Buying a Tiller? Here's What to Look For

For any garden too big to manually loosen the soil with a digging fork &#; which, unless you relish hours and hours of back-breaking work, means any garden consisting of more than a couple four-by-eight-foot beds &#; a tiller is an essential tool for creating the loose, fluffy soil that annual vegetables thrive in. But the variety of options can be daunting. Before you head to your local equipment dealer, familiarize yourself with the basics so you&#;re not sold something that you don&#;t need.

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If you are lucky enough to score a good deal on a tiller of your own, don&#;t be so quick to pack your new purchase in the back of the shed until next spring &#; you&#;ll be needing it just a few months. Fall is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for spring planting, so keep it accessible. (It&#;s better to till in compost early and let the microbes do their magic for a few months before planting &#; and it is also the main window for sowing cover crops, for which the soil needs light tillage in preparation.)

Types of Tillers

Confused by all the tiller jargon? Here are the basics.

Cultivator: These mini-tillers are narrow enough to pass between rows of vegetables to &#;cultivate&#; the weeds that emerge after a crop is planted &#; meaning dig them out &#; without disturbing the roots of the crop. Besides removing weeds, cultivators are good at loosening the surface of the soil and mixing in compost in preparation for planting. They are not the tool, however, for tilling up hard earth that has never been tilled before.

• Garden Size: <500 square feet
• Tilling Width: 6&#;-16&#;
• Tilling Depth: 3&#;-6&#;
• Price: $100-$300

Front-Tine Tiller: These light-duty tillers, in which the tines (the blades that churn up the earth) are at the front of the machine, are larger and more powerful than cultivators. They are an affordable, all-purpose option for medium-sized gardens. The turning tines help to propel the machine forward, but it takes a fair amount of upper body strength to operate them, and they are tiring to use for long periods or in soil that is hard, rocky, or full of roots.

• Garden Size: 500-5,000 square feet
• Tilling Width: 12&#;-24&#;
• Tilling Depth: 6&#;-8&#;
• Price: $300-$600

Rear-Tine Tiller: These heavy-duty tillers have blades at the back and wheels at the front. More importantly, the wheels are typically powered by the engine, so they are easier to operate for long periods compared to front-tine tillers. On the other hand, the machines themselves are much heavier and larger, so it still takes plenty of strength to maneuver them. These tillers are the best option for breaking ground in heavy clay soil that has never been tilled before, or where the soil is full of roots and rocks. High-end rear-tine tillers, while pricey, are still cheaper than a tractor, so they are often employed by small sale market gardeners whose plot (and income) are not big enough to justify a larger investment. Gardeners with small plots often rent a rear-tine tiller to work the ground for the first time, and then buy a cheaper front-tine tiller to maintain friable soil on an annual basis.

• Garden Size: 5,000-10,000 square feet
• Tilling Width: 16&#;-36&#;
• Tilling Depth: 8&#;-10&#;
• Price: $600-$6,000

Mid-Tine Tiller: These are a variation of front-tine tillers where the tines are directly under the engine. The weight of the engine helps push the tines into the earth, while widely-spaced wheels on either side provide added stability. Mid-tine tillers are used for the same purposes as front-tine models, but they require significantly less strength to operate.

• Garden Size: 500-5,000 square feet
• Tilling Width: 12&#;-24&#;
• Tilling Depth: 6&#;-8&#;
• Price: $400-$800

Types of Tines

There are three main types of tines. Most tillers, especially the more expensive models, are designed to allow you change from one to the other depending on soil conditions. Sometimes it&#;s necessary to take a pass through the soil with each type, in succession.

Bolo: These curved or L-shaped blades are what comes standard on most models. They are best suited when deep tilling is desired and where rocks, vegetation, and roots are minimal.

Slasher: This is the best choice for cutting through roots and heavy vegetation. They are designed to prevent such debris from wrapping around the tines and becoming stuck, which is a common complaint with bolo tines.

Pick and Chisel: These are used to break up hard, rocky ground.

Tiller Maintenance Considerations

Some small cultivators are powered with an electrical cord, rather than a gas engine, eliminating much of the noise &#; and all of the exhaust. Some even operate with a rechargeable battery, the same as a power tool. There is virtually no maintenance involved in electric cultivators.

Gas engines are smelly, dirty, and require regular maintenance, such as oil changes and spark plug replacement. You&#;ll also need to drain the gas in winter or add a fuel stabilizer to keep it fresh for use again in spring. Smaller, front-tine tillers employ two-cycle engines, which run on a mix of gasoline and engine oil, while all rear-tine and larger front-tine models have four-cycle engines that run on straight gas. The bigger the engine, the more expensive and complex the maintenance becomes.

The Bells and Whistles

There are a variety of special features and add-ons that can make a tiller easier to use, and useful for a variety of tasks.

Adjustable Tilling Depth: One of the most basic features, this is essentially an adjustable bar at the rear of the tiller that controls how deep the tines can reach.

Adjustable Tine Width: Some models allow you to slide the tines closer together or farther apart for cultivating in rows of various widths.

Collapsible Handle: Most common on front-tine tillers, this feature makes it easier to fit a tiller in the back of a car or in a small storage space.

Counter-Rotating Tines: Some rear-tine tillers are designed so the tines spin in reverse as the wheels spin forward, creating additional traction and allowing you to till deeper, even in heavy soils.

Dual-Rotating Tines: High-end rear-tine tillers can switch back and forth between forward and reverse tine rotation.

Reverse Gear: This feature pertains not to the tines, but to the wheels of a rear-tine tiller. Being able to drive the machine in reverse makes it more maneuverable in tight spots and much less strenuous on the user.

Electric Start: Gas tiller engines are typically started with a pullcord, just like a lawnmower. Models with this feature start with the push of a button, however.

Attachments: Numerous gadgets are available to convert tillers to other uses, including snowblowers for winter maintenance and edgers and dethatchers for lawn maintenance. High-end rear-tine tillers typically include a PTO shaft, an all-purpose receptacle that can power a large number of implements, much like a tractor.

The Ultimate Rotary Tiller Guide 

Are you considering purchasing a new rotary tiller for your tractor? If so, choosing the right tiller is essential for optimal performance and longevity on various soil conditions.

In order to make the best decision, a number of things need to be considered before making the purchase.

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What is a Rotary Tiller?

Tilling is an essential practice in gardening, landscaping, and farming to break up the soil, allowing for better aeration and water flow.  Rotary Tillers are a tool used to convert hard dirt and soil into usable seedbed by churning the earth until the ground is fine enough for planting. 

Depending on the size of the job, rotary tillers range in size and operating requirements.  The smallest ones can be pushed from behind and operate on two wheels.  Large scale jobs such as landscaping and construction projects often require more robust capabilities and power provided by the PTO shaft on small, mid-sized, and heavy-duty tractors.

Drawing from the power provided by your Tractor&#;s PTO, the rotating shaft of the tiller digs into the dirt using a set of curved blades (tines) to condition the earth.  The tilling depth can be adjusted, however, it&#;s generally accepted that tilling more than six inches is unnecessary.

The width of the tiller should be no less than the outer width of your tractor tires.  This is to ensure an even till with no gaps.  As a best practice, make sure to overlap the tilled dirt with each pass.

Howse 6&#;/72&#; Rotary 3pt Tiller John Deere,Kubota,Ford..

Best time of year for tilling?

Spring is typically when most people begin tilling for the coming season, just in time to begin planting the next year&#;s harvest.  If you haven&#;t tilled the area before, it&#;s recommended to prime the area first by plowing the soil in the previous fall and allowing it to sit through the winter.  So plan ahead! 

Whether or not you&#;ve tilled the area previously, you&#;ll want to make sure not to rush the first or second pass.  Otherwise, you will not condition the soil sufficiently enough for the seeds to grow. 

Once the dirt has loosened, you may increase tilling depth and speed, continuing to make passes until the soil has been conditioned to your desired depth of 4 &#; 6 inches and removing all remaining clods of thick dirt.

Front-tine, Rear-tine or Tractor Mounted?

Front-tine Rotary Tillers are most commonly used for smaller jobs or garden maintenance.  They are relatively easy to operate and tend to remain under 10 hp capacity.  A major benefit of front-tine tillers is the ease in which they are able to access tight areas with relative accuracy. 

Earthquake Front and Rear Tine Tillers from Tyson mowers

Rear-tine tillers are typically larger than the front-tine variety but still suited for smaller-scale jobs.  Due to the nature of being operated from the rear, these machines are less versatile than their front-tine brethren.  For example, you will need to keep a greater distance from buildings, cement, etc. but will be able to cover more ground in less time.

Best Rear Tine Tiller in (For Soil, Small & Large Gardens )

Large and professional scale jobs are best suited for tractor-mounted (rear tine) rotary tillers.  In many cases, a standard duty model can be suitable for ongoing estate maintenance and residential grade tilling while still meeting the demands of large jobs.  These models vary in hp capacity, with heavy-duty models ranging between 25 &#; 60 hp and a tilling width as wide as 80 inches.

Tiller Rotation: Forward or Reverse?&#;

Forward-rotation tillers are an excellent choice for garden spaces and soil that is well-aerated in addition to working conditions where the soil is either rocky or contains a high density of clay.

The forward-till method does not bury the residue. In fact, it leaves large clods close to the surface, requiring additional passes to get the expected results.

The Reverse-till method tends to prepare the seedbed more effectively than forward-till and is often the first choice for large scale jobs. Reverse tilling buries both the residue and huge clods of dirt along with the deposition of fines on the top. Reverse-till models work extraordinarily well in dry and hard soil.

Rotary Tiller: Gear or Chain?&#;

In three-point rotary tillers, there are two drive options: chain or gear. As you would expect, both have their pros & cons. Each of these tillers supports rotor speeds close to 200 revolutions per minute, which is good to till in the 2-mph range. Moreover, they offer end-mounted drive systems that can be maintained easily.

Gear-drive rotary tillers cause increased torque to the ground, which makes them suitable for virgin soil and tend to be heavier than chain-driven models.

Another thing that has to be considered is the repair. Both chains and gears are durable. Replacing a broken chain is typically a more straightforward process than fixing gear related malfunctions.

Tines: Four or Six?

Rotary Tiller Tines

The total number of tines per flange is an important thing to consider. Four or six in total, the number of tines varies according to the manufacturer & model and must be taken into account when it comes to purchasing the tiller.  Horsepower increases with the number of tines. Six tines per flange tiller need 23% additional horsepower as compared to four tine-tine models.

Additionally, more tines mean more weight. Hence, it is good to be specific that the tractor is able to lift the number of tines easily, taking into account Pto horsepower required to operate.

Benefits of machine tilling

Heavy Duty Rotary Tiller

Using the right tiller is an effective way to decrease the amount of time and effort it takes to prep the soil while providing superior results.  In turn, the job is made to be more cost-efficient providing for greater profit opportunities for professionals while decreasing maintenance costs for owner/operators.

Rotary tillers also provide benefits is weed removal in areas where chemicals cannot be used, either due to established plant growth or regulatory constraints.  This practice often applied to areas affected by heavy rainfall or irrigation to re-condition crusted mud and dirt.    

Safety Precautions

Before each use always check fluid levels and look for anything that appears to be loose.  Give all mechanical components a tap or nudge for stability and tighten the bolts regularly as a matter of precaution.

Rotary Tiller Maintenance

Never attempt to operate unless properly seated in the operating position.  Ensure safety equipment is properly installed and positioned accordingly. 

When tilling on uneven ground be cautious of rollover potential.  Keep children and animals at a safe distance.

Avoid objects such as rocks and other foreign material in the area you are tilling.  Never attempt to adjust the tines or remove debris while the machine is running. 

Additional Considerations

&#; Availability of spare parts and services

&#; Warranty of parts the equipment, length of coverage, and who will perform the repairs

&#; Required number of passes to reach the expected tilling depth on three-point tillers

&#; Bearings and other moving parts should be cleaned and lubricated at fixed intervals

&#; Maintenance schedule from manufacturer&#;s side has to be followed

&#; Prior to use gearboxes must be checked

&#; Pivot points and drivelines must be geared before and after use

&#; Offset capability is a good feature to consider

Victory Tractor offers a variety of Rotary Tillers to suit your needs. Give us a call any time &#; we&#;re always happy to answer any questions to help make the right decision.

Victory Tractor Implements is proud to offer a wide range of products including flail mowers, wood chippers, rotary tillers, and backhoes, all designed to be connected directly to your tractor&#;s PTO for maximum efficiency and performance. In addition, we also offer winter equipment such as snow plows and snow blowers, designed for use with skid steers.

We source all of our equipment directly from the manufacturer and pass the savings on to our customers.  As always, the team is standing by to answer any questions to assist with your decision.  Victory support can be reached directly at (562) 534- or

Proud supporters of the FFA&#;