I've been wanting to get one of the old Gravely mowers with the sulkey, brush cutter, tiller and PTO rotary cultivator, etc for a while now.

Anyone have one?
Is the rotary tiller worth a darn?
What's the best model?

Basically I've got over a half acre that's wooded on a creek that I want to clean up regularly. Would like to jsut mow down small saplings and keep a path mowed to the creek.

We also want to put in a garden, and thought the tiller option would come in handy.

**And if it's worth it, I was thinking it might be good for some small food plots on the lease, assuming it's got enough HP and the rotary plow/cultivator is any good.

Thanks!

I assume this is what you're talking about for others:

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/grd/5745824797.html

(In Iowa)

Yep! That's it that one looks like a deal too bad it's Iowa

If it has a sulky and all the parts, then I'd say that's cool. But I've used tiller for 20 years, some front tines, some rear tines. My current one is a troy bit with an 11 hp motor. It's fine, but it's a ***** to break new ground.

My point is that I think the gravely is cool if it's complete...as a nostalgic item. There are better tools to cut grass and the next tiller I own will be 6' wide and run off od a 55hp pto. Lol.

I do like my troy bilts. I like running and restoring them.

The old Gravelys are great. I have two. One needs a bit of work. You would want to get the rotary plow with the tiller. The tiller is great once the soil had been broken up, but the rotary plow is used to initially turn the soil. I use the plow to break up the soil, then the cultivator to smooth it out. Then a once or twice I run the cultivator to knock down grass and weeds between the rows. These are great for preparing and caring for relatively small gardens, for example I have a small garden that is about 100 ft x 50 ft.

The 30" brush hog will cut almost anything that it can run over. I use it to mow, but it does not have a clean cut. It should be ideal for clearing access, cutting saplings, etc. as you describe.

The original L (6 HP) or the C (7.6 Super Covertable) do not have the high HP rating, but they are built for torque. These should work fine for what you describe. 'Newer' models have other engines. A 10HP or 12HP Kohler model would also work.

Check Craig's list. Some come up for sale in the San Antonio area. There is a guy near Tulsa and a guy near Tuscaloosa who repair these old beasts and may have some for sale. Unfortunately most are sold in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

You can also check: http://gravelytractorclub.org

I inherited one from my father-inlaw, 1961 model cast iron beast also had tiller and brush hog.
They were built to cut Kentucky Blue grass not St.Agustine.
Very under powered 6HP would not recommend it other than for antique value.