Agristore USA Blogs

Finding replacement tiller tines can be a pain.  Hopefully this blog post can solve one of the mysteries of tiller tines. First, I'll talk about the differences between C shape and L shape tiller tines.  Further down, I'll give you some information on which you should choose for your soil.

You may have heard of C shape and L shape tiller tines and now you're not sure which ones to buy.  In many cases, Agristore USA stocks both C and L shape tines for the same tiller models.  

In general, L shape tines form a 90° angle.

C shape tines come in a broad variety of obtuse angles and will have a more gradual curve between the mounting end and the cutting end.

The two tiller tines above have the exact same mounting holes and fit the exact same tiller models.  However, when I put them together you can see the differences in soil depth and cutting angle.

These two tiller tines serve different purposes in the field.  The C shape tine on the left is better suited for medium-to-heavy clay, rocky soil, and densely packed soil.  The less aggressive angle allow the blade to penetrate the soil  more easily while getting a little deeper to mix tough soil.  The L shape tine on the right is better suited for sandy soil, loam, and loosely packed soil.  The 90° angle forces the entire cutting side of the blade to enter the soil at the same time.

For more information about different soil types and tiller tines, please see the United States Soil blog post.

For more information about right hand and left hand tiller tines, please see the Left Hand or Right Hand blog post.

The United States of America is the 3rd largest country in the world. The contiguous states span from 25°N to 49°N and from 67°W to 125°W allowing for a huge amount of soil diversity throughout the country.  When you choosing the correct ground engaging implements, like tiller tines, it is important to keep your soil type in mind.

To help you, Agristore USA has gathered some soil survey maps of the United States from the National Soil Survey Center of the USDA.

Soil moisture is a crucial component of growing crops.  It is also important when working the land.  If you are working with soil that is very low in moisture, you will need different equipment than if you are working with moisture-heavy soil.  

Here is a map showing average soil moisture throughout the United States.

Click any of the maps to expand them.  The original files and more information can be found at the NRCS website.

This map shows the regions of the United States which are more vulnerable to drought.  This does not mean the red areas are more likely to have drought but rather that they experience droughts more severely.

The next map shows soil density.  It was created by attempting to penetrate the ground throughout the United States with radar and measuring how deep the waves traveled.  I think this is the most useful map for determining the kinds of implements you'll need, specifically tiller blades.

If you live in a region with low soil density (green, light green, light tan, and some tan areas), you will want to use L shaped tiller tines.  The L shape is more aggressive and works well with looser soil.  However, if you live in a region with high soil density (purple, brown, and some tan areas), you should use C shaped tiller tines.  The C shape is less aggressive and will work better than the L shape tines in dense or rocky soil.  You can browse Agristore USA's tiller tines by clicking here.

This is a map showing average soil temperature in different regions of the United States.

Finally, this map shows the different soil types or "textures" which naturally occur throughout the country.  It is useful for determining what kinds of crops will thrive in each region.

When ordering tiller blades, it's important to keep in mind that there are actually two different blades on a tiller: a right-hand blade and a left-hand blade. How do you know which is which?

Step 1: Remove the tiller blade from the tiller.

Step 2: Hold the tine so that it dangles from the bolt holes.

Step 3: Holding the blade in front of you, turn it so that the cutting edge faces you. If the blade curves to the left, it's a left-hand blade. If it curves to the right, it's a right-hand blade.

The blade pictured above is a left-hand blade.

For more information about C shape and L shape tiller tines, please see the C Shape or L Shape blog post.

Spring is nearly upon us, and that means it’s a great time to start replacing your worn tiller tines. When shopping for tiller tines on AgristoreUSA, searching by your machine’s make and model can be the easiest way to find the correct tiller tine for your application. If you know your make or model of tiller, use the drop down menus on AgristoreUSA, or type the make or model into our search feature for a list of tiller blades by make.

If you don’t have access to the make or model of your machine, you can locate the correct tiller tine based on the tine’s dimensions. First, measure the space between the mounting holes, center line to center line. Type the dimension into our search feature for a list of tiller tines to fit your application. You will also want to verify the diameter of the mounting holes, and check the length and height of your blade for proper tiller tine clearance on your machine. If you have questions, please give us a call at 317-329-5080.

Tiller blades are manufactured in two basic shapes, see images below. C-shaped tines are ideal for working dense soil, such as clay, and L-shaped tines work best in less dense or sandy soil.

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When ordering tiller blades, be sure to order left hand and right hand tiller blades for your machine. We also recommend replacing your entire set of tiller blades in order to maintain proper balance, reduce wear, and extend the life of your tiller.

AgristoreUSA, stocks tiller tines for 32 tiller brands. We have tine for Agrator, Agric, Baltic, Befco, Breviglieri, Bush-Hog, Caroni, Celli, Douglas, Ford, Gearmore, Gill, Honda, Howard, John-Deere, King-Kutter, Kobashi, Kubota, Kuhn, Land-Pride, Long, Maletti, Maschio, Muratori, Northeast, Northwest, Panorama, Sicma, Southeast, Sovema, Taylor, and Terranova.

As always, if you can’t find what you need, give us a call at 317-329-5080. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you find what you need to get you tiller in top shape, quickly!

AgristoreUSA also carries replacement Tiller-Blade-Bolt-Kits. Recommended tiller blade bolt kits are also listed with each tiller blade.

Have a great spring!