over the internet to give it a try. Cheers Andreas
I'm pulling out the 5 ft tiller attachment this week. I've been thinking about this topic, only because I'm tilling up a garden that has dead growth as well as new spring growth. Wondering if sharper tines would help chop up and mulch the growth while prepping the soil. You've answered my question. Cold beers for everyone!!!
Hi Steve. I have the same tiller you have. Just finished going through the carb and tank.what oil do you put in the chain drive and where do you put it in?
Sharpened the tynes on my very old Ariens tiller. Tried it yesterday. Saw no difference. I think it is because the soil is moist and soft. I'll have to wait till the ground drys out a bit and try again. They were not very dull to begin with. They are only 51 years old.
I have been putting an edge on my spades for 50 years. I won't use a dull one. ... but I never thought about tiller tines ... seems to me it would be more effective when breaking new sod with lots of roots and such and a lot less necessary on an establish garden bed ...
I have a tiller attachment for my Troy-Bilt Powerhead and I can see how important sharpening the tines could be for a small engine like that. The Powerhead has a 29cc/1.8cu. in. 4-cycle engine, which is respectable for a device like this, but shape tines will help the long inner drive shaft and any bearings last longer and create less stress on the engine. I'll be sure to sharpen them if I use it again. Great tip, Steve! Thanks. Tell April I said Hi.
My Grandfather thought me growing up that if it had an edge on it when it was new, that it needed sharpening as it gets old. Hedgetrimers, an ex,a pick, a shovel, saw, file, drillbit, any blade, whatever. Good practice, still working for me. Anything you can do to make things easier, or easier on the equipment. Great video . Thanks
Never sharpened my tiller except for taking lumps of the edge where it hit a stone, my soil isnt that sandy but the tines on it keep sharp and it has been in use for 10+ years
well i can certainly tell this may reduce a good bit of resistance with my pto driven cultivator. i have to travel pretty slow with my tractor (Challenger MT265B) so sharper blades may allow me to move a little quicker. that alone makes it worth a try.
The real question is, is the time invested returned with interest. For example. Sharpening lawn mower takes 10mins max, will last me all year (unless I’m a muppet), and means my grass is cleanly cut not ripped apart by bludgeoning, leaving horrid ends which die and make a lawn look awful. It also means I can cut grass that is maybe a little longer than is should be without stalling it. So for 10 minutes work there are real tangible benefits for the whole year or ~8 hours of mowing before it needs to be done again (ie. a factor of 48) Spade, 5 mins resulting in an easily job and less back ache. Again tangle benefits. Rotavator, I’m going to assume (as I’m stating it I’m not going to make an ass out of anyone) as I’ve not done it yet, sharping mine will take me 40 minutes, and be more fiddly due to access. I’m also assuming the tines will need more sharpening each time due to greater wear than a lawn mower blade. Usage between each sharpen? I’d guess 2-4 hours? Giving you a factor of ~8. Benefits? Will my soil be cultivated any better? I doubt it. Will it be better for my rotavator? Yes without a doubt, but is it needed. I use a Howard that’s over 50 years old and only replaced the engine (due to poor servicing by previous owner), oh and tines. I see howards still going strong with original Kohler engines. Sharpening your tines will also mean you’ll need to replace them sooner. New tines come sharpened? Probably as having a flat edge would be awful and sharpening is the easiest way to get a edge that you can bed the tine in with until it wears to its natural edge? Finally. Farmers will sharpen mower blades and swap blunt blades on a combine Harvester and doing so leads to better results and less down time/work in the field. I have never heard I farmer sharpen his cultivator blades or swap them just cos they are blunt. The same for rotating hedge croppers which cut with very fast bludgeoning speed rather than needing very 2:29 sharp edges. When the bladed wear in they still do the job and farmers really don’t care for pretty hedges or have half a day required to sharpen them all. Please, this isn’t a troll post, more food for thought. Hell, I’m going to experiment and sharpen my rotavator blades and actually see if there are any benefits. I’m just saying I’m sceptical I’ll do it again unless I have lots of roots in new ground. I must say if I hadn’t seen your video I would not of considered this, so thanks. I probably won’t be doing it all of the time, but I will be thinking “would it help?” now. Love your videos, they’re honest and I’ve learnt lots from you. Thanks for sharing! 😊
The only tiller we have is one of those ol' 'Click-Link' type attachments for the 4-stroke string trimmer. They're nice for weeding/ dressing up the flower beds, but they're so under powered that they could use all the help they can get. I really hate to admit that sharpening it never even dawned on me 🤦♀ Keep up the great work, you two! Oh, and thanks!
Front tine tillers more suited to maintaining a garden than making one. Rear tine better but plowing first eases prep for either. Got an old Sears Suburban garden tractor (beefed up riding mower) circa 1972 that is 12hp Tecumseh H/L 4 speed tranny. In L1 gear i can sink the bottom row plow as deep as it'll go and that old beast doesn't even stutter. Lucky enough to have the 3 point 5hp 3ft tiller, 5 tine cultivator, & 2 front blades for it too. Looking for the mid-mount blade (where mower deck usually hangs), 4 ft sickle bar, and factory buzz saw (mule mount) attachments. If anyone reading this can find ANY of this old units (incl. WHITE HORSE, CUB CADETS & others) snatch them up. They are gold in what they can do.
Yeah I only use a tiller to fine up the soil. They're not too good at digging really. But tillers are great at chopping. If you had to chop it all by hand it'd be a ton of work.
Steve I have the best walk behind rototiller in the world!!😀 Not this one tines are a way different design. 1946 Frazer Rototiller That one on your table I could use it for weight 😄😄
Hey Steve, I bought a new carb., lines, filters and the tank is plastic, if you can install them today,. I won't go to Lowe's and buy one tomorrow. Whatcha say?
0:58 That long handled spade is what us Brits call a WestCountry shovel, invented around 3,000-1,000 BC. It can be used either as a shovel (movin stuff) or a spade (digging).
Steve if I lived closer I would bring my little John Deere tractor with the tiller on the back and I would till up that garden, for that pretty little lady of yours.
Most shovels come with a bevel on the front of the edge. So I've always sharpened them the. same way, instead of filing or grinding the back and creating a double bevel.
I have honestly never heard of sharpening tines. Shovels, yes, I get a lot of customers asking for an edge on their shovel, but to this day I have yet to have anyone ask for tine sharpening. Typically we always just put new tines on the units in the shop if they look particularly bad. Interesting idea. I'll keep this in mind from now on, it might be a good option, I will give it a try.
Excellent point! It's easier on the rototiller operator! That is paramount. Those larger sized front tillers are like trying to tame a wild boar. It feels like you're aiming at the sky half the time. It's great if you need longer arms 😂
For me the timing of this is so funny. My neighbor came over a few weeks ago to see what all the noise was. I had my tiny Sthil tiller out working on a 75 foot by 15 foot patch of yard that needed reseeded due to a water main issue. I had all summer to play with the little tiller. He said put that thing away and I'll use my big front tine tiller. Well, between the drought and the clay soil he wasn't getting very far. I watched him for a bit and I desperately wanted to sharpen the tines on his tiller so they would bite into the soil better. His wife is a petro-chemist and she had me water in Dawn dish soap to help break up the clay and oils from the years of decaying grass and leaves. Amazingly, this made a big difference tilling wise. I still wanted to sharpen the tines though🤭.
I love the whole good mechanic bad mechanic thing you are doing to prove the valid point. Sharp is best and dull sucks rocks. Question should be just how long and how hard to you wish to be working? Always work smarter not harder, your body will always thank you for it. I work for an older gentleman who's philosophy is always find an easier way and don't kill yourself doing something.he is always telling me to slow down, take it easy, and take five when your body tells you to.
This shouldn't be a controversial topic. When new the times are sharp, by using the tines become dull and you should be sharpening them to restore them to factory settings. We sharpen all other blades like our kitchen knives, lawn mower blades, chainsaw....only makes sense we should do the shovel and tiller as well. The tiller will work if you do not do it same as a lawn mower, just that if you wish to be as efficient as possible and get the job done quicker and better then put it on your maintenance sheet once a year. If you really use the equipment a lot you can inspect from time to time and come out with a rule of thumb on how many hours before sharpening, somewhat dependant on soil conditions however many do number of hours on their lawn mower blades and that is a rule that is easy to follow. As a homeowner i only do my lawn mower blade 3 times a season, for a commercial person he would do based upon hours of operation maybe 2 or 3 times a week or 20 hours or so.
Steve I’m trying to discover what the rpm is on my mower gcv 190 Honda , as I’m sure it’s rpm has dropped slightly, I have looked it up Torque rpm ? Cont rated rpm ? Max net rpm ? I’m unsure what they mean
Sharpen the shovel is great idea sharping the tines on a front tine rototiller be it is a front tine and a rear tine tiller is a great idea to do there Steve
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon the truth is that you can also do that to the flat head shovel when you have to scrape the grass from the cracks in your side Walk and driveway oh by the way I found out that red armuor makes the cleaner/. lube for the blades on the hedge trimmer found it on Amazon will send you a link to that on your i.g account
Hey steve. I just scrapped my tiller on the weekend and bought a new one. Id have spark amd then lose it then id open it and the flywheel key was broken. it did that 3 times and then the last time it cracked my flywheel. what would of caused the key to snap everytime the engine fires up.
✅CLICK HERE FOR AN ANGLE GRINDER ➜ amzn.to/44EC4Yw
✅Visit Steve’s PARTS & TOOL STORE ➜ www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon
For more videos like this, check out:
👉How To Fix A Honda Powered Mantis Rototiller With A $12 Carburetor ➜ ruclips.net/video/W-OEFZ6Ghig/видео.html
👉Un-Seizing An Old Briggs Engine On A Sears RotoTiller ➜ ruclips.net/video/JpCLxSYMqso/видео.html
👉How To Repair An Old Briggs Clutch On A RotoTiller ➜ ruclips.net/video/VaVfgQKHeHk/видео.html
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Finally took that hat off! Lovely!
After using a shovel almost every day for 35 years, I can tell you that sharpening makes a huge difference. Also, if you grind that point off and make it more round it will save your ankle when you hit a rock or other hard object and it spins.
If you clean all the mud off of it when finished and spray with wd 40 or like, it will keep the rust off and make it much easier to keep your shovel mud free and help the dirt, mud slide off. If someone says that it doesn't matter which shovel you use or how you treat it, they haven't used one enough.
If they haven't used a shovel enough, I've got a shovel they can use right here, and dirt here to shovel, too, no charge.
I put a slight sharpened edge on my tiller blades at the beginning of the gardening season every year. Been doing it for 30+ years.
Right on
I run a rototiller as a side hustle. I most definitely sharpen the tines.
The difference in fuel and effort is amazing.
Agreed!
Well, I’m fixing my tiller today. Now I will add an extra step. Thanks April! And that other guy.
You're Welcome...
Love the new hatless look, April. Beautiful hair (and you, too!🥰
Dang - never thought about it. Saw this video and literally went straight to the shop and put an edge on my Ames long handled shovel - something I use for gardening almost daily. I’m (not easily) impressed.
WOW!
At 73 I’m wise enough to know I still have a lot to learn. Thanks, April! ❤👍😎
Right on Dan!
Despite your advanced age (maybe you need to be 90 to know it) the old school, old old school methods have been lost to time, but nearly every long handled garden and construction tool used to be sharpened back in the day. I have the old Popular Mechanics magazines to prove it, with usually an article illustrating better ways to do it or advertising a new and improved file or grinding stone to do it with. Pretty fascinating about this old knowledge that is usually lost to the sands of time...
Great topic!..Curiously i sharpened my rototiller tines about 2 weeks ago-what a difference! I was making my garden larger and working up sod the tiller was bouncing all over the place,after having it for 20 years i decided to sharpen it WOW what a difference it chewed the sod up like magic also in my original garden it worked so much better...as always Thank you Steve and April your the best!
Right on buddy! You're Welcome...
I have a 51 year old tiller and have never sharpened the blades. That's an awsome idea. I will certainly try this. It sounds like a great idea. Will let you know when I'm finished.
Right on
You'll be well pleased ! Some farm cultivator shovels ,have an angle & hard point ,that help self - sharpen as they constantly, plow through dirt and rocks
Learned to sharpen my shovel when I was 41 years old. Better late then never. Never thought about garden tiller. That's for the great tip.
You're Welcome...
I clean my shovels. I don't sharpen them though. A clean shovel performs a lot better than an old rusty pitted one does. If I'm digging and there's a lot of roots I'll cut them with a mattock. A mattock I'll sharpen.
After watching your video I sharpen my ties and went out and chilling noticing that it was going through the sod and not clogging up near as quick I appreciate your video thank you
Glad it helped
I was JUST servicing my tiller and this thought actually crossed my mind! Crazy!!
Thank You...
4 minutes in, I had the information I came for. Good content. 👍
Hi April and Steve , we have all raised beds for our garden now and I sold our tiller a few years ago but I used to sharpen the tines on it every year..or so .cheers guy's..
I till my raised beds. I have one of those little Mantis tillers. I turn it into clods with a shovel then run through the clods with the tiller to break the soil up fine. I mix in some peat moss and garden soil to add organics to it too. I used to use a cultivator and that's too labor intensive. I'd be out there for hours chopping away.
thank you april for making steve think the look on his face was priceless!
Sharpening your shovel is a pratice I have seen guys who work in excavation do regularly, it makes the work go a lot easier. I have seen some people carry a flat mill file around in their back pocket just in case the shovel starts to get dull.
Right on
I like your story😂 I like the good looking ladie with no hat!
Me too!
Thanks, guys!
April, awesome thumbnail pic! 👏🏼👏🏼
You're Welcome...
Growing up our rotor tiller was the number two shovel and my mother had a big garden
My Dad used to weld hay mower teeth on his tiller tines. Worked great.
Learn something new every day. Sharpening will be a good winter project before springtime.
Right on
In my younger days as a roustabout in the East Texas oilfield we used to sharpen our shovels out a lot. Not only help with small Roots but also with firm dirt. 👍🏻
Right on
Thanks Steve and April.
You're Welcome...
April, your hair looks great!
yup been sharping shovel for years, told to do it by old timer.... tines on rotortiller sounds good to me to sharpen them.
Right on
Great video. The follow up questions were very helpful.
Thank You...
I never did this but its tiller time here in PA so I'm sharpening them today to try this
Good luck!
Hey April, hey Steve! I don't even have a rototiller, but your learning lesson with a sharpened shovel cracked a smile. I learned from my grandpa to sharpen my spade-blade. My takeaway from this video is, that what you in the U.S. call shovel is some kind of a cross-breed between our German spades and shovels. Makes much sense to me. Lets see, if I can get one of those over the internet to give it a try.
Cheers
Andreas
Steve I was experiencing the same problem the other day, sharpened my spade and wow, brilliant, great hack.
Thank You...
Excellent video. Yes you need to sharpen the tines. Dull tines are just like a dull knife, saw, or any other cutting tool.
Right on
Great video again. Steve what is a good way to get stuck tines off a mtd rear tine tiller? Very rusty.
I'm pulling out the 5 ft tiller attachment this week. I've been thinking about this topic, only because I'm tilling up a garden that has dead growth as well as new spring growth. Wondering if sharper tines would help chop up and mulch the growth while prepping the soil.
You've answered my question.
Cold beers for everyone!!!
Right on
Yep, I'll take those tips. Sounds good to me. Thanks guys👍
You're Welcome...
Hi Steve. I have the same tiller you have. Just finished going through the carb and tank.what oil do you put in the chain drive and where do you put it in?
Sharpened the tynes on my very old Ariens tiller. Tried it yesterday. Saw no difference. I think it is because the soil is moist and soft. I'll have to wait till the ground drys out a bit and try again. They were not very dull to begin with. They are only 51 years old.
Thanks Steve, now i have another sharpening job to get to. 🍻
Have fun!
Great show,April and Steve work great together,. Seems like a good balance ❤ ,
Thank You...
I have been putting an edge on my spades for 50 years. I won't use a dull one. ... but I never thought about tiller tines ... seems to me it would be more effective when breaking new sod with lots of roots and such and a lot less necessary on an establish garden bed ...
Awesome tips Steve O. Another helpful nugget. Cheers 🍻 and Steve Out
Thank You...
Great idea! I don’t have a Roto tiller but I have shovels I could sharpen.
Right on
I have a tiller attachment for my Troy-Bilt Powerhead and I can see how important sharpening the tines could be for a small engine like that. The Powerhead has a 29cc/1.8cu. in. 4-cycle engine, which is respectable for a device like this, but shape tines will help the long inner drive shaft and any bearings last longer and create less stress on the engine. I'll be sure to sharpen them if I use it again. Great tip, Steve! Thanks. Tell April I said Hi.
Yes like Steve pointed out , it saves you ge transmission..how I know from experience ( hard knocks)
I don't do a lot of tilling but I'll sure sharpen my shovel from now on. Thanks 👍
Right on Buddy! You're Welcome...
Well that makes total sense. Like you said it'll work dull but it works better sharp. Point taken!
Right on
My Grandfather thought me growing up that if it had an edge on it when it was new, that it needed sharpening as it gets old. Hedgetrimers, an ex,a pick, a shovel, saw, file, drillbit, any blade, whatever. Good practice, still working for me. Anything you can do to make things easier, or easier on the equipment. Great video . Thanks
You're Welcome...
Just the information i needed, thank you Steve's boss and Steve :)
You're Welcome...
Great to have your wife? Asking questions and making comments. A nice duo!
Never sharpened my tiller except for taking lumps of the edge where it hit a stone, my soil isnt that sandy but the tines on it keep sharp and it has been in use for 10+ years
I never thought about it, but it makes perfectly good sense. Great tip Steve. Thank you.
You're Welcome...
I think both of you are pretty sharp! Good tip.
Thank You...
well i can certainly tell this may reduce a good bit of resistance with my pto driven cultivator. i have to travel pretty slow with my tractor (Challenger MT265B) so sharper blades may allow me to move a little quicker. that alone makes it worth a try.
Agreed!
The real question is, is the time invested returned with interest.
For example. Sharpening lawn mower takes 10mins max, will last me all year (unless I’m a muppet), and means my grass is cleanly cut not ripped apart by bludgeoning, leaving horrid ends which die and make a lawn look awful. It also means I can cut grass that is maybe a little longer than is should be without stalling it. So for 10 minutes work there are real tangible benefits for the whole year or ~8 hours of mowing before it needs to be done again (ie. a factor of 48)
Spade, 5 mins resulting in an easily job and less back ache. Again tangle benefits.
Rotavator, I’m going to assume (as I’m stating it I’m not going to make an ass out of anyone) as I’ve not done it yet, sharping mine will take me 40 minutes, and be more fiddly due to access. I’m also assuming the tines will need more sharpening each time due to greater wear than a lawn mower blade. Usage between each sharpen? I’d guess 2-4 hours?
Giving you a factor of ~8.
Benefits? Will my soil be cultivated any better? I doubt it.
Will it be better for my rotavator? Yes without a doubt, but is it needed. I use a Howard that’s over 50 years old and only replaced the engine (due to poor servicing by previous owner), oh and tines. I see howards still going strong with original Kohler engines.
Sharpening your tines will also mean you’ll need to replace them sooner.
New tines come sharpened? Probably as having a flat edge would be awful and sharpening is the easiest way to get a edge that you can bed the tine in with until it wears to its natural edge?
Finally. Farmers will sharpen mower blades and swap blunt blades on a combine Harvester and doing so leads to better results and less down time/work in the field. I have never heard I farmer sharpen his cultivator blades or swap them just cos they are blunt. The same for rotating hedge croppers which cut with very fast bludgeoning speed rather than needing very 2:29 sharp edges. When the bladed wear in they still do the job and farmers really don’t care for pretty hedges or have half a day required to sharpen them all.
Please, this isn’t a troll post, more food for thought. Hell, I’m going to experiment and sharpen my rotavator blades and actually see if there are any benefits. I’m just saying I’m sceptical I’ll do it again unless I have lots of roots in new ground. I must say if I hadn’t seen your video I would not of considered this, so thanks. I probably won’t be doing it all of the time, but I will be thinking “would it help?” now. Love your videos, they’re honest and I’ve learnt lots from you. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Something to think about, possibly experiment with.
Agreed!
Loved your front tine tiller demonstration. Remember that rear time tillers will take off and drag you across the yard if not careful. Good video..
Good points! Thanks Steve
You're Welcome...
April looks great without a hat on, watch out Steve!!
Agreed!
Great tip. Less fuel used is a bonus too.
Agreed!
Who knew! Good stuff guys keep up the golden gems of information! BTW love the new haircut!
Thank You...
The only tiller we have is one of those ol' 'Click-Link' type attachments for the 4-stroke string trimmer.
They're nice for weeding/ dressing up the flower beds, but they're so under powered that they could use all the help they can get.
I really hate to admit that sharpening it never even dawned on me 🤦♀
Keep up the great work, you two! Oh, and thanks!
Right on
Front tine tillers more suited to maintaining a garden than making one. Rear tine better but plowing first eases prep for either.
Got an old Sears Suburban garden tractor (beefed up riding mower) circa 1972 that is 12hp Tecumseh H/L 4 speed tranny. In L1 gear i can sink the bottom row plow as deep as it'll go and that old beast doesn't even stutter. Lucky enough to have the 3 point 5hp 3ft tiller, 5 tine cultivator, & 2 front blades for it too. Looking for the mid-mount blade (where mower deck usually hangs), 4 ft sickle bar, and factory buzz saw (mule mount) attachments.
If anyone reading this can find ANY of this old units (incl. WHITE HORSE, CUB CADETS & others) snatch them up. They are gold in what they can do.
Yeah I only use a tiller to fine up the soil. They're not too good at digging really. But tillers are great at chopping. If you had to chop it all by hand it'd be a ton of work.
Great tip. I always thought everybody knew that, but looking at comments, you are going to save a lot of people a lot of work
Thanks for the video Steve and April well done 👍 with the info. Take care of yourself and family and be Blessed ❤️❤️👍.
You're Welcome...
Reminds of those old 70's beer commercials "It's tiller time"
Steve I have the best walk behind rototiller in the world!!😀 Not this one tines are a way different design.
1946 Frazer Rototiller
That one on your table I could use it for weight 😄😄
I've learned something new today, thanks
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Yes ,Out of budget and necessity decades ago,, I discovered that sharpening the tunes worked well ,,
Another Brilliant Info
April's Small Engine Saloon
Is Awesome Richard.
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Hey Steve, I bought a new carb., lines, filters and the tank is plastic, if you can install them today,. I won't go to Lowe's and buy one tomorrow. Whatcha say?
0:58 That long handled spade is what us Brits call a WestCountry shovel, invented around 3,000-1,000 BC. It can be used either as a shovel (movin stuff) or a spade (digging).
Steve if I lived closer I would bring my little John Deere tractor with the tiller on the back and I would till up that garden, for that pretty little lady of yours.
Thanks yeah I’ve been doing it for years shovel
Right on
Thanks 64 work on pushing mower back in early 80s out no money ,mower five acres of all summer two push mowers seven hours and 2 hours next day .
I always sharpen my tiller ,there's always nicks and roots and a inspection for worn out parts that may need to be repaired or replaced
Efficiency is what it is all about. Nicely covered.
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Good suggestion, I'll definitely try this. And by the way April is beautiful. Thanks
Agreed!
Great info .... thank you..... How about snowblowers.... do you think it would help to sharpen them?...... Keep up the great work my friend 👍
I agree with sharpening any cutting tool so I'm with you guys on that. And may I say Miss April is looking very pretty as well. Thanks yall.
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I loved it when he said to his lady or his receptionist sharpen rototiller blades your dam self I was Lol at you both.
Most shovels come with a bevel on the front of the edge. So I've always sharpened them the. same way, instead of filing or grinding the back and creating a double bevel.
Steve is always the sharpest tool. Super smart to have beautiful in the thumbnail pic! Many more clicks, for sure!
Right on
I have honestly never heard of sharpening tines. Shovels, yes, I get a lot of customers asking for an edge on their shovel, but to this day I have yet to have anyone ask for tine sharpening. Typically we always just put new tines on the units in the shop if they look particularly bad. Interesting idea. I'll keep this in mind from now on, it might be a good option, I will give it a try.
Right on
I broke a tine off last year hitting a buried brick! Tine looked brand new as far as sharpened and is 20 years old. Never sharpened mine.
Excellent point! It's easier on the rototiller operator! That is paramount. Those larger sized front tillers are like trying to tame a wild boar. It feels like you're aiming at the sky half the time. It's great if you need longer arms 😂
Ha,ha,ha my garden already in and it's popping up already So your all way behind by weeks let's Go people 🙌
For me the timing of this is so funny. My neighbor came over a few weeks ago to see what all the noise was. I had my tiny Sthil tiller out working on a 75 foot by 15 foot patch of yard that needed reseeded due to a water main issue. I had all summer to play with the little tiller. He said put that thing away and I'll use my big front tine tiller. Well, between the drought and the clay soil he wasn't getting very far. I watched him for a bit and I desperately wanted to sharpen the tines on his tiller so they would bite into the soil better.
His wife is a petro-chemist and she had me water in Dawn dish soap to help break up the clay and oils from the years of decaying grass and leaves. Amazingly, this made a big difference tilling wise. I still wanted to sharpen the tines though🤭.
That’s great advice and it makes sense! I’ll have to remember to sharpen my shovel 😁!
Right on
I have learned something today!!!! Thanks😁
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I love the whole good mechanic bad mechanic thing you are doing to prove the valid point. Sharp is best and dull sucks rocks. Question should be just how long and how hard to you wish to be working? Always work smarter not harder, your body will always thank you for it. I work for an older gentleman who's philosophy is always find an easier way and don't kill yourself doing something.he is always telling me to slow down, take it easy, and take five when your body tells you to.
Ok, speaking of tillers, rear-tine vs front-tine, thoughts? I detest front-tine personally.
This shouldn't be a controversial topic. When new the times are sharp, by using the tines become dull and you should be sharpening them to restore them to factory settings. We sharpen all other blades like our kitchen knives, lawn mower blades, chainsaw....only makes sense we should do the shovel and tiller as well. The tiller will work if you do not do it same as a lawn mower, just that if you wish to be as efficient as possible and get the job done quicker and better then put it on your maintenance sheet once a year.
If you really use the equipment a lot you can inspect from time to time and come out with a rule of thumb on how many hours before sharpening, somewhat dependant on soil conditions however many do number of hours on their lawn mower blades and that is a rule that is easy to follow. As a homeowner i only do my lawn mower blade 3 times a season, for a commercial person he would do based upon hours of operation maybe 2 or 3 times a week or 20 hours or so.
Definitely sharpen your post hole digger's.Mantis 2cycle cultivator.Nice video.
Right on
Any opinions out there about using 10W30 HD (diesel) oil for small engines instead of the MUCH more expensive regular 10W30?
Great tip, Thanks👍🏻
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Steve I’m trying to discover what the rpm is on my mower gcv 190 Honda , as I’m sure it’s rpm has dropped slightly,
I have looked it up
Torque rpm ?
Cont rated rpm ?
Max net rpm ?
I’m unsure what they mean
Awesome awesome advice guys. Thanks
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good to know, i just bought an old john deere 214 w/ a m31 rototiller attachment. just one more thing i need to do now. lol
Great video! Now do one on wood chippers, I've got a 6 HP large machine that doesn't seem to do very well.
Sharpen the shovel is great idea sharping the tines on a front tine rototiller be it is a front tine and a rear tine tiller is a great idea to do there Steve
Right on
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon the truth is that you can also do that to the flat head shovel when you have to scrape the grass from the cracks in your side Walk and driveway oh by the way I found out that red armuor makes the cleaner/. lube for the blades on the hedge trimmer found it on Amazon will send you a link to that on your i.g account
Thanks for the information great idea 😊.
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april;s thumbnail brought me :)
I don't have a rotolling machine ghizmo but I liked the thumbnail 🙂
Hey steve. I just scrapped my tiller on the weekend and bought a new one. Id have spark amd then lose it then id open it and the flywheel key was broken. it did that 3 times and then the last time it cracked my flywheel. what would of caused the key to snap everytime the engine fires up.