Best Garden Tiller Review

Best Garden Tiller Reviews for Homeowners

A freshly tilled garden is one of the most satisfying sights, especially with the prospect of blooming roses and fresh daisies after a while. The tiller you use will determine the kind of garden that will emerge, therefore, you have to make a careful choice to find the best garden tiller of 2018 for your particular needs. In this roundup review, we'll show you what to look for when shopping for garden tillers, and then we'll review some of the best garden tillers on the market.

Choosing a Garden Tiller

Take the following into account when picking a tiller:

The Type of Tiller You Prefer: There are two main types; gas and electric, the choice of which will depend on your requirements. Electric tillers are convenient for small gardens, are easy to start, and can be maintained easily. Gas-powered cultivators are more powerful and are recommended where you want to break ground on a hard surface. The advantage of the latter is that you are not tied to an electric cord when tilling, making movement much easier. However, they need more strength to be pushed.

Hand-powered tillers are less common because they require more physical exertion than gas and electric alternatives. Here, the tines are positioned at the end of a metal shaft in a vertical position, and their movement is dependent on how you work it. They are recommended for weeding as you have full control of its movement.

Tine Position and Length: The tines can be positioned either at the front or at the rear and may have varying lengths. Longer tines are recommended where the tillage required is deep.

The best rear tine tiller is one that is powerful enough to cut deep into the soil, especially where the ground is hard. On the other hand, front tillers are used where the soil is loose, hence ideal for gardeners who are regularly tilling. Front tillers are easier to push than rear ones.

Price and Maintenance: Due to the power they pack, gas tillers are more expensive, but they are harder to maintain. Starting them requires that you pull a cord, which might be exerting. Electric tillers are cheaper, and they require less maintenance as all you are required to do is flip a switch when starting them. However, they should be used where you can access power using an extension cable.

Do You Need a Garden Tiller?

If you have been asking yourself this question, the benefits below might help you make the choice to buy a garden tiller:

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    When weeding, the tiller reaches deep to the roots of the weeds, ensuring that they don't grow again, especially where the soil is turned at least twice a year
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    If you are adding organic matter and fertilizer to the soil while weeding, a better balance is acquired for the soil. The organic matter or fertilizer will be better distributed than when you use your hand or hoe to spread the fertilizer.
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    With a tiller, the soil is spread out evenly, and this makes planting much easier
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    When tilling, you turn the soil and allow for air to reach deep into the ground. Aeration of the soil allows air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of the plants easily, resulting in a beautiful and bountiful garden
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    When compared to rototillers, small tillers are easier to store. They can be easily hanged on a wall and don't require much space to store. They will also ensure that the quality of its work is not compromised.

Using a Tiller

For the optimum performance of the tiller, it is recommended that you till when the soil is semi-dry. This is maybe a day or two after it has rained. A dry ground might be difficult to till while wet soil may form clumps that might be difficult to break when dry.

The manufacturer's instructions should be followed to the letter and protective boots, eye protection, or any other recommended gear should be worn. When tilling:

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    Remove from the ground any debris, rocks, sticks, and thick and long weeds that may get stuck in the rotors. Leave the smaller weeds.
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    Set the appropriate depth on the tiller, for hard and compacted ground, use a shallow setting. For soil that is loose, start on a medium setting.
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    Gently push the tiller along the ground while making parallel crosses across the garden. Depending on the manufacturer's instructions, you can either overlap in straight passes or use a recommended pattern.
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    After tilling the entire garden, set the tiller to its deepest setting then move it across the ground. Let the tiller do all the work.
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    Do any necessary adjustments along the length and width of the garden and continue tilling until the organic matter has been entirely mixed into the soil.

This YouTube video is a tutorial that shows how to use a tiller for your better understanding.

Best Garden Tiller of 2018 Reviews

At the top of the review of the best tillers & cultivators is this electric machine with an instant switch button and a 540-watt 

The tiller weighs 21 pounds, has a 9-inch tilling width and a 10-inch tilling depth. It is foldable and its tines are reversible for shallow cultivation. This product comes with a warranty of 5 years.

PROS

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    Its 540-watt motor is quite powerful, making it one of the best electric tillers
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    The weight and size of the tiller, and the fact that it is foldable make it easy to store as it requires little space. Moreover, these properties make it easier to navigate in a garden.
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    Unlike other devices, assembling this tiller is easy and requires no special skills
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    As it is an electric tiller, it is quiet, hence you don't have to worry about noise complaints
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    Starting the cultivator is easy, as all you need to do is turn a switch

CONS

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    You need a powerful extension cord when using this tiller as the wrong one might damage it. Moreover, being tied to the extension cord may limit your movements around the garden.
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    This product is the best tiller cultivator for small gardens only. The 10-inch width is insufficient for larger ones.

In this small garden tillers reviews, the Husqvarna Front Tine Tiller takes its place due to its powerful 208cc Briggs and Stanton engine and rotors.

Unlike the Mantis, this machine has adjustable tilling widths that range from 12 to 24 to 26 inches. Its tines are situated at the front, and the tiller weighs about 100 pounds.

PROS

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    The manufacturer, Husqvarna, is one of the most respected brands in tools, assuring the quality of this tiller
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    Its adjustable width makes it ideal for covering more ground without compromising on the ease of movement​​​​
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    The adjustable depth of this tiller makes it possible for you to make a deeper or shallower tillage, depending on the ground​​​​
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    You get a 2-year warranty on the tiller
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    This machine comes with a drag bar and counterweight, which helps it balance in different working conditions

CONS

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    The tiller is a bit costly
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    It weighs 100 pounds, which is quite heavy, hence requiring a lot of effort during use

The two-cycle viper engine and powerful tines make Earthquake Mini Cultivator the best small gas tiller in this review.

Its engine is powered by gas and it has an adjustable drag stake. The tilling width of the machine is either 6 or 10 inches while the depth is 8 inches.

PROS

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    Because it is powered using gasoline, movement with the tiller is easier as you are not attached to an extension cable. Moreover, the machine is more powerful than any electric counterparts
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    Assembling it is simple and requires no extra tools. All you need to do is follow the instructions manual carefully
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    Apart from tilling the garden, this machine also aerates the soil, gets rid of weeds, and can be used to apply fertilizer
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    It cuts to only 6 inches in depth and 10 inches in width, a property that makes it ideal for use in small gardens. The adjustable drag makes it possible to change the depths of tilling

CONS

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    The engine is noisy while in use, and this may be a nuisance to your neighbors
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    As the machine ages, it may become harder to pull the cord used to start it

The Earthwise Electric Tiller also makes it to this review of the best tiller for the money spent due to its light weight and ease of use.


It comes with 6 adjustable tines, an 8-inch working depth, and an adjustable width of between 11 to 16 inches. This design also includes an ergonomic handle, and the tiller will also require assembling.

As long as its battery is charged, your chainsaw will operate adequately. Battery-powered chainsaws are usually not the best for commercial purposes, but can be spectacular for those who own large yards with few power outlets.

PROS

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    It has all the advantages associated with an electric tiller, including a quiet engine, easy starting mechanism, and little maintenance
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    The adjustable width gives it an easy maneuverability while ensuring that its performance is not compromised
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    This machine is also lightweight, making it easy to operate and store as it can easily be hung on a wall
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    The product comes with a 2-year warranty

CONS

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    The fact that it needs to be attached to a power extension cable makes it difficult for you to move around easily while tilling

Another item on the garden tiller reviews is the 12-Amp Sun Joe Tiller. This machine can cultivate to a width of 16 inches and a depth of 8 inches. It weighs about 27 pounds and measures 17 × 43 × 55 inches, making it easy to transport. 

As it is electric, it is easy to start and maintain. Assembling is also straightforward and requires no tools or special skills. This tiller is also foldable, making it easy to store and move around. You can simply hang it on a wall in the shed. 

The lack of noise while in use makes this one of the best rear tillers. You will require an extension cord to operate it, and this restricts your movements; whatsmore, if the cord isn’t long enough, it may tangle with the tines, which is risky and can be costly.

PROS

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    Easy to operate
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    Low maintenance required
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    Easy assembly and storage
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    Easy to move around
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    Ideal for use in small to medium-sized gardens
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    Relatively quiet

CONS

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    Requires an electrical extension cord

CONCLUSION

The choice of a garden tiller is important as it determines the future state of your garden. In this vertical tine tiller reviews, factors like the length and width of tines and type, price, and maintenance of cultivators have been discussed. Taking all these into account, Mantis 7250 Corded Electrical Tiller/Cultivator emerges as the best in the rear tine tiller reviews.

This is because of its powerful engine, light weight, easy maintenance, and ease of storage, among other features. Besides, compared to other products like Husqvarna, this tiller is quite affordable, and its durability gives you value for your money in the long-run. It is ideal for small gardeners.