Gravely, Ariens, BCS, Bolens, Bungartz, Frazer & Graham-Paige, Howard Rotavator, Merry Tiller,   Milwaukee Equipment (M-E), Rototiller, Rototiller Inc, Roto-Hoe, SIMAR, Seaman

Antique Rotary Tillers "ROTOTILLERS"
by Bob Due

Invention & History:
The Romaine-Crosskill Digger was one of the first rotary tillers.  It was built in 1857.  Rotary tillage as we know it today was invented by Dr. Konrad von Meyenberg of Basel, Switzerland in 1910.

European Tillers:
Tillers were manufactured in France, Germany, Denmark, England & Switzerland.  In 1930 the Siemens boden frasen of Germany and the Danish Tillavator were imported into the USA by The Rototiller Company of New York City.  The first Simar  tillers of Switzerland were imported in 1932 by The Rototiller Company.  The Rototiller was patterned after the Simar.  Howard Rotavator of England sold walk-behind tillers in the USA during the '50s and '60s.

American Tillers:
The major players in this market were:
Rototiller Inc. (They were the start of what is now Troy-Bilt)
Ariens
Bolens
Frazer Farm Equipment Company,  Frazer & Graham-Paige Rototillers
M-E (Milwaukee-Equipment) Sold to Bolens about 1953.

Parts for the Frazer and Graham-Paige Rototillers are now available from: Michael Blaugher 124 East Foster
Parkway, Fort Wayne, IN 46806-1730 Ph: (260) 744-1020 Email: airmuseums@aol.com  Website:
www.aircraftmuseums.com

Below I have put together selected images of all the brands of tractors and equipment that I collect and am interested in.  As time permits more detail will be added on other pages for each one of these brands.  I know this is a big file and will take a while to load but it should be worth it if you are into tillers.  If you have any questions or comments please direct them to me at my email:  rototiller2@yahoo.com



This page was last updated on: March 16, 2010