Best Rototiller

All the information you need to know when looking to buy the best rototiller

Introduction
Reviews
FAQ
Introduction

Early, ancient civilizations realized that loose, flat soil, was easier to garden/till. This is where the rototiller comes into place. This mechanical solution to shoveling, digging, and back pain, is the preferred method of loosening soil, and having a fresh, even pasture, where to begin your gardening excavations on.

In addition to reducing the physical labor, rototillers are far more efficient. Depending on the tine depth, width, and whether you want the rototiller to remove weeds, there are a number of options from which you can choose when deciding on the best rototiller to invest in. Of course, your budget for this investment is also something you should consider before choosing a new rototiller.

Some are gas powered, others electric. Some use front-tilling, others are rear-tillers. Depending on the area you are tilling, the desired results, and of course how much physical labor you actually want to do, each individual is going to choose a different machine when purchasing their rototiller.

About Rototillers

A rototiller is basically a tool which is used to help level the soil, remove weeds, and cultivate the land which you plan on gardening on. In addition to doing this far faster than a shovel, and manual digging, it is also going to produce even results throughout.

By setting the tilling depth, the area you plan on covering, and the type of soil you are tilling, there are several configurations you can set with your rototiller. The front-tiller variety works similarly to a cultivator. For established beds, or removing/loosening soil in smaller areas, this might be the right choice.

A rear-tilling machine, on the other hand, are best when working on compact, harder soil beds. Not only do they loosen the sand easily, they have more power to dig deeper into the ground when cultivating or tilling larger areas of land. Vertical tillers are yet a third option. Unlike the counterparts which dig into the sand/dirt, these use vertical blades (aboveground), in order to till the soil.

FEATURES

Depth

Direction

Forward/reverse rotation

Cultivation/excavation

Power & Size

  1. Depth - How far into the ground can the blades get? And, when tilling, is it powerful enough to remove rocks, debris, and other small buildup below-ground, so you can truly level the soil? Depending on if you are doing weeding, and how much manual work you actually plan on doing, there are very powerful tillers from which you can choose when investing in this advanced gardening tool.
  2. Direction - Again, you can choose rear, front, or even vertical tillers. It truly depends on which direction you prefer working from, the type of soil, and hardness levels, and obviously whether there are surrounding plants/shrubs, you don’t want to damage. Blade direction will dictate which of these options you choose when deciding on which tiller is ideal for your gardening needs.
  3. Forward/reverse rotation - This is more in line with rear-tillers. You can actually choose the direction which the blades will work when tilling the soil. You can choose front, rear, or counter-directional spinning options. With clay, tougher soil, or even areas where there are small rocks or stones, this is a beneficial feature which will make your work much easier to complete, in a shorter period of time.
  4. Cultivation/excavation - Obviously, in some gardens, the ground is deeper in certain areas than in others. How deep can the tiller get below ground-level? This might be more important in commercial gardens, but it is still something you should consider when deciding which one to choose for your gardening needs.
  5. Power & Size - Of course, you want something fast, efficient, and powerful. But, bear in mind some of these machines are enormous. If you don’t have the strength, dexterity, and knowledge to use them, you can do more harm than good to your garden area. So, before you invest in the biggest, most expensive machine you can find, do your research to find the right fit for your gardening needs.
The Best Budget: Mantis 4-Cycle Tiller

This powerful tiller, designed by Honda, is a gas-powered rototiller. It has a 25 cc engine, which spins twice as fast as comparably sized tillers.

Some of the features of this product include:

  • Gas Powered, making it more efficient and powerful for larger jobs.
  • Lightweight, at only 24 pounds, making it highly mobile in larger garden areas.
  • A thin, 9’’ width, allows you to get into tight spaces, when tilling, loosening soil, and removing debris from your garden area.
Pros

The simple design, the rear-push tiller is efficient. It folds easily for simple storage when not in use. It comes with a 5-year warranty, on all parts, as well as on the motor. And, it is backed by the trusted Honda name, so you know it is a reliable machine.

Cons

It is a rear-push tiller, so it might not be as efficient for extremely large coverage areas. It is also thin, which might limit work on larger scales. A finger-controlled throttle can sometimes slow down the pace at which you are working, which might require a longer time-span to complete expansive jobs with the rototiller.

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The Cheapest Product: Fiskars

This manual rototiller is one which will obviously require you do the heavy lifting. With this being said, it has a deep pitch, allowing you to till deeper into the ground, and work with tight soil beds.

Some of the features of this product include:

  • Intended to break up soil while tilling.
  • Three heads makes it easier for you to till, or dig into the ground.
  • It has 19-gauge steel shafts, and a wooden handle, so it won’t break/bend like fiberglass tillers would.
Pros

Possibly the most notable benefit is the affordability. It has a wood-grip handle, so it won’t cause pain when working on larger areas. It features an extra large foot-bed, which allows you to dig deeper, without having to exert as much force as you would with smaller frames.

Cons

The most obvious and notable drawback is the manual labor. Other electric or gas-powered machines are easy to push, drive, and allow you to complete tilling in a fraction of the time. It is also limited in directional tilling, as the wider base won’t allow you to twist as much, once you are below-ground, and trying to loosen soil beds.

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Best of the Best: BCS Rear Tiller

This rear-push tiller, with a Honda motor, is intended to drive, and allow you to crush even the toughest beds and soil deposits. It will minimize the work you do, and allow you to finish gardening work in a matter of minutes, versus hours.

Some of the features of this product include:

  • A powerful, Honda-driven motor.
  • Simple execution, and ease of mobility for larger jobs.
  • he 340-cc engine, and 26’’ tiller base cover wider/broader areas.
Pros

If power is what you seek, you’ve got it here. Rear-tilling allows you to push and works in different directions and angles when tilling the soil. The all-gear transmission works similarly to a riding mower, so there is little to no learning curve when working with this tiller.

Cons

The price is obviously going to make this out of reach for most people who are looking for a gas-powered tiller. The size is bulky and can be difficult to work in tighter spaces or quarters. It is also extremely limited in smaller beds, or when working around twists/turns, in attempting to loosen the soil. 10 HP is sufficient for home, but possibly not powerful enough for some commercial job needs, which further limits these machines use for most people.

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Sun Joe Tiller

Affordability and ease of use are a couple major selling points here. It has a powerful motor, which can cultivate up to 16’’ depth, making it sufficient for most homeowners who need power gardening tools.

Some of the features of this product include:

  • A 12-amp motor and rugged design, so you don't have to worry about damaging it.
  • 6-curved tines are durable, and easy to dig into the ground with little effort.
  • 3-position wheel adjustment makes it extremely ergonomic and adaptable for anyone.
Pros

The low price-tag is a sure selling point with this power rototiller. It is easy to maneuver, digs deep, and is intended to easily loosen and level soil. It also comes with a full, two-year warranty, so you don’t have to worry about concerns with the durability of the machine. The motor and parts are all covered by the warranty on the rototiller.

Cons

The size is quite small in comparison to other tillers in this price bracket. It is also developed by a manufacturer which isn’t as well-known as other brands. Difficulty in turning tight angles might also limit mobility for certain users who want to work at a faster pace when using the rototiller for outdoor gardening jobs.

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Yard Machines

The rear-tiller is not only unique in design but also features a powerful motor to get larger tilling tasks completed in less time. A sturdy frame and well-built mobile design make it efficient when working on soil-beds.

Some of the features of this product include:

  • An ergonomic grip-base, makes tilling efficient and quick.
  • A 208-cc engine is powerful and efficient
  • 12-in, durable steel tines dig deeper and can move tough soil bases.
Pros

The obvious power of the motor is something which allows for quick and easy tilling in larger areas. It can be used in either commercial or residential setting. An 18-in tilling width and 6-adjustable tilling directions make this easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Cons

The price is higher than other products which are just a little less powerful than this engine. It is also extremely heavy, which might limit movement for some users, or make it tough to turn on tight angles. The wheels are also quite large, at 13-in. This can possibly lead to limited mobility, turning area, or reaching tight corners if you are working in a smaller garden area, and only need to loosen a small patch of soil.

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FAQ
  • 1. How much is a rototiller?
  • This will depend on the brand, power (gas or electric), size, and power. Further, rear versus front tillers are going to run different price ranges. Before investing in a new rototiller, it is best to compare the top rated models, and pricing, in order for you to find the best deal when you are ready to purchase a new rototiller for use in your garden.
  • 2. How is it powered?
  • Many are purely gas-powered. Others are electric, and some are a hybrid model. It depends on the brand and the type of rototiller you choose. It is best to compare several products, to ensure you find the best fit, for your gardening and tilling needs when working in your garden area.
  • 3. What does the tiller do?
  • If you want to mix soil, fertilizer, apply compost, or render soils, the rototiller is the tool you want to own. Basically, any tasks which require heavy-lifting, power, or mixing, can be performed by your rototiller.
  • 4. Does my rototiller require maintenance regularly?
  • Often, if used frequently, general maintenance or tune-ups might be necessary. This, however, should be done by a professional service technician. In the event you find it isn’t working as it did (when brand new), or isn’t producing as much power, you might want to have the rototiller serviced.
  • 5. What will I use my rototiller for?
  • It isn’t a necessity as much as a tool which will benefit those who don’t want to do manual labor. When gardening, there are certain areas of dirt, sand, or patches of grass, you simply can’t remove manually. A tiller will not only cut through these tough patches, but will level the soil, giving you a base foundation to work on when you are planning to plant, grow, and maintain your garden.
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