Starting a new garden can be a fun and enjoyable experience. Yet at the same time, it can be a lot of work turning a barren patch of grass into a bountiful garden. If your tiller isn’t up to the task it can put a lot of stress on the machine as well as on your body.
That’s why it’s important to choose the best tiller for breaking new ground, so you can get your garden started quickly without having to struggle through all the back-breaking labor.
If you just want a quick recommendation on the best tiller for large gardens you can check out our top picks below. Otherwise, continue reading this article for a detailed buyers guide along with reviews of the best garden tillers on the market.
Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground
Best Rear Tine Tiller Reviews
YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
The YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller (Buy Online) is the best rototiller for rocky soil. This rear tine tiller will make short work of thick grass, and it will also tear through shallow tree roots and brambles. This tiller also comes with durable pneumatic wheels, and it has a steel front bumper so you can push it into some really rough areas.
Features
208 cc, 9.5 ft-lbs Torque, Briggs & Stratton Motor
230 lbs
18” Tilling Width
6.5” Tilling Depth
190 RPM Dual Rotation
7 Depth Positions
1 Forward / 1 Reverse Gear
2-Year Residential Warranty
Positives
The 208 cc, 9.5 ft-lbs Torque, Briggs & Stratton Motor can handle large jobs with ease even when it encounters rough or rocky soil
The 7 Depth settings will allow you to cultivate your soil to any depth you desire
The 18” tilling width makes it the best rototiller for large gardens
The reverse gear will allow you to work with this tiller in tight narrow spaces
The folding handle will allow for easy one-handed operation
Negatives
The gear indicator can be a little tricky to read in some situations
At over 200 pounds this heavy duty tiller will need a relatively strong operator
If you’re looking to break new ground to start a new garden then the YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller is definitely suited for that purpose. This tiller has served as a reliable piece of equipment for many gardeners all around the country. It’s also built to last since it is commonly used by landscapers and commercial growers.
Husqvarna CRT900L Rear-Tine Tiller
The best rear tine tiller on the market is the Husqvarna CRT900L (Buy Online). This rear tine tiller will make the job of breaking new ground a real pleasure. It has all the power you need to chew through thick tough grass, and it is one of the best tillers for clay soil.
Features
12.51 cu. inch, 3200 rpm, Briggs & Stratton Motor
212 lbs
17” Tilling Width
6.5” Tilling Depth
Power Forward and Reverse
Counter-Rotating Tines
Positives
The 12.51 cu. inch, motor will make short work of any job you throw at it
The built-in drag bar makes this tiller stable in a wide range of terrain conditions
The extra wide 17” tilling width will speed up the process of breaking new ground
The 4-Stroke Engine is very easy to start up and it doesn’t require much maintenance
The reverse gear makes this large tiller very maneuverable
Negatives
The depth of the tines (6.5”) might not be deep enough in some situations
This tiller will take up some space in your shed or garage since it measures 48” x 24 x 35”
If you plan on starting a large garden, and you’re looking for a heavy duty rototiller that will make the job a lot easier then the Husqvarna CRT900L is your best option. This tiller will get your garden up and running in no time flat, and it will keep your soil loose and friable over many seasons.
Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
The Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller (Buy Online) is one of the best rear tine garden tillers on the market. This heavy duty tiller will make breaking new ground feel as easy as tilling an established garden. The Champion rear tine tiller is also built to handle some of the toughest jobs, and it will serve you for years as you care for and maintain your garden.
Features
212 cc, 4 Stroke Gasoline Engine
160.9 lbs
19” Tilling Width
8” Tilling Depth
13.8 inch Steel Tines with Dual Rotation
13-inch Pneumatic Agricultural Tires
Self-Propelled – 1 Forward / 1 Reverse Gear
2-Year Limited Warranty with Lifetime Technical Support
Positives
This lightweight self-propelled tiller takes the work out of tilling in even the toughest conditions
The 19” tilling width makes this one of the widest rear tine garden tillers
The 8” tilling depth will allow you to prepare deep compacted soils
The Dual Rotating tines make this tiller more maneuverable
The tiller is relatively lightweight for a rear tine model
Negatives
This tiller might require a little effort on steep grades or in rough soil
Reversible tines only have limited applications
The Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller is a great choice if you’re looking for a well-built tiller that won’t bust your budget. This tiller has a durable steel and cast iron construction that will last for years with minimal maintenance. It also is one of the widest rear tine tillers around, so it will allow you to get your tilling done quickly so you can get to work starting your new garden.
Troy-Bilt Bronco Rear Tine Tiller
The Troy-Bilt Bronco Rear Tine Tiller (Buy Online) is one of the best tillers and cultivators on the market, and it is made by one of the most trusted names in the business. The rear tine troy built tiller will easily break through sod with its powerful 208 cc engine. You will also enjoy using this tiller all season long since it is lightweight and compact, and it is very easy to move around in tight spaces.
Features
208 cc, 4 Cycle Gasoline Engine
164 lbs
14” Tilling Width
6” Tilling Depth
10- inch Steel Tines
11-inch Agricultural Tires
Counter-Rotating Tines
2-Year Limited Warranty
Positives
This rear tine tiller is powerful enough to break new ground yet it is compact enough to easily fit between garden rows when you need to use it during the growing season
The counter-rotating tines make the job of turning over dense soil much easier
The 14” tilling width is impressive in a compact rear tine tiller
The lightweight design makes it easy to move around in and out of the garden
Negatives
This tiller is not self-propelled which can make it harder to push in some situations
It might not be powerful enough for rocky or clay soils
The Troy-Bilt Bronco Rear Tine Tiller is perfect for someone who is starting a small to medium sized garden. It also is great in tight spaces, so you can use it when you are tilling raised beds, or if you are working in a garden with a tight row spacing. In addition, this tiller will easily fit in your garage or shed since it is more compact than some of the other rear tine tillers mentioned in this article.
Front Tine Tiller Reviews
Champion 22-Inch Dual Rotating Front Tine Tiller
The Champion 22-Inch Dual Rotating Front Tine Tiller (Buy Online) is the best front tine tiller if you need a compact unit with a lot of power. This front tine tiller offers the same power as a rear tine tiller in a smaller easier to maneuver form factor. This tiller also has built-in adjustment options that make it suitable for use in both small and large gardens.
Features
212 cc, 4 Stroke Gasoline Engine
119.1 lbs
Adjustable 16 to 22-inch Tilling Width
8” Tilling Depth
13.8 inch Steel Tines
8-inch Transport Wheels
Dual Rotation Tiller
2-Year Limited Warranty with Free Lifetime Support
Positives
The tiller is lightweight yet it still has enough mass to keep it stable in uneven or hard soil
The 16 to 22-inch variable tilling width makes this the perfect tiller for both large and small gardens
The 212 cc motor is powerful enough to turnover even hard clay soils
The lightweight compact design makes it easy to store and move in and out of the garden
Negatives
Might require multiple passes in very compact soil
The tiller isn’t self-propelled, so some people might have trouble pushing it
The Champion 22-Inch Dual Rotating Front Tine Tiller is a great choice if you want all the power of a rear tine tiller in a portable lightweight package. With the tilling width set on 22 inches, you can easily turn a 300 square foot piece of grass into soft garden soil in 30 minutes. You can also use this tiller all season long in your garden by simply setting the tines on the narrower 16-inch setting.
Earthquake Badger Full-Size Front Tine Tiller
The Earthquake Badger Full-Size Front Tine Tiller (Buy Online) is the best power tiller if you need to break new ground and you don’t want to do the same to your budget. The Badger tiller has the same compact footprint as the Versa tiller, but it has the extra power you’ll need to start a new garden. The Badger tiller is also one of the lightest front tine tillers, which will make it very easy for almost anyone to push it.
Features
149 cc, 4-Cycle Kohler Gasoline Engine
110 lbs
Adjustable 11”, 16” or 22-inch Tilling Width
11” Tilling Depth
Large Two-Position Wheels
5-Year Limited Warranty with 2- Year Engine Warranty
Positives
The tiller is extremely durable with a heavy duty gear drive transmission, and it has an all steel construction
The variable tilling width makes this tiller the perfect choice for breaking new ground, or if you are tilling the rows in a raised bed garden
The tiller is very well balanced and the wheels can be adjusted for greater mobility
Negatives
Directions can be hard to follow so you need to be careful when you put it together
Might not be powerful enough for very dense hardpan soils
The Earthquake Badger Full-Size Front Tine Tiller offers a great set of features, and it is compact and lightweight so you will easily be able to store it. You can also use this tiller to cultivate the soil in an established garden, or you can use it to remove weeds or to loosen compacted soil. This tiller also has one of the best warranties of any tiller, so you can rest assured you will always be able to get parts and or service.
Troy-Bilt Colt 208cc Forward Rotating Front Tine Tiller
The Troy-Bilt Colt Forward Rotating Front Tine Tiller (Buy Online) is a great alternative to the large rear tine troy built tiller. This tiller almost has the same amount of power as the rear tine model, but it’s much more compact and easy to maneuver. It also has adjustable tilling tines, so you can use it in tight spaces in and around your garden.
Features
208 cc, Troy Built OVH 4- Cycle Gasoline Engine
128 lbs
Adjustable Tilling Width 13”, 22” or 24-inch
7” Tilling Depth
12-inch Bolo Curved Steel Tines
Folding Handle
2-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty with a 2- Year Engine Warranty
Positives
The “Bolo” curve on the tines really helps break up and improve the texture of the soil
The pull start usually starts on the first try even with a cold engine
Takes up minimal space when not in use since it has a fold-down handle that will let you store it in small sheds or garages
Negatives
Wheels are a little small which can make it a little unstable
The depth stake can slow you down if you set it too low in hard soils
The Troy-Bilt Colt Forward Rotating Front Tine Tiller is a great choice if you plan on starting a small to medium sized garden. This tiller has all the power you’ll need with its 208cc engine, and it will tear through sod like nobody’s business. You’re also getting a tiller made by a company with 75 years of experience, so you can be sure that you’re getting a machine that has been engineered to handle a wide range of conditions.
