What an awesome solution, less expense, less implements to maintain. Some would argue the harrow still has an advantage when it comes to horizontal vs vertical soil disruption, but for small to medium scale this is a clear win in my mind!
It’s my first year doing the Curtis stone method.... way harder than I thought.... I have stuff for market this weekend, but I don’t see myself hitting the numbers I should be... I’ll keep fighting the good fight though!
WOW, nice machine and attachment. Not for everyone, but for serious vegetable gardners/farmers with larger gardens. If I were 35 again, I'd get a BCS and eventually add attachments such as this. Thanks for the great video and info.
This is amazing! The tiller has a built in depth adjustment, but you cant use it without taking off the implement! Now you can start shallow and gradually increase the depth when breaking new ground!!
Good news: At 5:20, Curtis mentions to flip the outer tines to prevent lose of soil out the sides of the tiller. BCS America now will flip them for you if you purchase a 30" tiller with a PDR attached to it ($1800 USD). >> "In order to assure perfect 30"-wide planting beds, the PDR includes alternative outside tine holders for the tiller, so that all outside tines are turned inward, and no disturbed soil can spill outside the 30" width of the tiller hood. For units purchased with a tiller, the tines are already "flipped"."
Really cool stuff. Been waiting a year for this one. Thank you for helping to develop this tool and creating another great video that will no doubt help many of us out in the field. Thanks Curtis!
I wanna see his opinions on no till... seems to be the rage, but the time and effort required is killing me, it’s way more than what the book and videos lead me to believe
That's great Curtis. We are about to build a larger market garden farm in Scotland and working through the necessary tools but on a low budget as posible working the beds this will save a good bit of cash over there power Harrow. As a side note, seen a farm in Glasgow Scotland a few weeks ago called locavore, inspired by you and jm, they are working 3 acres doing 700 veg boxes per week, supplying some restaurants and with the addition of a new shop/cafe, turnover has went through the roof figures showing a turnover over 2 million. definitely worth a look. They have their own website, are doing some amazing things for the community and teaching programmes. plus if you ever wish to visit the UK, opening new business opportunities I'm sure they would be delighted.
convert your bcs to electric when my tillers engine seized up i took the engine off and replaced it with a 1hp 36v electric scooter motor and 3 deep cycle batterys not its quieter and no stinky fuel to cart around just plug in and charge then off tilling for around 2 hours
One thing to consider is that if you are removing the quick hitch, you have to bolt the implement directly onto the machine. My mechanic advised against this, because it wears the bolts/casing and if you were to strip or compromise them that would be a big problem. That's why the quick hitch or 3" extender are used, which are made of a heavier, sturdier metal alloy to protect the permanent part of the machine from wear. I love the demo though!
What a great attachment. We opted for a power harrow, no tiller and it does an amazing job at bed prep but man is it heavy and cumbersome in our urban plots. In fact buying the harrow caused my whole farm and bed design to pivot around it (longer beds, bigger pathways, low angle approach). The harrow is amazing at what it does but definitely more suited to the bigger format farm (50-100' beds on flat land). Seriously thinking about a swap out. Hey Curtis, we ditched our 2 gas/diesel powered vehicles (except 1 micro farm truck) for an electric car. Now we go 200km for the price of a coffee. Electric farm tools are definitely the future.
I was just thinking about a way to do this to mine after your video about the other battery powered tool when you mention that your tilther was worn out. Hadn't figured out a Josie lever yet so I'm greatful that bcs made it first
Hi there! Is it ok to turn the outer tines inwards? I have a 26" tiller and it only has 2 tines on the last hub. I know I cant add another 2 outwards because it wont fit. However, I can place them inwards like you. Is it ok?
Urban Farmer Curtis Stone - Nice demonstration and tips. I´ll trow my 2 cents. ;-) To overcome the weight unbalance issue. Use counter weights on the front. Dumbbell weights are perfect for the task and easily adjustable. ;-) That way you can comfortably keep the "quick connector", without too many adverse effects. The overall weight of the machine will increase, but also the traction. In Europe we do it all the time, mostly for traction, when your pulling a trailer. Which is a problem you don´t seem to have in that kind of flat urban plot. :-) Thanks for sharing. Cheers
What model ...710,720,739,749,852,853,750... which one is best for 7 acre farms...which one is better , more powerful, faster working speed and more duties? Could you please recommend?
Hi Pal, For Curtis' application, he won't be using any other attachments. So the coupler isn't really necessary. Also, since turning around can be challenging with the limited space available in urban farming, the extra six inches that the weight kit sticks out can be a hindrance. By removing the coupler and not using the weight kit, Curtis has shortened the overall length of the tractor by almost 10 inches.
Thanks for the info. I just found my next purchase. And for those of you who don’t have a BCS, you are WASTING hundreds of hours a year hand spading or whatever you do.
What model bcs and attachment info are you using? I like this setup and thank you for all you do and stand for in your industry. Can’t wait to start my 3 acre farm in Idaho. Bought all three arced for 14.500 dollars and am so blessed!!
We have retail pricing on our website (bcsamerica.com/). You can fill a shopping cart with equipment there, or use the "find a dealer" button at the top to find someone who sells BCS in your area.
Hi Don, The Rotary Plow and the Tiller are not designed to perform the same functions and are not interchangeable. For a great overview of the intended applications of our Market Farming tools, check out these demonstration videos with JM Fortier: bcsamerica.com/pages/bcs-and-the-market-garden Please let us know if you have any questions!
Looks interesting. I have been considering a spader for BCS, but this would be lighter. The spader would be better to cut off grass roots and tap rooted weeds, I suppose, and less soil disturbance than the tiller and PDR. Do you have any experience with spaders? Which is better for spring bed prep and cover crop incorporation?
J Merritt - That´s very limited approach. US market, correct me if I´m wrong, only "talk" of two major brands of walk behind tractors. BCS & Grillo. Goldoni, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Fort, Valpadana, Hyundai, Kubota, Husqvarna, Honda... and a bunch more are all out there. ;-)
BCSAmerica I don't own a BCS, but I often see smaller models in my local used market. I usually write them off because they don't have the size or power to run the implements I'd like, like the power harrow for instance. With this sort of an attachment it would make smaller used tractors with just the tiller attachment instantly valuable to the work I do in my 5,000 sq ft garden which I have a hard time justifying the price and size of the larger tractors as a brand new purchase.
BCSAmerica I don't own one ether and am still able to do most of my bed prep by hand. My garden isn't that big at all. Something the size of a lawn mower is more than enough for me.
Very nice. BCS has needed a proper adjustable depth stop to their tiller forever. The tiny shoe theyve used for decades is a joke. Disappointing though on the price. $1000 for some metal bits bolted to the back seems like too much
Hey Scott - The PDR is available as a kit that will mount to any 30" BCS tiller produced after 1994. It's also available pre-installed on a shiny new silver Tiller.
That thing is brilliant man, can it be bought for any of the bcs tillers, 27”, 30” etc.? What size is your tiller? And thanks for the tip on turning the tines around. Champion man!!
Great videos, one of my favorite gardening sites. Your music is too load though, I have to keep adjusting my volume to hear your voice and then I get blasted out with the music. Thanks for the great content. Happy gardening.
IDK the price differance between the power harrow VS. the PDR but seems that PDR would be cheaper simplely because its a add on A BCS tractor could Be upwards of 60% or more of a new small farm operations start up even as used model Now if BCS could a super sized quick cut greens harvester ....
I am in a similar situation. I have land to spare but am working two jobs and trying to pay off medical and student loan debt so I have little to invest into my family garden / maybe someday market garden. I have researched it in my area, and I can't find anything bigger then a 718/722 available for rent. I would love to find a 739+ with multiple implements available to rent for groundbreaking (rotary plow/tiller) and bed shaping. I know BCS makes "rental" tines for the tiller that are extra heavy duty but I am thinking the wear and tear groundbreaking does makes rentals less profitable. Curtis talks in his book and videos about hiring someone with a tractor, but it's easier said then done. I guess I may need to work on my social capital some but I can't seem to find anyone with an appropriate tractor and subsoiler/tiller in my area interested in small scale work.
I am limited by a 36" garage door I have sourced a bunch of old Boy Scout 10x10 foot tents with ends/door flaps so I will be tarping to kill off the weeds there now I have very Sandy soil This Area was big Potato growing area back in the day so I need to work in lots of carbon and Nitrogen the manure I have a source for with My backyard chicken flock I have spreading they bedding and manure around I can get organic certified compost for 7 a yard plus delvery charges I am thinking of renting a pick up to haul the compost wheel barrow it to back yard then renting a tiller and working it I haven't figured out how I am going to get something in soil to help hold water coir or peat moss or vermiculite then work out the water lines
I don't get on board with the "all electric" world. Rather than energy being produced on site by a small, very efficient, combustion engine, the energy used to charge the battery is produced by a carbon source fuel powering a turbine down the power grid at the electric COOP. A large majority are clean burning coal facilities, some are hydro electric if you live in a region blessed with a large body of water and a very few are nuclear reactors.
Which takes more time after your tilling etc. And your disturbing all the natural biology that had been established by the previous crops. Haven't you ever watched Paul Kaiser's NOFA/Mass presentation? I stumbled across his methods couple years ago. I only need broad fork once in spring now. No more noisy tiller pissing off the neighbors for me. And yes it was hard as hell to broad-fork the first season but by the end of the second it was butter.
What an awesome solution, less expense, less implements to maintain. Some would argue the harrow still has an advantage when it comes to horizontal vs vertical soil disruption, but for small to medium scale this is a clear win in my mind!
It’s my first year doing the Curtis stone method.... way harder than I thought.... I have stuff for market this weekend, but I don’t see myself hitting the numbers I should be... I’ll keep fighting the good fight though!
Awesome to see such awesome quality content from another Canadian youtuber! Keep it up man!
WOW, nice machine and attachment. Not for everyone, but for serious vegetable gardners/farmers with larger gardens. If I were 35 again, I'd get a BCS and eventually add attachments such as this. Thanks for the great video and info.
This is amazing! The tiller has a built in depth adjustment, but you cant use it without taking off the implement! Now you can start shallow and gradually increase the depth when breaking new ground!!
Good news: At 5:20, Curtis mentions to flip the outer tines to prevent lose of soil out the sides of the tiller. BCS America now will flip them for you if you purchase a 30" tiller with a PDR attached to it ($1800 USD). >> "In order to assure perfect 30"-wide planting beds, the PDR includes alternative outside tine holders for the tiller, so that all outside tines are turned inward, and no disturbed soil can spill outside the 30" width of the tiller hood. For units purchased with a tiller, the tines are already "flipped"."
Looks like a good way to go for getting the seedbed ready. The more versatility that you can get out of the BCS, the better.
This is a great cost effective alternative to the power harrow.
Really cool stuff. Been waiting a year for this one. Thank you for helping to develop this tool and creating another great video that will no doubt help many of us out in the field. Thanks Curtis!
I wanna see his opinions on no till... seems to be the rage, but the time and effort required is killing me, it’s way more than what the book and videos lead me to believe
That's great Curtis. We are about to build a larger market garden farm in Scotland and working through the necessary tools but on a low budget as posible working the beds this will save a good bit of cash over there power Harrow. As a side note, seen a farm in Glasgow Scotland a few weeks ago called locavore, inspired by you and jm, they are working 3 acres doing 700 veg boxes per week, supplying some restaurants and with the addition of a new shop/cafe, turnover has went through the roof figures showing a turnover over 2 million. definitely worth a look. They have their own website, are doing some amazing things for the community and teaching programmes. plus if you ever wish to visit the UK, opening new business opportunities I'm sure they would be delighted.
convert your bcs to electric when my tillers engine seized up i took the engine off and replaced it with a 1hp 36v electric scooter motor and 3 deep cycle batterys not its quieter and no stinky fuel to cart around just plug in and charge then off tilling for around 2 hours
some more infos about your converted BCS?
You really can tell the reverse tines not throwing dirt outwards when the the PDR is high
This is great. I have a really big micro-farm area and a tilther takes FOREVER!!!!
Awesome Curtis you aren’t just a farmer you’re an innovator.
They use somthing very similar on the big farms in the area to the PDR called a Rolling basket Harrrow, but much larger.
One thing to consider is that if you are removing the quick hitch, you have to bolt the implement directly onto the machine. My mechanic advised against this, because it wears the bolts/casing and if you were to strip or compromise them that would be a big problem. That's why the quick hitch or 3" extender are used, which are made of a heavier, sturdier metal alloy to protect the permanent part of the machine from wear. I love the demo though!
What a great attachment. We opted for a power harrow, no tiller and it does an amazing job at bed prep but man is it heavy and cumbersome in our urban plots. In fact buying the harrow caused my whole farm and bed design to pivot around it (longer beds, bigger pathways, low angle approach). The harrow is amazing at what it does but definitely more suited to the bigger format farm (50-100' beds on flat land). Seriously thinking about a swap out.
Hey Curtis, we ditched our 2 gas/diesel powered vehicles (except 1 micro farm truck) for an electric car. Now we go 200km for the price of a coffee. Electric farm tools are definitely the future.
I was just thinking about a way to do this to mine after your video about the other battery powered tool when you mention that your tilther was worn out. Hadn't figured out a Josie lever yet so I'm greatful that bcs made it first
Hi there! Is it ok to turn the outer tines inwards? I have a 26" tiller and it only has 2 tines on the last hub. I know I cant add another 2 outwards because it wont fit. However, I can place them inwards like you. Is it ok?
Exciting! I can’t wait to get one. Should be really helpful on the farm.
11/2 acres of growing area.
Super Awesome Content as always! Curtis you rock!
Urban Farmer Curtis Stone
- Nice demonstration and tips. I´ll trow my 2 cents. ;-)
To overcome the weight unbalance issue. Use counter weights on the front. Dumbbell weights are perfect for the task and easily adjustable. ;-)
That way you can comfortably keep the "quick connector", without too many adverse effects.
The overall weight of the machine will increase, but also the traction. In Europe we do it all the time, mostly for traction, when your pulling a trailer. Which is a problem you don´t seem to have in that kind of flat urban plot. :-)
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
What model ...710,720,739,749,852,853,750... which one is best for 7 acre farms...which one is better , more powerful, faster working speed and more duties? Could you please recommend?
Can I be alone in being impressed how close to the end of the bed you can get the PDR? Nimble piece of kit.
Finally. Is the one you were working with BCS from earlier in the year?
Why do you not use front balance weight instead of eliminate the coupler?
Hi Pal,
For Curtis' application, he won't be using any other attachments. So the coupler isn't really necessary. Also, since turning around can be challenging with the limited space available in urban farming, the extra six inches that the weight kit sticks out can be a hindrance. By removing the coupler and not using the weight kit, Curtis has shortened the overall length of the tractor by almost 10 inches.
Can you use this with any tiller?
Man! That's beautiful! Now I want one!
Thanks for the info. I just found my next purchase. And for those of you who don’t have a BCS, you are WASTING hundreds of hours a year hand spading or whatever you do.
Price point is pretty high for what it is. I would be a buyer if it were more reasonably priced
Beautiful garden!
What model bcs and attachment info are you using? I like this setup and thank you for all you do and stand for in your industry. Can’t wait to start my 3 acre farm in Idaho. Bought all three arced for 14.500 dollars and am so blessed!!
Hi Dwane,
Curtis uses our Model 739 Tractor and this new PDR accessory fits on our 30" Tiller attachment.
Thanks!
Bcs what is the cost of the 739 tiller and this attachment as shown and also the attachment to lay down the black plastic mulch?
We have retail pricing on our website (bcsamerica.com/). You can fill a shopping cart with equipment there, or use the "find a dealer" button at the top to find someone who sells BCS in your area.
Hey man, love your videos. One small critique, the volume on the music is pretty high compared to when you're talking.
Curtis, If you were buying a new BCS, would you get this tiller or go for the rotary plow?
This, if it were me. The rotary plough is not very useful for us in a regular basis.
Wife and I run semi-raised beds. We are kinda torn on which to get. It's a chunk of cash either way.
Hi Don,
The Rotary Plow and the Tiller are not designed to perform the same functions and are not interchangeable. For a great overview of the intended applications of our Market Farming tools, check out these demonstration videos with JM Fortier: bcsamerica.com/pages/bcs-and-the-market-garden
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Looks interesting. I have been considering a spader for BCS, but this would be lighter. The spader would be better to cut off grass roots and tap rooted weeds, I suppose, and less soil disturbance than the tiller and PDR. Do you have any experience with spaders? Which is better for spring bed prep and cover crop incorporation?
Here I was hoping for a no-till drill.
Now THAT would get me to invest in a bcs
Put a weight pack on the front of the machine
Got it for the grillo?
Bcs number one hands down
BCS is the king of walk behind tractors.
J Merritt - That´s very limited approach. US market, correct me if I´m wrong, only "talk" of two major brands of walk behind tractors. BCS & Grillo.
Goldoni, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Fort, Valpadana, Hyundai, Kubota, Husqvarna, Honda... and a bunch more are all out there. ;-)
Curtis what wheel spacers are you using? Is this to have less compaction on the bed?
PS love the PDR hope they ship to Australia!
Just the ones they sell on their site and yes.
Dang, now I want a BCS. Is it coming out in smaller sizes?
Chris Polk Yes, that would be more ideal for us home gardeners.
The PDR is only available for 30'' BCS tillers for now. Stay tuned for smaller versions! What size tiller do you have?
BCSAmerica I don't own a BCS, but I often see smaller models in my local used market. I usually write them off because they don't have the size or power to run the implements I'd like, like the power harrow for instance. With this sort of an attachment it would make smaller used tractors with just the tiller attachment instantly valuable to the work I do in my 5,000 sq ft garden which I have a hard time justifying the price and size of the larger tractors as a brand new purchase.
BCSAmerica I don't own one ether and am still able to do most of my bed prep by hand. My garden isn't that big at all. Something the size of a lawn mower is more than enough for me.
Very nice. BCS has needed a proper adjustable depth stop to their tiller forever. The tiny shoe theyve used for decades is a joke. Disappointing though on the price. $1000 for some metal bits bolted to the back seems like too much
God I could of done with that today,just cultivated a new 500m2 lawn with a bcs today would of saved a lot of raking and levelling
$995.00 as add on. $1800.00 with 30" tiller attachment
That thing is badass. Does it work on old style BCS tillers too or just that newer one?
Hey Scott - The PDR is available as a kit that will mount to any 30" BCS tiller produced after 1994. It's also available pre-installed on a shiny new silver Tiller.
BCSAmerica any dealers in Australia?
The 18" model is the narrowest we sell.
I think he meant if there's any PDR for the 18"
The PDR is only available in a 30" model... right now.
That thing is brilliant man, can it be bought for any of the bcs tillers, 27”, 30” etc.? What size is your tiller? And thanks for the tip on turning the tines around. Champion man!!
Just 30 inch.
Thanks for the info. Lol prolly be heading to the dealership tomorow.
I saw a video somewhere of a guy that converted his bcs to electric.
Someday ... Someday ... Thanks for another great video!
Buying a bcs scares me...i think i’ll stick to drz raised beds and aquaponics for now...maybe a cut flower garden one day
bcs needs to make a walleye fishing boat attachment
Hello Curtis! Could you tell me if I can find it in Europe? I've been searching for it in Spain without any luck. Thanks
It's made by BCS America, so I don't think you can yet.
Urban Farmer Curtis Stone Oh....😔 well...Power harrow then I guess. Thanks for the help!
How is that thing worth more than the tiller itself?
Quick question, you still deep tilled, what happened to no till? Not a criticism, just trying to get my head around when you do/don’t till.
Thanks.
There's many tools in the tool kit basically. We do a variety of things and don't get hung up on only one way to do something.
Curtis, hello what model is your BCS?
Really enjoy your videos and philosophy
says on the side--739
Like to see Jean Martin do a review as well.
Very cool!
Ugh, after a week of using the power harrow, I wish I had one of these. Better try to sell my harrow now before no one's buying!
Carefull with that retro 70s sound; warm sunny days, disco dancing and giant rotovators, finds Urban Curtis toe-less in Kelowna.
Wow, it is something what I need.
Morning Curtis Awesome implement, Thanks for the vid. Kimbal Musk may be who you want to talk to
Way cool Curtis ;)
Who is Bob and why do we have to bring his uncle into this...lol
I hope Bob wasn't a sensitive issue for you ;)
It's a Canadian thing
I played it on repeat until I annoyed my wife. Then I looked it up.
Scott York "Bob's uncle" doesn't have anything to do with it.
It's that well . . . , Bob's your uncle.
Stop tilling deep... You used to be against it, now you're for it. Talk about killing all the worms and alot of the microbial life.
Great videos, one of my favorite gardening sites. Your music is too load though, I have to keep adjusting my volume to hear your voice and then I get blasted out with the music. Thanks for the great content. Happy gardening.
IDK the price differance between the power harrow VS. the PDR but seems that PDR would be cheaper simplely because its a add on
A BCS tractor could Be upwards of 60% or more of a new small farm operations start up even as used model
Now if BCS could a super sized quick cut greens harvester ....
On their website it is $995 for the PDR, $1800 if you but it and the tiller together VS $2100 for the smaller power harrow. .
I am in a similar situation. I have land to spare but am working two jobs and trying to pay off medical and student loan debt so I have little to invest into my family garden / maybe someday market garden. I have researched it in my area, and I can't find anything bigger then a 718/722 available for rent. I would love to find a 739+ with multiple implements available to rent for groundbreaking (rotary plow/tiller) and bed shaping. I know BCS makes "rental" tines for the tiller that are extra heavy duty but I am thinking the wear and tear groundbreaking does makes rentals less profitable. Curtis talks in his book and videos about hiring someone with a tractor, but it's easier said then done. I guess I may need to work on my social capital some but I can't seem to find anyone with an appropriate tractor and subsoiler/tiller in my area interested in small scale work.
I am limited by a 36" garage door I have sourced a bunch of old Boy Scout 10x10 foot tents with ends/door flaps so I will be tarping to kill off the weeds there now I have very Sandy soil This Area was big Potato growing area back in the day so I need to work in lots of carbon and Nitrogen the manure I have a source for with My backyard chicken flock I have spreading they bedding and manure around I can get organic certified compost for 7 a yard plus delvery charges I am thinking of renting a pick up to haul the compost wheel barrow it to back yard then renting a tiller and working it I haven't figured out how I am going to get something in soil to help hold water coir or peat moss or vermiculite then work out the water lines
The last time I talked to my BCS dealer to ask for a price he asked me, "Are you sitting down?"
Just like everything else.
This is a very nice tool and I would definitely be interested in buying one but I believe at $995 for the add-on the price is just too high.
I don't get on board with the "all electric" world. Rather than energy being produced on site by a small, very efficient, combustion engine, the energy used to charge the battery is produced by a carbon source fuel powering a turbine down the power grid at the electric COOP. A large majority are clean burning coal facilities, some are hydro electric if you live in a region blessed with a large body of water and a very few are nuclear reactors.
good content but the urban farmer BCS doesnt work.
Shit yeah!!!!
n iice
Still wont give up on creating that hardpan eh? Silly boy.
That's why we fork the beds dude.
Which takes more time after your tilling etc. And your disturbing all the natural biology that had been established by the previous crops. Haven't you ever watched Paul Kaiser's NOFA/Mass presentation? I stumbled across his methods couple years ago. I only need broad fork once in spring now. No more noisy tiller pissing off the neighbors for me. And yes it was hard as hell to broad-fork the first season but by the end of the second it was butter.
Yes, Paul is awesome. Many ways to skin a cat man. Don't get hung up there being only way to do one thing.
hipster music is hipster