Man invented the wheel so he could use a roto tiller to work
his garden. How else could he put down that blister-causing,
backbreaking hoe?
Now that the wheel and roto tillers have been around for a
while, there are choices to make. What's the best tiller to
use in the garden? A mini tiller? Front tine? Rear tine? And
what attachments do you need?
Let's start with the smallest yet "hottest" tillers. Mini
tillers are 20- to 30-pound dynamos that are tremendously
versatile. Ideal for cultivating small gardens, raised beds
and confined spaces, minis come with several attachments.
For instance, mini tiller big shot Mantis offers these:
planter/furrower, border/edger, lawn aerator, lawn
dethatcher and crevice cleaner.
Minis come with 2-cycle engines for which you have to mix
gasoline and oil. Or you can get them with more convenient
4-cycle engines, which use unleaded gasoline. Powers range
from 1 to 2 hp.
Front tine tillers (Honda uses the term mid-tine) are
popular middle-of-the-road workhorses. They are less
expensive and lighter than rear tine tillers. And they do a
good job of breaking new soil, cultivating and, with
attachments, furrowing.
As their name implies, the tines are forward on front tine
tillers, usually right under the motor. The tines pull the
tiller through the garden, so the operator uses them to
steer. That can be a good thing because you can till
accurately that way. But it's a problem if the tiller hits
hard soil and pulls you across the garden out of control.
Rear tine tillers are the big boys of the tiller world.
Because they are self-propelled, an operator can work more
area with less physical effort.
Depth control is easier with rear tines. Most models have
more than one gear so you can work at a pace that is
comfortable and appropriate for the job. Some models have
three forward gears and reverse. And because rear tines
drive themselves, you can guide them while standing to the
side, out of freshly tilled soil.
Of course, these guys cost much more than minis or front
tines and don't suit small spaces.
Cool Features
Counter-rotating tines. Some rear tine models have tines that rotate backward to mix the soil
more thoroughly. To make quick work of breaking new ground, Honda's FR750 offers four outside
tines that turn forward while four inside tines
turn in reverse.
Honda offers side disks on some of its mid-tine models to serve as guides and to prevent throwing dirt and debris into neighboring rows.
Folding handles on several minis make them even more compact for storage.
Adjustable-height handles are important. If the tiller handle is too high or too low for you, back
pain and shoulder aches will follow.
Depth guides can make any tiller more precise.
Transport wheels are important for both mini and front tine models.
Interchangeable tines let you pick the right tine
for the chore.
Some tillers come with adjustable tilling widths,
a handy feature when you have different row widths.
Bumpers can protect the front of a tiller from
hard objects.
A few tillers have electric start.
Reverse is an important gear for rear-tine tillers.
Selling Points
Minis:
Smallest, most versatile tillers
1 to 1.5 hp
20 to 30 pounds
Ideal for small gardens and raised beds
Many attachments
$250 to $350
Front tine (or mid-tine):
In-between size units
5 to 6 hp
50 to 120 pounds
Perfect for medium-sized gardens
$500 to $750-plus
Rear tine:
Largest units
5 to 10 hp
200 to 300 pounds
Good for large gardens, commercial applications
$800 to $2,000