best rear tine tiller review

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If you have a medium to large-sized property, it can be tricky to till it manually. This is why you need a tiller that can get the job done quickly to start planting.

But there are so many different types of tiller in the market that making the right choice becomes difficult.

Don’t worry, though. We’re here to help you with our in-depth review of the best rear tine tiller that you can buy with confidence. We’ll also discuss things to consider in a tiller and recommend some of the best tillers available in the market.

Quick Picks

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Premium

YARDMAX Dual Rotating Tine Tiller

YARDMAX Dual Rotating Tine Tiller
Power rotating tiller that features both forward and counters rotation. It has an 18-inch rear tine and a 6.5-inch working depth with seven depth changes.

Best Overall

EARTHQUAKE Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller

EARTHQUAKE Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
It’s an efficient and maneuverable tiller that is well balanced and stable to use. The frustration-free shifting makes dual-direction tilling with ease.

Best Value

Poulan Pro Counter Rotating Rear-Tine Tiller

Poulan Pro Counter Rotating Rear-Tine Tiller
Affordable, 17-inch tiller, designed to use on small to medium-sized yards. 13-inch counter-rotating tines have enough power to handle the hard soil.

7 Best Rear Tine Tiller in Market

Product

Name

Detail

Price

  • 208 cc engine
  • 18″ wide and 6.5″ depth
  • 13″ self sharpening tine

  • 96 cc engine
  • 11″ wide and 10″ depth
  • 13″ tires

  • 208 cc engine
  • 17″ tilling width
  • Counter rotating tine

  • 99 cc Engine
  • Point 219″ tilling width
  • 12 inch tine diameter

  • 306 cc engine
  • 20″ tilling width
  • Point 3

  • 212 cc engine
  • 19″ tilling width and 8″ depth
  • 13″ self propelled tire

  • 208 cc engine
  •  17″ tilling width
  • 13″ rotating tine

Our Top Pick

Our top pick for the best rear tine tiller is the Earthquake dual-direction tiller.

It breaks ground to create a smooth seedbed ready for planting. A powerful engine combined with frustration-free shifting makes it simple to use.

The airless wheels are super wide to provide you with better traction when tilling. The dual grip handlebar allows you a single-hand operation. This prevents you to not stepping on seedbeds while tilling.

rear tine tillers

What is a rear tine tiller, and why do you need one?

For many gardeners, tilling or turning the soil has several benefits. It improves the airflow to the ground and helps remove weeds and pests from the soil. Some people think you don’t need to till the garden as the natural process can take care of its own.

There is certainly some merit in their reasoning to not till their garden. But there are some clear benefits to tilling. Tilling helps loosen the soil that allows you to plant seeds in the ground. It also makes it easy to remove weeds and distributes the nutrients in the soil.

You can go manually move the soil, but it’s hard work. It may be OK to do it manually for a smaller garden, but you may need to have a machine that does the job for any medium to large size garden.

These are powered machine that works independently from the front wheel. The rear wheel of the tiller is machine powered which gives you better power distribution and maneuverability. The engine is at the front, wheels in the middle, and tines at the back.

What are the benefits of rear tine tiller?

Rear tine tillers have several benefits, and the most vital is that it helps you till the ground in a short time. It saves you the need to do long and hard physical work.

Here are some other benefits:

  • Powered rear wheel allows the tine to work independently of the wheels, which means you get better tilling precision
  • You can easily adjust the tilling depth by using an adjustable depth regulator
  • Rear tine tillers delivers more power than the front tine tillers
  • Better safety when using the tiller due to the use of shields around the tiller
  • More stable and comfortable to operate

The rear tine tiller is excellent to use in large areas. The self-propelled wheel design makes it less exerting. You also have the option to choose a tiller model that can rotate tines in both directions.

What to consider when buying Rear Tine Tiller

Engine

The gas engine comes in 2 cycles or 4 cycle engines. The 2 cycle is compact but needs to mix oil and gas. The 4 cycle is more powerful for tough jobs. 

Tilling Capacity

The tilling capacity depends on the depth and width of the tiller blades. For most residential use, choose a 16 to 20-inch width tiller. 

Weight

The weight depends on the engine and the overall design of the machine. Choosing extra weight keeps the tiller stable and well balanced when operating.

Have a question about buying a rear tine tiller? Contact us

Best Rear Tine Tiller Reviews

1. YARDMAX Dual Rotating Rear Tiller

Tiller For Rocky Soil

Yardmax dual rotating tine tiller delivers power so you can get the job done without breaking a sweat. It has a 4-stroke Briggs & Stratton engine that returns 9.5 FT/LB gross torque with 190 RPM rotational speed.

The 18-inch wide rear tine comes with 7 different depth adjustments and a 6.5-inch working depth that covers the ground more quickly.

The dual rotation feature is handy and impressive. It’s easy to use and has 13-inch self-sharpening tines that can break and move even the toughest soil.

At the front, it has a pair of 13-inch pneumatic wheels with good traction. This well-balanced tiller you can operate single-handedly. The adjustable drag bar maintains optimal balance on any soil surface.

The self-propelled drive system transmissions offer a forward and reverse gear system for better control. It’s an excellent tiller with a perfect combination of easy use and performance. The adjustable side safety shield and serrated rear shield improve safety and performance.

The tiller uses shear pins that are 1 inch long and 5/16 inch in diameter. You can easily buy the spare parts when needed. It’s relatively easy to start a pull-start engine. You need to set the throttle to high, bring the engine to the on position, open the fuel switch, and pull the starter rope.

See More Information about: Yardmax dual rotating tine tiller

Pros

  • Powerful 4-stroke engine
  • Pneumatic wheels with good traction
  • Balanced and durable to use
  • Safety shield

Cons

  • Handle is non-adjustable
  • Manual recoil start

2. Southland Rear Tine Tiller

Best Tiller For Large Garden

When it comes to handling the toughest soil, the Southland rear tiller is an excellent choice. It’s a great tiller for a light tilling job to handle heavy-duty compacted tough soil. The powerful 196 cc OHV engine produces 9.6 FT/LB torque.

The gear-driven system is capable of providing optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. The 4-cycle engine means you don’t have to worry about mixing oil and gas. The fuel-efficient engine lets you till the large area in an expedited manner. However, it’s not a self-propelled tiller.

It’s a counter-rotating tiller in which tines spin the opposite direction to each other. You will love digging deeper with its 11-inch self-sharpening tines. You get an 18-inch tilling width and 10 inches tilling depth that you can easily adjust using the depth regulator lever.

This tiller can easily cut through hard stony soil or anything else that came in its way. The heavy-duty 13-inch pneumatic tires keep moving forward or in reverse regardless of the ground surface. The easy-to-use manual recoil system allows you to start and get to work right away.

It’s a great garden tiller for residential and commercial use. You can use it in your garden anytime you need it and get your ground prepared for planting. It comes with a two-year limited warranty and is CARB compliant.

See More Information about Southland rear tiller

Pros

  • Powerful 4-cycle engine
  • Depth regulator lever
  • High-performance gear drive system
  • Large 18 inches tilling width and 10-inch depth

Cons

  • Not self-propelled
  • Hard to keep it balanced on a rough surface

3. Husqvarna Briggs & Stratton Rear-Tine Tiller

Best Walk Behind Tiller

When it comes to a reputable brand, Husqvarna is a trusted name. It provides a range of high-quality power tools, and this Briggs & Stratton engine garden tiller is no exception.

It’s powered by a 205 cc 4 cycle OHV engine that gives you 210 RPM rotational speed with 9 FT/LB torque. The counter-rotating tines and high RPM motor means you can handle any light to a tough job with ease.

The engine is an easy pull start with 17-inch working width, suitable for plowing, cultivating, and ridging. It can quickly push through weed-infested land and prep soil for planting. The counter-rotating tine allows you to have a significant and deep penetration to the ground.

The construction of the unit is sturdy and doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. The large 13-inch wheel has good traction on the soil surface and doesn’t slip in the forward or reverse direction.

It’s approximately 190 lb and has a counterweight at the front. This stable and self-propelled mechanism means you don’t have to push it manually.

See More Information about Husqvarna Briggs & Stratton Rear-Tine Tiller

Pros

  • 205 cc powerful 4-cycle engine
  • Large 13-inch anti-slip wheel
  • Self-propelled
  • Includes forward and reverse gear

Cons

  • Handle length isn’t adjustable
  • Manual recoil start

4. EARTHQUAKE Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller

Best Rear Tine Tiller For Money

Earthquake dual-direction rear tine tiller is a compact size, robust, no-nonsense rear tine tiller. It gives you greater control and power when it comes to moving soil.

It has a powerful engine that easily breaks ground to create a smooth seedbed. The well-designed transmission in the middle of the tiller makes a low center of gravity. It maintains perfect balance from front to back and side to side. You don’t have to fight to keep it balanced as when using top-heavy tilling machines.

You can switch the front and backward motion of the tiller with an instant reverse feature. You can pull the handle to reverse it and release the grip to go forward again. The dual-grip handlebar allows you to adjust it to your comfortable position.

You can set it up for single-hand operation and avoid stepping on your flower bed while tilling. The unit isn’t cumbersome, which makes it easy to maneuver. You can get the job done a lot quicker with this tiller, and has an engine that is a lot lighter and quieter.

It has sturdy airless wheels that provide the most traction without worrying about getting punctured. The large size wheels offer great stability and easy control. The well-designed handle and conveniently placed levers mean you won’t get super tired tilling.

The build quality of the machine is very sturdy and is meant to last for several years. The dual direction gas-powered tiller means it gets the job done on most soil types.

See More Information about EARTHQUAKE Pioneer Dual-Direction Tine Tiller

Pros

  • Powerful engine to till any soil type
  • Well-balanced and stable machine
  • Instant reverse
  • Airless wheel with good traction

Cons

  • Small handle cushion
  • Bit noisy when operating at full throttle

5. Troy-Bilt Forward Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Electric Start Rear Tine Tiller

Finding a tiller that can plow through challenging terrain without struggling can be a difficult task. Luckily, Troy-Bilt 306 cc forward rotating tine tiller provides you with plenty of power to handle any job.

It’s powered by Briggs & Stratton 306 cc OHV engine that comes with 4 forward, 1 neutral, and 2 reverse speeds. The electric start engine means you don’t have to fiddle around pulling the start rope. You get a 20-inch tilling width and 12-inch tine diameter that can move soil up to 7 inches deep.

The control levers are close to the handle that making the operation easy. The single-hand function allows you to walk to the side of the tiller so you don’t ruin newly moved soil. Adjustable speed lets you control how quickly you want to get the job done.

The cast-iron encased bronze gear transmission gives you stability and sturdiness for long-lasting operation. The engine is mounted at the top of the tiller and is well balanced. You don’t have to fight to maintain balance.

Tiller has a pair of 16-inch AG tires with excellent traction and added durability to go through all types of surfaces. The back shield protects you from dirt and rocks hitting you while tilling. You get a lifetime warranty on transmission and a 2-year limited warranty on the tiller.

See More Information about Troy-Bilt Forward Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Pros

  • Powerful 306 cc OHV engine
  • Electric start
  • Large 20 inches tilling width
  • Multiple speed with forwarding and reverse action

Cons

  • Bit expensive
  • Takes large storage space

6. Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Rear Tine Roto Tillers

If you have a medium to large-sized property, the Champions Dual rotating rear tine tiller is the perfect choice for your lawn.

The powerful 212 cc engine is a workhorse behind your gardening needs. It has an ideal combination of power and performance to handle the toughest garden soil.

The gear-driven transmission is housed in a heavy-duty cast-iron case. It gives you better performance with minimal vibration and quieter operation.

The controls are near the handle with a counter-rotation tilling option. Sturdier 13.8 inches hardened steel tines and efficient bidirectional shredding design can handle any terrain.

You get a 19-inch tilling width and up to 8-inch tilling depth, which is suitable to handle most residential gardening needs. It can take on any medium to large size ground with the least effort. You can move from tilling to planting as soon as possible.

The adjustable tilling width allows you to use it in narrow spaces or wide rows. It’s a self-propelled tiller that rides on a 13-inch tire. Excellent tire traction means you won’t have to worry about slipping and need to guide the tiller in the direction you want to move.

You also can adjust the depth gauge that runs behind the tiller. It allows you to work at a consistent depth and provides the right balance regardless of the soil surface. It’s EPA-certified tiller and CARB compliant that comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

See More Information about Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Pros

  • Ideal for medium to large properties
  • Powerful engine
  • Counter-rotating tilling operation
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

  • Hard to find in stock
  • Not electric start

7. Poulan Pro Counter Rotating Rear-Tine Tiller

Best Rear Tine Tiller Under $1000

Once you use the Poulan Pro counter rotating rear tine tiller, you will wonder why you haven’t used it before. It’s a heavy-duty tilling machine with a 208 cc engine that provides the necessary power for a more extended tilling task.

It features 13-inch counter-rotating tines that make tilling easy on any small to medium size job. You can quickly break up heavy, uncultivated soil with ease. The sturdier heavy-duty chain drive transmission gives you a smooth forward and reverse operation.

The handle is adjustable and comfortable to hold. The split loop handle can be raised or lowered as per your need. It’s also suitable for single-hand operation from either the left or right side of the tiller.

Tiller has a 17-inch working width that can handle even the toughest ground to turn into fine soil. The powerful OHV engine is fuel-efficient and runs cooler even after working for some time. An adjustable depth stake allows you to control the tilling depth and change speed with a flick of a lever.

It’s a great budget option for a powered rear tine tiller and comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

See More Information about Poulan Pro Counter Rotating Rear-Tine Tiller

Pros

  • Powerful 208 cc engine
  • Great tilling performance
  • 13-inch rotating tines
  • Single hand operation

Cons

  • Manual start
  • Small tires

What are the different types of tine tiller?

types of tine tiller

There are two main types of tine tiller that you can buy; front and rear tine tiller.

Front tine tillers: As the name suggests, the tiller is present at the unit’s front. This may resemble a lawnmower that you have to push around, except the tiller has a more prominent and different blade style.

The front tine tillers are compact and cheap. It’s easy to control and maneuver. The tiller at the front makes it easy to turn and reverse. You may choose this for any small to medium size garden.

Rear tine tillers: If you need more power and need to move a large ground, you should consider a rear tine tiller. It delivers more power to the tiller, allowing you to break stiff and clunky soil in your garden.

For any rocky or compact soil, a rear tine tiller is a better option. You can use it to dig any medium to large size garden where you need to break ground, cultivate compost or loosen the dense and compact soil.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide on Starting a Garden

What should you look for when picking a tiller?

When choosing a rear tine tiller, you should be aware of some characteristics. Here are a couple of crucial factors to consider.

plowing field with tillers

Tiller rotation

Depending on the tiller’s price, size, and power, it can rotate in both directions. For example, a standard rotating tiller has tines that rotate only in a single forward direction. It comes in different engine power ratings anywhere from 100 cc to 300 cc.

Counter-rotating tine has tiller rotate in the opposite direction. It helps you break up harder surfaces such as clay soil.

Dual rotating tine tiller has both forward and reverse rotation. It allows you to both forward and reverse direction and till in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

Engine

If you’re buying a rear tine tiller with a gasoline engine, it comes in a 2-cycle engine and 4-cycle engine option.

2-cycle engines are small and compact, but you need to mix oil and gas to operate. The 4-cycle engine doesn’t require you to mix oil and gas and is more powerful. 2-cycle engines are lightweight and less powerful than a 4-cycle engines.

When looking for the engine power rating, you should pay attention to the engine’s horsepower rated in HP or its displacement rated in cc. A higher number means more power to the engine.

Another critical aspect of the engine is how you start it. The machine can be either manual recoil starts or electric starts. Manual recoil engines need some effort to get started, but they usually cost less than an electric start.

You may also find some engines to be OHV rated. OHV is a short form of overhead valve that provides better fuel efficiency, light design, and reduced emission. The higher fuel efficiency means you can save on gas while emitting less exhaust.

tiller tire

Tiller tires

Sturdier and heavy-duty tiller tires give you better traction and make it easy to keep the machine balanced. Heavy-duty well-made tires allow you to move through the ground surface without needing to push it harder.

Depending on the engine power, tire size varies. A larger tire size makes it easy to move along an uneven or rough surface.

Pneumatic tires are easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about filling air into it. Air-filled tires are cheaper, but they also tend to provide smoother movement.

Tilling capacity

The tilling capacity depends on the depth and width of the blades. For example, a 6-inch tilling blade can dig 6 inches into the soil in each round.

Fortunately, the tiller comes with an adjustable tilling depth that you can control with a flick of a lever. You can set it depending on the plant you want to grow later.

Tilling width determines how wide you can till at a time. It allows you to get the job done quicker, but it also means a bigger and heavier machine.

There is different tilling width capacity small garden tine tillers you can buy based on your need. For most residential use, you can safely choose anywhere from 16 to 20-inch width tiller.

Transmission gears

Transmission gears help transfer the engine power into the tiller blades and tires. Most dual rotating tines have a speed lever and reverse gear. This allows you to move back and forth while tilling.

Some tiller models have variable speed options that allow you to set speed depending on the area you’re planning to till.

Handle

An adjustable ergonomic tiller handle allows you to get the job done without getting tired. Tiller comes with either a fixed or adjustable handle. The adjustable handle gives you greater flexibility as it allows you to change the length you find comfortable.

Another aspect of the tiller is to look at the drag bar. It helps improve stability, provides uniform tilling depth and consistent speed when in operation. Some tillers come with a counterweight to maintain the stability of the unit.

small portable tiller

Weight

Most tillers weigh anywhere from 150 to 200 lbs. The weight depends on the engine size and functionality of the machine. The weight shouldn’t be an issue as most tillers are machine-powered, which means you don’t have to push it manually.

The extra weight makes the tiller more stable, and you don’t have to struggle to balance while operating. These are great when you move rocky and hard ground surfaces.

How often should you till your soil?

Depending on the plant, you may till the soil maximum of twice a year. Usually, tilling has been done when planting crops for centuries. But new research has suggested that plants don’t need as often tilling as it was initially thought.

You can do tilling when you’re planting it for the first time or changing to a different set of plants. Tilling allows you to quickly clear out old plant roots and mix the soil’s air and nutrients.

There are benefits of doing a tilling but don’t overdo it. Excessive tilling may damage beneficial microbes, roots, and soil structure. Tilling is great for vegetable gardening. You can do it to take out root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and turnips.

If you need to do occasional tilling, you also can get a rear tine tiller rental from your local home hardware store.

tiller digging hole

What tilling depth and width you need in your garden?

You can till 3 to 5 inches deep and 7 to 8 inches wide for most plants when preparing new garden beds or planting different crops. Often over time, the soil gets compacted, reducing the soil’s airflow and passage of nutrients to the plant roots.

For a new garden where you plan to grow fruit and vegetables, you can dig the grounds 7 to 10 inches deep. This gives you 9 to 14 inches deep workable depth in which you can plant most types of vegetables and ornamental flowers.

You don’t have to dig very deep as it may bring weed seeds to the surface that you have to remove and disturb the underground biodiversity. The tilling should be deep enough to allow the moisture and air to pass through from the surface to plant roots.

Do tilling kill weed?

If you have weeds in your garden, then tilling helps you to remove them quickly. It loosens the soil that allows you to pick and remove it from the garden.

For a garden filled with weeds, you can use a tiller to move back and forth on the surface while overlapping each row by 2 to 3 inches.

Tilling kills weed by cutting through the deep weed roots inside the soil. It would be best if you tilled the weeds when there is no seed on the plant; otherwise, you have to remove weeds again next year.

Conclusion

You may have to till your garden before preparing a new raised garden bed or getting ready for seeding. Tiller is a powerful gardening tool that can make your job easier.

Choosing the right tiller isn’t easy. There are so many different kinds available in the market with various features. Investing in a high-quality tiller allows you to get a tool that will provide you with hassle-free operation for several years to come.

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