August 1996
The power rotary tiller is probably the power tool most commonly purchased by gardeners. Whether or not a gardener needs a rotary tiller depends on the size of the garden, the gardener's capabilities, and the intended uses of the tiller. Most home gardeners will find it more economical to rent a tiller or hire someone for those occasional tilling needs. However, for those who choose to buy, careful selection of the tiller should be based on the nature of the work to be done, the quality of the machine and ease of repair, as well as personal preference. The tiller's engine powers rotating blades, or tines, which can make garden soil loose and fluffy, ready for planting. It can also chop up plant debris and mix it into the soil. Incorporating organic matter and manures into the garden is easily accomplished with a tiller, reducing the tendency to procrastinate this most necessary chore.
The ability of the tiller to do these jobs effectively is a function of its weight, strength, design, type of tines, and the type of soil. A heavy, powerful tiller is most effective on stony clay soils, while in a small garden or one with light soil, a smaller tiller is more appropriate. Very lightweight tillers, known as "soil blenders," are designed mainly for raised bed gardening; however, they are not widely available and frequently must be mail-ordered.
Both front and rear tine rotary tillers are available. Rear-tined tillers are generally better able to self-propel on all but the rockiest soils. Rear-tined tillers often have a number of attachments available for a variety of uses, such as hilling potatoes, making raised beds, even plowing snow! The price of a rear-tined rototiller is considerably higher in most cases than that of the front-tined type; consideration should be given to the payback time necessary for such a large investment. If gardening is simply a hobby, and the garden is small, a front-tined tiller may be more suitable. Front-tined tillers are usually lighter in weight, but may require more strength to guide them through the soil. Operating this type of tiller is comparable to handling a large floor polisher such as those used in schools and hospitals mainly, leverage is required for control, but new gardeners are sometimes scared away from these tillers because of the initial experience of having a tiller run away with them. The front-tined tiller may not make as straight a pass as the heavier rear-tined type, but it is much easier to turn. Due to this increased maneuverability, the front-tined tiller is easier to use in small gardens and in corner areas.
The purchase of a tiller is a major investment as garden tools go. Features to look for include heavy cast iron, steel plate and tubing, heavy bearings, strong welds used in construction, and easily operable controls. Ask to look at the operator's manual and try to determine how simply a tune-up can be performed; you may save yourself a great deal of trouble and money if you can replace plugs and points yourself, particularly if you have no pick-up truck on which to load the tiller. Also consider the locations of service centers and parts dealers. Careful attention to your needs, abilities, and price range is important. Talk to people who have the types of tillers you are interested in. If possible, borrow or rent various types of machines and send for information before you buy.
(Excerpted from "Garden Equipment," VCE publication 426-315, by Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Consumer Horticulture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0327.)