According to Iowa’s Agriculture Literacy Foundation tilling of soil turns organic matter into the soil which increases decomposition of matter and it also disrupts the growth of weeds. So, before you think about making flower beds or a new lawn, you must be aware of preparing the soil by a tiller.
When early societies found that tilling soil can be beneficial for agriculture, they utilized slaves or animals to turn or trample the soil. Unlike today’s urban societies, landscapes were widely spread in those days and perhaps using slaves or animals was the only option landlords had.
Today, we have a number of tillers available on the market that work in different capacities. No matter how big or how tough your yard is, there is a machine available to get the job done. Keeping in view the operator’s comfort, they come with different designs and forms so you may choose what best suits you.
As the tillers are different in their capacity and form, their performance results may also differ from each other. It is important to know them well so that you can make a confident decision.
After intensive research, we have shortlisted a few of them that are excellent performers and will surely meet your expectations. So, read the full article to find the best tiller for your yard.
Best Electric Tillers/Cultivators Reviews
| Best Electric Tillers/Cultivators [Comparison] | ||
|---|---|---|
 | Editor's ChoiceEarthwise TC70001 11-Inch Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller/Cultivator
| LATEST PRICE → |
 | Honda FG110 9" 25 cc 4-Cycle Tiller/Cultivator
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 | Dirty Hand Tools Counter Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
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 | Schiller Grounds Care Mantis 7940 Tiller/Cultivator
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 | Earthquake 20015 Versa FTT Tiller/Cultivator
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 | Greenworks 10-Inch 8 Amp Corded Tiller
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 | Troy-Bilt Colt 208cc Forward Rotating Front Tine Tiller
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 | Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
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1. Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator
Motor: Earthwise TC70001 is powered by an 8.5 Amp motor that renders superior power to optimize work efficiency.
Tilling-Capacity: This machine is capable of tilling up to 11 inches wide and 8 inches deep into the ground. It comes with strong and sturdy dual four-blade steel tines that last longer.
Lever Switch: It comes equipped with a lever switch that starts the tiller every time you attempt to.
Cord Retainer: The cord retainer holds the cord to prevent accidental disconnection of power.
Handle: The handle comes with a soft ergonomically designed grip that ensures comfortable operations.
Opinion:
It is an electric corded tiller. It is compact and lightweight and can be maneuvered around with ease. It won’t take up much space in your storage. It is ideal for small and mid-sized gardens and will work efficiently to prepare the soil and for weeding and composting.
It is a versatile machine with cultivating and tilling capabilities.
2. Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller and Cultivator
Motor: Sun Joe TJ603E is equipped with a 12 Amp motor which makes it a powerful tool.
Tilling-Capacity: This machine is capable of tilling 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep. The larger width gets the job done in fewer passes which saves you time.
Tines: It comes with 6 steel angled tines that make work easier and they last longer.
Handle: This tiller employs a foldable handle for convenient storage and transportation.
Wheels: Wheels of this tiller provides 3-position adjustment options for the sake of better maneuverability and operations.
Opinion:
It is a reliable and durable 2-in-1 machine with tilling and cultivating capabilities. It is a powerful machine that will start at the push of a button and will dig into the soil within seconds.
The 12 Amp motor powers through the soil at 340 RPM and ensures maximum aeration. It is backed by a 2-year warranty which is another way of protecting your investment.
3. Honda FG110 9″ 25 cc 4-Cycle Middle Tine Forward-Rotating Gas Mini Tiller-Cultivator
Engine: This tiller comes with a 25cc 4-cycle engine which is a powerful engine. The 4-cycle engines are more fuel-efficient and produce more torque to get the yard work done quickly and efficiently. Honda FG110 comes with a front-engine guard to provide additional protection to the engine.
Tiller Capacity: It is capable of tilling 9 inches wide and 8 inches deep into the soil.
Tines: It has 4 tines forward rotating tines with 6 teeth per tine that delivers optimal performance. The tines are metallic hybrid design to ensure reliability and durability.
Throttle lever: It comes equipped with a throttle lever that controls the engine’s speed and rotation of the tines.
Opinion:
Honda FG110 is a mini-tiller with one of the most powerful engines for such a small machine. It is a versatile machine with tilling and cultivating capabilities.
It performs with excellent whether you are cultivating or tilling for flower beds, establishing food plots or garden beds.
4. Dirty Hand Tools Counter Rotating Rear Tine Tiller with Reverse (106145)
Engine: Dirty Hand Tool 106145 is powered by the 6.5 horsepower (196cc) Kohler SH265 engine which supplies an ample of power and features cast-iron cylinder liners that ensure long-life protection of the engine.
Tilling-Capacity: The high-power engine allows for 16 inches wide and 10 inches deep tilling.
Wheels: It employs wheels with 12 inches diameter and ensures easy transportation and effortless maneuverability.
Reverse: It comes with both forward and reverse-capabilities.
Warranty: It is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Opinion:
It is the most powerful machine on this list. It is built for excellent performance and to last longer to provide services year after year.
The tilling width and depth promise greater output in less time. The strength of the engine is actually your strength on the ground which you don’t have to do much effort; it will take on everything on itself.
5. Schiller Grounds Care Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Tiller Cultivator Powered by Honda
Engine: It is incorporated with a Honda 25cc 4-cycle engine that powers through tough yard work and ensures the durability of the product.
Tilling-Capacity: It is capable of tilling the soil up to 9 inches wide and 10 inches deep. The compact width allows tilling at the tight spaces.
Tines: The manufacturer of this tiller offers a lifetime guarantee of tines against breakage. The curved tines are strong enough to go full 10 inches deep into the soil and with a slight slip of tines, you can get a shallow cultivated soil up to 3 inches.
Kickstand: It comes with a handy kickstand to ensure proper placement for convenient fuel tank refilling and storage.
Handle: It employs a foldable handle that makes storage a cinch when not in use.
Opinion:
This tiller offers the ultimate power in a lightweight machine. It can get down the hard-packed soil easily in less time. The components are built to provide greater output and to last longer to ensure extended use year after year.
It backed by the best consumer warranty of 5 years.
6. Earthquake 20015 Versa FTT
Engine: Earthquake 20015 Versa is powered by a 99cc Viper engine that supplies an ample amount of power to get the cultivating and tilling tasks are done with efficiency.
Tilling-Capacity: It comes with an adjustable tilling width which can be adjusted at 11 inches, 16 inches, and 21 inches. The range of width sizes enables this machine to fit in tight spaces and rows easily. The depth of this tiller is 11 inches which deeper than any other model in this list.
Versatility: This machine can be easily converted from a tiller to cultivator just by removing the outer tines and shields which is completely a tool-less process.
Warranty: It is backed by a 5 years warranty to protect your investment.
Opinion:
It is a powerful and versatile machine that offers various features that ensure excellent performance with admirable results. It is a rugged and tough design machine built for tough jobs. Turn it to a cultivator and it will do weeding, mulching and soil aeration. If turn it to work as a tiller, it will turn all kinds of soil.
All in all, you have beast among tilling machines.
7. Greenworks 10-Inch 8 Amp Corded Tiller 27072
Motor: It is powered by an 8 Amp motor that offers easy electric starts and reliable performance.
Tilling-Capacity: It offers a tilling width of 8.25 inches to 10 inches and depth of up to 5 inches so that you can adjust the width and depth according to the requirements of your yard. By reducing the width, the tilling job can become easier at tight spaces.
Tines: It comes with four 8 inches (in diameter) forward rotating tines to render reliable performance.
Handle: It is incorporated with a foldable handle that ensures easy and convenient storage as well as transportation.
Opinion:
Greenworks 27072 is a lightweight product that is easy to maneuver around in the lawn. The adjustable width and depth allow applying settings as per the actual requirement.
It is a cost-effective unit, extremely eco-friendly and ideal for small yards.
8. Troy-Bilt Colt 208cc Forward Rotating Front Tine Tiller
Engine: A 208cc OHV 4-cycle engine powers this tiller to make tilling through a hard soil surface a breeze. The pull start engine supplies ample power to deliver high-end performance.
Tilling-Capacity: It comes with an adjustable tilling width and the width can be adjusted 13 inches, 22 inches, and 24 inches to make it suitable for all sizes of yards. This is the largest width size in the whole list of tillers here. It offers a tilling depth of 7 inches.
Tines: Troy-Bilt Colt employs patented bolo tines are designed with a purpose. The forward-rotating tines have an exceptional performance due to their unique design.
Handle: It comes with a foldable handle for easy storage and a grip for easy and comfortable operations.
Opinion:
This is one of the most powerful machines in this list with a range of width sizes to offer services for different types and sizes of yards. It is a perfect machine for tilling which is capable of breaking tough soil surfaces with ease.
Patented design tines provide the best-tilled soil for the better growth of plants. It is an expensive machine but the performance is worth it.
9. Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller with Self-Propelled Agricultural Tires
Engine: This tiller is incorporated with a 212cc engine which makes this tiller a beast. It delivers the right amount of power required by this cast-iron cased machine to perform extra-ordinarily.
Tilling-Capacity: It is capable of tilling up to 19 inches wide and 8 inches deep.
Tines: It features dual-rotation tilling tines that can be switched from forward to reverse making the operations smoother. The tines measure 13.8 inches in length and are made of hardened steel to tackle the toughest conditions easily.
Wheels: It comes with 13 inches high tires to self-propel on the uneven or rough terrains to reduce your efforts.
Warranty: This product is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
Opinion:
It is a powerful machine and comparatively the most expensive one in this list. It will be a great choice for the performance and quality of yard work it delivers.
It is a reliable and durable product built to tackle tough surfaces and for tilling jobs at a larger scale.
Buying Guide
Types of Tillers:
The tilling machines do the one same job which is ‘tilling’ but they are designed and manufactured differently to customers’ different preferences, different sizes of the yards and work requirements. We have categorized them below to help you find a tiller that will meet your lawn requirements.
Rear Tine Tillers:
These types of tillers come with wheels at the front and the tines at the rear end. They are comparatively high power tillers and designed for tough jobs.
Because of the tine at the back, they give an optimal tilling control to the operator and help to propel it with ease. Rear-tine tillers are best for breaking new and harder grounds as they are heavy and get the job done with fewer bumps and lurches.
Middle tine tillers:
This is a very common type and widely available. These tillers are more easy to use because of the engine or motor is right on the top of tines. They are easy to manoeuvre around because of the design and their lightweight.
Front Tine tillers:
Front-tine tillers are also lightweight and come with tines on the front. Because of their lightweight and rear wheels, they are more manoeuvrable than rear-tine tillers. Due to their lightweight, you may experience bumps while operating.
Why Tillage is needed?
Tillage serves two different functions. First of all, it loosens the soil and the second, it turns the soil into smaller pieces. It doesn’t involve pulverizing the soil which may destroy the structure of the soil which is not favorable for planting a garden. So, the best time for using a tiller on the soil is when the soil is not too dry and not too wet so you can get the perfect structure of soil after tillage.
A well-prepared soil can ensure the growth of plants and seeds you put in more efficiently without wasting your efforts and the tilling helps you prepare the soil.
What is the difference between a tiller and cultivator?
A cultivator is just to mix the soil to make it suitable and rich for plant growth. A cultivator doesn’t go too deep into the soil. Contrary to this, a tiller is meant to break the ground or turn the hard soil into pieces. Tillers generally go deeper into the soil as compared to cultivators.
Can you plant right after tillage?
Planting right after tilling is not a good idea rather get a soil-healthy garden one should start tilling a few weeks before planting seeds.
When should I till my garden?
Tilling your garden at the beginning of the spring provides more healthy soil. The soil is usually not wet like in winters and tilling will leave you with the best soil condition you need for planting. Tilling once a year is more than enough to get a healthy garden.
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