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This article reviews the best tillers for garden available in the current market. You are going to get the essential information and ideas to make your purchase decision. With the information, choosing your best tiller or cultivator for your garden will be easy.
It is a lot of hard work to get ready soil of your garden if you try to do this by hand. In this situation, a garden tiller can assist you in preparing your soil for the garden. We are here to help to buy the best tiller your garden.
Considering the type of soil and the size of your garden, you have to find out the best tiller for your garden. Some tillers are suitable for ample space, and some are useful for tilling hard-packed dirt. If you go shopping, you will find the different types of tillers in shops like battery-powered, electric corded, gasoline-powered, etc. Each tiller has it’s own merits and limitations. You have to emphasize to compare your options and choose intelligently. Have a tour to know all about the garden tillers with functions here.
Table of Contents
The Best Tillers for Garden-Electric Tillers:
Electric Powered: Electric powered tillers just require you to plug it in and move. And you can move as far as the cord allows you to. Learn how to use an electric tiller.
Why electric garden tillers:
- They are very quiet.
- Great for small gardens.
- Low maintenance.
- Environmentally friendly
Some of the best available electric garden tillers are discussed here. We believe the list will help you decide wisely.
1. Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator.
Brand Name: Sun Joe.
- Warranty for two years.
- Motor: 13.5, Amp. It plows up to 16 inches deep (wide x 8 inches deep). It’s powerful.
- It lasts long with six steel angled tines. It performs the highest.
- It has a folding system of the handle. Suitable to storage it.
Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller is the most important and best tiller in the cultivation industry. Now a day, this machine got goodwill itself in top-line position by providing the best performances.
Sun Joe TJ604E has introduced the best way to get dirty from the soil with this machine. It has a 13.5 Amp powerful motor that crushes the dirt naturally in the ground. You are sure to get better aeration. This tiller covers 16 inches by 8 inches. You can develop the hardest lawn and yard with less pressure. It has rear-wheel with three-positions and easy to adjustable with height.
If you are looking forward to a quality tiller or cultivator for preparing the soil, you can have a look at Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller. It offers two years warranty to you it’s customers.
Product Information:
- Product Dimensions: 55 x 43 x 43 inches.
- Item Weight: 27.1 Ibs.
- Shipping Weight: 33 Ibs.
- Manufacturer: Snow Joe.
- ASIN: B01DTIC79Q.
- Model No.: TJ604E.
- Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Pros:
- It has electric motor 13.5 Amp.
- Weight 27.1 Ibs.
- Tilling width 16 inches.
- Tilling depth 8 inches.
- It has rear wheels easy to adjustable with height.
- Start with push-button.
- Have six steel angled tines.
- Two years full warranty.
- Durable.
- Folding system of the handle is for secure storage.
- Need no gas or oil.
Cons:
- Need a power source.
- Light-weight. May not work as deep as you need.
Contact:
Snow Joe + Sun Joe customer support.
Number: 1-866-9563 for assistance.
2. Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12 AMP Electric Tiller/Cultivator.
Brand Name: Sun Joe.
- Motor: 12 Amp. Plows up to 16 inches (wide 16 x 8 inch deep). It’s powerful.
- It lasts long. It has six steel angled tines and performs the highest performance.
- It has a folding system of the handle to store it conveniently.
- Three-position of wheel adjustment system.
Sun Joe TJ603E Electric Garden Tiller is the most important and best tiller in the cultivation industry. Now a day, this machine got goodwill itself in top-line position by providing the best performances.
Sun Joe TJ603E has introduced the best way to get dirty from the soil with this machine. It has a 13.5 Amp powerful motor that crushes the dirt naturally in the land. sure to get better aeration. This tiller covers 16 inches by 8 inches. It improves the hard lawn and yard with ease. It has rear-wheel with three-positions and easy to adjustable with height.
If you are looking forward to a quality tiller or cultivator for preparing the soil, you can have a look at Sun Joe TJ603E Electric Garden Tiller. It offers two years warranty for its customers.
Product Information:
- Dimensions of the Product: 55 x 43 x 17 inches.
- Item Weight: 27.1 Ibs.
- Shipping Weight: 33.4 Ibs.
- Manufacturer: Snow Joe.
- ASIN: B00V6IEVXM.
- Model No.: TJ603E.
- Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Pros:
- It has electric motor 12 Amp.
- Weight 27.1 Ibs.
- Tilling width 16 inches.
- Tilling depth 8 inches.
- It has rear wheels easy to adjustable with height.
- Start with push-button.
- Have six steel angled tines.
- Durable.
- Folding system of the handle is for secure storage.
- Need no gas or oil.
- Two years full warranty.
Cons:
- Need a power source.
- Light-weight.
Contact:
Snow Joe + Sun Joe customer support.
Number: 1-866-9563 for assistance.
3. Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5 Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator.
Brand Name: Earthwise.
- Motor: 8.5 Amp for better power.
- Durable.
- It is for small to medium size garden and flower bed.
- Works for weed control.
- Four durable steel tines.
- Comfortable operation.
- Convenient to store.
- Slim and light-weight.
- Easy start.
Earthwise TC70001 Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator is the most popular tiller among many tillers in the present market since 1895. This product has designs with an earth-friendly and non-carbon footprint. It has power on and power off button. To start it, press the button and pull the lever. The tiller will be powered off if once the lever is let go.
It doesn’t have inconvenience like fume, start-up hassle, spark plugs to the foul, engine to clog up, etc. It is a full quality product that is good for the environment as well as your garden. It has four durable steel tines. It cultivates up to area 11 inches wide and 8 inches deep. It is designed with light-weight and works naturally and also easy to store. There is another merit of it that is a single lever switch starts every time.
Earthwise TC70001 Corded Electric Tiller has a sturdy 8.5 Amp motor and cord retention hook for securing extension cord during use. This tiller has a rear-wheel for smooth and comfortable transport. After all, it doesn’t require any oil or gas to run it and even though any regular maintenance, as it has an electric cord.
Product Information:
- Item Weight: 27.4 Ibs.
- Shipping Weight: 28 Ibs.
- Manufacturer: Earthwise.
- ASIN: B004H4x6Z6.
- Model No. : TC70001.
- Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Pros:
- It has an electric motor, 8.5 Amp.
- Weight 2.2 Ibs.
- Tilling width 11 inches.
- Tilling depth 8 inches.
- Start with push-button.
- Have four steel angled tines.
- Durable.
- Easy storage.
- Need no gas or oil.
- Electric cord system.
- Retention hook.
- Single lever switch starts every time.
- Comfortable operation.
- Convenient to store.
- Slim and light-weight.
- Easy start.
Cons:
- It requires a power source.
- If this product fulfills your requirements, have a look at this for preparing your lovely garden.
4. Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5 Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator.
Brand Name: Earthwise.
- Motor: 13.5 Amp for better power and durable.
- It works as a weed controller.
- Adjustable six durable steel tines.
- Comfortable operation.
Earthwise TC70016 Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator is the most popular tiller among many tillers in the present market since 1895. This product comes with an earth-friendly design and a non-carbon footprint. It has power on and power off button. To start it, press the button and pull the lever. The tiller will be powered off if once the lever is let go.
It doesn’t have inconvenience like fume, start-up hassle, spark plugs to the foul, engine to clog up, etc. It is a quality product that is good for the environment as well as your garden. It has six durable steel tines. It cultivates up to area 11to 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep. It is designed with light-weight and works naturally and also easy to store. There is another merit of it that the single-lever switch starts every time.
Earthwise TC70016 Corded Electric Tiller has a sturdy 13.5 Amp motor and cord retention hook for securing extension cord during its use. This tiller has a rear-wheel for smooth and comfortable transport. After all, it doesn’t require any oil or gas to run it and even though any regular maintenance, as it has an electric cord.
Product Information:
- Product Dimensions : 17 x 20.5 x 14.6 inches.
- Item Weight: 29 Ibs.
- Shipping Weight: 32.4 Ibs.
- Manufacturer: American Lawn Mower Co.
- ASIN: B06Y2DMBF4.
- Model No. : TC70016.
- Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pros:
- It has electric motor 13.5 Amp.
- Weight 29 Ibs.
- Tilling width is 11 to 16 inches.
- Tilling depth 8 inches.
- Start with push-button.
- Have six steel angled tines.
- Durable.
- Easy storage.
- Need no gas or oil.
- Electric cord system.
- Retention hook.
- Single lever switch starts every time.
Cons:
- It requires a power source.
The Best Tillers for Garden-Battery-Powered Tillers:
Battery Powered: Such tillers run on a rechargeable battery pack and a small electric motor. The battery pack means you won’t have to move around any outlet, hence you have the freedom to go anywhere.
Why battery-powered tiller:
- Convenient and easy to use.
- Cordless so offers freedom of movement.
- Quiet operation.
- Great for light-duty work.
If you are looking for battery-powered tillers, this section will be helpful for you.
5. BLACK+DECKER LGC120 20-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Garden Cultivator/Tiller.
Brand Name: BLACK+DECKER.
- Robust transmission.
- Comes with 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery,
- With longer duration and Longtime charge retention.
- It covers up to 325 sft in a single charge.
- Counter-oscillating tines
- Weeds not tangling.
- Warranty for two years.
BLACK+DECKER LGC120 is a battery-powered product that is best for weeding, garden beds, etc. This tiller is capable of cultivating up to 325 feet per charge. Unwanted weeds are out with Counter-oscillating tines. This tiller can break the soil; as a result, the plant’s roots get the water and nutrients. The battery of this tiller gets charged fully within 4 hours. It offers two years warranty for the customers.
The tiller is the top in the list as a battery-powered tiller. You can go anywhere with this tiller without cord. This tool is not only light-weight; it doesn’t contribute to your carbon footprint and also needed no gas or fuel to run up as well.
Product Information:
- Dimensions of the Product: 8.4 x 7.8 x 41.5 inches.
- Item Weight: 11.73 Ibs.
- Shipping Weight: 12.3 Ibs.
- Manufacturer: BLACK & DECKER outdoor.
- ASIN: B004JMZH2G.
- Model No. : LGC120.
- Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars.
- Batteries: 1 Lithium-ion battery (included).
Pros:
- Weight 11.73 Ibs.
- Have dual tines.
- Durable.
- Easy storage.
- Lithium-ion batteries.
- Warranty for two years.
- The battery is charged with 4 hours.
- It cultivates 325 sft per charge.
- Battery-powered tiller.
- Need no gas or fuel.
Cons:
- Need for charging the battery.
- This tiller has less strength than a gas tiller or electric tiller.
The Best Gas-powered Garden Tiller:
Gas Powered: Such tiller comes in different size from small two-cylinder powered units to the ones with big, powerful 4-stroke engines.
Why gas-powered tillers:
- Very powerful.
- Capable of working for a longer period on a tank of gas.
- Able to handle all kinds of soil and land with ease.
Gasoline garden tillers may be your choice, this section will guide you on this type.
6. Craftsman C210 9-Inch 25cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered Cultivator/Tiller.
Brand Name: Craftsman.
- Light-weight designed.
- Easy start technology.
- Compact 25cc 2-engine.
- Removable transport wheel.
Craftsman C210 is a 2-cycle gas-powered mini tiller or cultivator with 25cc powered. It is a perfect cultivator for cultivating, weeding and tilling small gardens. It has a 3-steps pull-start easy technology. This tool is light-weight, capable of tilling solid soil, and very easy to operate it. It digs the area of width 6 to 9 inch and 5-inch depth-adjustable as your requirements. Included easy start technology that makes it start faster and simpler. It offers of warranty for two years.
Product Information:
- Product Dimensions : 13.2 x 14.5 x 28.8 inches.
- Item Weight: 29.1 Ibs.
- Shipping Weight: 29.1 Ibs.
- Manufacturer: MTD.
- ASIN: B07MFW79C4.
- Model No. : C210.
Pros:
- Gas engine.
- Need gas.
- Durable.
- Tilling width is 6 to 9 inches.
- Tilling depth 5 inches.
- 2-cycle gas-powered.
- Easy start technology.
- Light-weight.
- 25cc powered.
- Warranty for two years.
Cons:
- Need a large area for using this tiller.
Find the best lawn edgers and electric hedge trimmers here.
7. Schiller Ground Care Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Tiller Cultivator
Brand Name: Schiller Ground Care
• Lightweight design.
• Powerful Honda 4-cycle, only gas, doesn’t mixture fuel.
• Weight 24 pounds.
• Tine speed up to 240 RPM.
• Finger control throttle.
• Compact 9 inches width.
• 10 inches deep.
• Folding system.
• Easy to store.
• Easy to transport.
Schiller Ground Care Mantis 7940 4-Cycle is the best gas tiller on the market. This gas-powered tiller has a long-lasting and powerful Honda engine. It’s durable and heavy-duty cast communication of home for the years. Its blades are adjustable for tilling where it cultivates as per your requirement.
Mantis 7940 4-Cycle engine is capable of digging 9 inches deep and 10 inches width of the tight soil. It has an additional palm-controlled safety switch for its safety. This machine is ideal for use. As this machine is lightweight, never be worried about controlling it. It is very reliable to use it.
Product Information:
• Product Dimensions : 48 x 17 x 38 inches.
• Item Weight: 24 Ibs.
• Shipping Weight: 27.2 Ibs.
• Manufacturer: MANTIS.
• ASIN: B00N6X9VY4.
• Model No. : 7940.
• Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Pros:
- Gas engine.
- Need gas only, no mixing fuel.
- Durable.
- Tilling width 10 inches.
- Tilling depth 9 inches.
- 4-cycle gas-powered.
- Ergonomic handles.
- Tine speed up to 240 RPM.
- Folding system.
- Easy to store.
- Easy to transport.
- Warranty for two years.
Cons
- For more extensive ground, width of 9 inches may not be enough.
8. Mantis 1622 Power Tiller Tines for Gardening
Brand Name: Mantis
• Tilling10 inches deep and 9 inches with.
• Works through solid and hard soil.
• Durable.
Mantis 1622 Power Tiller is one of the most popular and essential among gasoline tillers for gardening. It works well and durable. It tills the soil up to 10 inches deep and width 9 inches. It plows solid and hard ground.
Product Description:
• Product Dimensions : 10 x 10 x 6 inches.
• Item Weight : 3 Ibs.
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 Ibs.
• Manufacturer: Mantis.
• ASIN: B00BMJ1R5A.
• Model No. : 1622.
Pros:
• Gas engine.
• Works through solid and hard soil.
• Durable.
• Tilling width 10 inches.
• Tilling depth 9 inches.
Solar Powered:
A solar-powered tiller comes handy when you have a small garden that has already been created. Run on solar, these tillers are great for the existing garden.
Why solar-powered tillers:
- Very environmentally friendly.
- Great for soft soil conditions.
- Ideal for existing small garden.
Find the best lawn edgers here.
Tiller styne styles
There are other types that are categorized depending on the style of tines.
Front Tine Style Tillers: This garden tiller comes with two or more tines that are attached to the front of the wheels and the engine. It is powered by either a two-stroke or four-stroke engine. The depth can be adjusted as the tines go into the ground. Hence, it lets you control how far you can dig into the soil.
The blades will rotate forwards, so they will be pulling very hard.They also will need big strength to control.
There are other types that are categorized depending on the style of tines.
Front Tine Style Tillers: This garden tiller comes with two or more tines that are attached to the front of the wheels and the engine. It is powered by either a two-stroke or four-stroke engine. The depth can be adjusted as the tines go into the ground. Hence, it lets you control how far you can dig into the soil.
The blades will rotate forwards, so they will be pulling very hard.They also will need big strength to control.
Why used:
- They are great for small gardens under 1,000 square feet.
- Ideal for loosely bound soil.
Rear Tine Style Tillers: The tines are attached behind the wheels and the engine. The tiller comes with tines that can rotate in both forward and backward directions, but that depends on personal preference. There are some tiles that let you reverse the rotation so it can make the operation easier. The depth can also be adjusted with this garden tiller.
Why used:
- Ideal for large gardens.
- Ideal for softening soil.
- Great for breaking new ground.
- Easy to steer and control.
Mid Tine Style Tillers: The engine and tines are all attached to the center. Majority of the models come with two tines generally.
Why used:
- Well-balanced.
- Used in light-duty applications.
Suitable for people who have medical conditions like shoulder, knee, and back problems.
Why to Use a Garden Tiller
Tilling a garden refers to lifting up the soil and breaking its clods into pieces. Hence, the garden tiller is a tool that does such job.
It is a machine that has been engineered to break hard, compact ground with blades or tines and turn it into loose soil. The tiller can be used for plowing and stirring as well as comes handy when you want to grow healthy and strong vegetation.
Different names:
- Garden cultivator (electric)
- Mini-tillers (front tine style)
- Rototiller (electric)
Hedge trimmer safety tips are presented here.
how to use a garden tiller
Just like every other machine, garden tiller too has some steps that you need to follow to accomplish your tilling job. You may already know what a garden tiller is. It is a tool that breaks the hard, compact ground into loose soil so you can use it for planting. And if you don’t know how to use garden tiller, follow the step below.
Take proper safety precautions:
Garden tiller is stated to be a very powerful tool comprising of sharp blades. So, it is essential to take proper safety precautions while you use it.
It is recommended that you always go through the manual instruction that comes with the machine. This will let you be familiar with the safety features and control.
Also, it is highly suggested to wear appropriate safety gears such as eye protection, sleeves, long pants and boots.
Step 1: Prepare the soil
Prior to using a garden tiller, you will have to check if the soil is ready. If the garden is new, then you need to make sure that you remove all the large stones from there. It will also be great if you could contact your utility department to ensure you do not have any underground utility lines where you’re planning to put the garden. If the garden is not new, then you will just need to pull up thick vegetation while walking through. Such tool is able to handle small plants in the ground as well.
Step 2: Operate the garden tiller appropriately.
Now that you are ready to start using the garden tiller, it is important to bear in mind that you do not end up digging too deep on your first pass. If it is hard ground or it has never been tilled, then 2 passes in different directions will do rather than pressing hard on the garden tiller.
Step 3: Different settings for different ground.
Get the right settings with the depth regulator on first pass.
You can use the shallowest setting for compact and hard soil.
Or you can start with a medium setting for the softer ground.
With every succeeding pass, fine-tune the depth regulator for digging an inch or two deeper.
Step 4: Let it go straight
The garden tiller has been engineered so it can propel itself forward. Hence, you won’t be needing to use that much pressure for moving it around. You’ll just need to make sure that you let the tiller go in a straight line.
You can move the handle-bars slightly from side to side if you want to ensure better forward movement.
Continue making passes unless you find the soil breaking up to a depth of around 8 inches.
When is the right time?
It will be great to till a garden in the autumn or spring especially when the temperature is about 60 degree Fahrenheit and the soil is solid dry. Counting on the climate and location, it should fall in early March to early June.
Make sure that the soil is not wet. It may compact the soil causing it to dry out excessively. You can also inspect the appropriate level of moisture by grabbing a handful of soil and squeezing it to a ball. After that, press your finger against the ball to check if the soil is ready. If the ball of soil falls apart, then you can guess that it’s ready for tilling.
Difference between a Tiller and a Cultivator:
Even if both a garden tiller and a cultivator bend over soil, but their functions differ. A tiller works for a heavy-duty of cracking separately and loosening solid soil. In contrast, a cultivator is suitable for mixing jointly the land as well as the nutrients rather than cutting apart solid and compacted soil.
There is a rule if you walk on site of your garden when your garden is dry, and you don’t get your shoes full of dirt, you must require a tiller. Otherwise, you need to use a cultivator.
The tiller can be used if your soil is weak, and mix nutrients with the land. Plowing aerates the soil to improve the combination of air and water for the plants. The plants can spread roots quickly in loose soil. The power of the tiller does this work too much to hurt the ground.
On the other hand, a cultivator doesn’t do the work as deep as the tiller. The tiller does the soil loosen, and the cultivator mixes the fertilizer with the soil. The cultivator also works when you sow seeds in the garden bed. By cultivating with the plowed land, the ground becomes looser and finer also.
If the soil is loose, a cultivator can work better and can easily manage to plant the plants. A cultivator can easily break the skin or layer of the land that is formed on the top of the soil before the vast amount of land become hard and compact. If the hard crust is on the ground, you need to use a tiller for the most in-depth work in your garden.
Now, let’s go for the description of the different products that you are going to purchase for your lawn.
Some tips on using the garden tiller
- Make sure that you don’t dig too deep too quickly particularly when you bust sod or till soil that has not been tilled for a certain amount of period.
- Water the garden for a couple of days before you till. It will help make tilling easier and let the well-prepared soil set for a day before you make final deep tilling passes.
- Relax and enable the wheels to pull the machine along while you till. Make sure that you avert making footprints in your freshly tilled soil.
- Avert pushing down on the handlebars while trying to force the tool to dig deeper.
- Never put feet or hands near rotating parts.
- Do not operate the tool without good visibility.
- Watch out while you till in hard soil. The tine can catch in the ground and end up propelling the tool forward. In such a situation, it’s better to let go of the handlebars.
- While you operate on, or crossing gravel surfaces, exercise extreme cautions.
- Look down behind you. Be very careful while you use a reverse function or pull the tool towards you.
- Use the accessories and attachments that are only approved by the manufacturers. If you don’t do so, it can result in severe injuries.
- Stop the engine after hitting a foreign object. Make sure that you ground the plug ignition wire after disconnecting it against the engine.
Tiller buying guide
Buying a tiller for your garden requires a significant budget and serves your lawn for a long time. So, there must be proper planning and research before purchasing a garden tiller. The following points will assist you choosing the best possible tiller based on the circumstances you are.
Budget
Size of land
How much task to do
Guarantee/Warranty
Brand
Price
Delivery
Maintenance
Functionalities
Soil type
New or re-till
Tiller types
The Battery Powered Garden Tiller:
The battery-operated garden tiller facilitates you tilling your garden by giving you complete freedom, power, and convenience as it is light-weight, quiet, and trouble-free to operate.
The Corded Electric Garden Tiller:
Corded Electric Garden Tiller is driven by the extension cord is famous as quiet as and more potent than a battery-powered item. This electric tiller is generally less potent from the gas tiller.
The Gas-Powered Garden Tiller:
The Gasoline Powered Garden Tiller is the most powerful and the easiest way of tilling your garden. It is available to fit your needs with various shapes and sizes. It has the capacity of heavy-duty handling tasks without any problem.
Stine styles
Other features
- Counterweight
- Size of the tiller
- Drag bar
- Autostart
- Adjustable control handle
- Foldability
Questions on the best tillers for garden
Who is the inventor of garden tiller?
Arthur Clifford Howard, an Australian farmer, experimented a tilling machine tractor in 1912. It was powered by steam. However, Swiss Dr. Konrad von Meyenburg patented a “Machine for Mechanical Tillage” He applied in 1910 and was granted in 1912.
When was tiller get commercialized?
Tillers was commercially introduced in 1937.
Which is the first brand to produce commercial tiller?
well-known lawn and garden tool producer Troy-Bilt commercially introduced tillers in 1937.
What is the first commercial tiller model?
Model A-1 tiller was the first commercial tiller model. It was produced by Troy-Bilt in 1937. It was designed by C.W. Kelsey with 4.25 horsepower. First commercial tiller weighted 400 pounds.
Should I Purchase a Gas or Electric Tiller?
The decision to purchase a gas or an electric tiller will depend upon some issues such as the size of your garden; you will till or re-till the soil etc. Generally, the electric tiller is perfect for small gardens, and the gas tiller is suitable for the more extensive gardens.
Conclusion:
Considering various types and sizes of tiller and cultivator, you are not investing low cost on it. So, this is most important for you to ensure that you are spending your capital on the right tiller. We have listed all the proven best tillers for garden to facilitate your buying decision.