What to Consider When Buying a Garden Tiller

Soil amendments are much easier to add with a good garden tiller.

Using a garden tiller is hard work. Using a tiller that isn't right for the job is also difficult and painful. To save your arms and back, as well as money and time, choose a garden tiller with features that match the size and soil type of the area you need to prepare for planting.

Size

The size of the area you need to till is crucial in deciding what size garden tiller to buy. The larger the area, the more horsepower you need. Small areas, 250 square feet or smaller, need only small tillers with a two-cycle engine. The major advantages of a small tiller are maneuverability, light weight and ease of use. They can also till close to obstacles, like fences, trees and borders. Medium areas, like many homeowners will want to prepare, call for a medium-size tiller. A three- to five-horsepower tiller is suitable for a lot up to about an acre. They can till small vegetable gardens in addition to preparing soil for landscaping or lawn seeding. Tillers ideal for homeowners with acreage who do not want a commercial model have between eight and 20 horsepower. These tillers are powerful but can still be used in smaller areas if needed.

Soil Type and Needs

In addition to the size of the area to be prepared, soil type is an important consideration. If the soil has never been worked and is hard, compact, rocky and dense, consider a tiller with more horsepower. If the soil is loose, airy and has previously been worked, a garden tiller with less horsepower will do the job. The depth you wish to work with the tiller should also be taken into account. If you need to work amendments deep into the soil or are sowing plants with deep roots, tillers with more horsepower will let you dig deeper into the earth with less effort.

Tines

Tine placement and rotation make a big difference in how hard you have to work to use the tiller you choose. Most tiller models have rear tines, where the tines are placed behind the engine. Rear tine tillers are easier to use and can take much tighter turns, making them easier to use in tight spots. They are also more powerful in soil that hasn't been previously worked. Front tine models are usually less expensive and lighter. They are good for small jobs and loose soil. Standard tine rotation is forward, which helps pull the rototiller forward as you work. Some models, however, have reverse rotation. These tillers are better at breaking up chunks of earth, but can be dangerous in hand-held models since they are known to leap backward if they hit an obstacle.

Quality

As with any garden tool, high quality materials and craftsmanship make a tiller easier to use and maintain. Well-built tillers also last much longer than inexpensive counterparts. If you only use the tiller sporadically, a less expensive, lower-quality tiller may make sense, but for regular use, a high quality tiller that costs a bit more is the better investment in the long run. Look for solid metal parts, heavy tines that turn easily, padded handles and starters, clutches and gears that require little effort to use. The tiller should feel solid and strong. If it shakes, wobbles or the connections feel loose, it is not likely to hold up long under heavy use.

References

• Louisiana State University AgCenter; Selecting a Rotary Garden Tiller
• Bluegrass Gardens; Garden Tillers
• Lonnie's Bulk Seeds; Garden Tillers or Garden Tractors