Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground

Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground

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

ImageNameTypeRatingShop
Earthquake 31285 Pioneer Direction Rear Tine Tiller 4-Cycle Viper EngineRear Tine
Southland 150cc 4 Stroke 11 in. Front Tine Rotary Tiller Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SFTT142 Front Tine TillerFront Tine
Greenworks 80-Volt 10-inch Battery Powered CultivatorFront Tine
YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating, 208Cc, Briggs & StrattonRear Tine
Earthquake 31043 Badger Heavy Duty Front Tine Tiller, 149cc 4-Cycle Kohler EngineFront Tine
Farmer Helper 48″ Tiller Cat.I 3pt 20+hp (FH-TL125)Tow Behind

 

 

Best Rear Tine Tiller Reviews

 

 

YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground

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.

 

 

How to Break New Ground for a Garden