Many people like gardening because it gives them satisfaction and peace of mind. It even helps some people with depression and stress. Whether you plant some flowers, grow some crops, or maintain a large lawn, a blooming yard will bring you immense satisfaction. Of course, you can start gardening using small tools, but the more you invest in appropriate equipment, the better your garden will look.
Good soil with enough drainage is the most important factor for plant growth. Using a garden tiller is one of the tools that'll help keep the soil in perfect condition. It breaks the hardened and compact soil into loose dirt, which can be used for planting. You might require a tiller if you want to create a new garden bed.
There are a variety of tillers to choose from, like corded electric tillers, gas-powered tillers, battery-powered tillers, and cordless tillers. Given the importance of tillers in gardening, we have brought you a list of the best garden tillers.
How We've Made Our Selection
We looked at all the available garden tillers. We looked at several features and their overall build. We looked at customer reviews to filter out the ones which were not worth your investment. Finally, we were left with four large garden tillers, which we will now review.
4 Best Large Garden Tillers
What Stands Out
- Corded electric, with motor power of 13.5 AMP.
- Made of alloy steel with six rugged stainless-steel tines to make it durable and efficient.
- Tilling depth of 8 inches, and tilling width of 16 inches.
- Foldable handle for easy storage.
- 3-position height adjustable rear wheels.
- Two years warranty.
What to Keep in Mind
- The bolts have a specific orientation that must be followed, so you need to make sure to line them properly before fitting them.
- As it's not one of the battery-powered tillers, you will need an extension cord and connect it to a power outlet outdoors for easy maneuverability.
Sun Joe manufactures a variety of electric tillers, so you can get something to suit your requirement. This Sun Joe electric tiller earned the top spot in our list for its amazing features and efficiency. It is also rated as the Best Seller power tiller on Amazon.
The Sun Joe tiller is a corded electric front tine tiller. The motor has a running power of 13.5 AMP, which can cultivate the ground area measuring 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep. The tiller does the job well without stressing the motor because of its high power.
It features a well-built push button to start the tiller. The material used to build the front tine tiller is alloy steel. It has six rugged tines made from stainless steel. They work smoothly and are highly durable. It can tilt the toughest and most rocky soil.
The handle can fold, making it easy to store and move the rear tire around. Even the rear wheels have a 3-position adjustment. So, you can change it according to your comfort and convenience. It will take only minutes to assemble this heavy-duty tiller.
The company stands by its products' effectiveness and durability and provides a 2-year warranty from the date of purchase for your peace of mind.
What Stands Out
- Corded electric roto-tiller with motor power of 13.5 AMP.
- No noise, gas, oil, or any other emission of harmful fumes.
- Six adjustable tines.
- The tiller can dig up to 8 inches deep and has an adjustable tilling width ranging from 11 to 16 inches.
- Comfortable ergonomic grip.
- Two years warranty.
What to Keep in Mind
- The powerful motor is hard to control for some people, so you should have a stronghold and always keep an eye on it when working.
Earthwise is one of the pioneers of manufacturing gardening tools. They have focused their goal on producing innovative planet-conscious products since 1895. If you use their products, you will lessen the carbon footprint of gardening activities, and that, in return, will make a greener environment. Earthwise electric roto-tiller is one of the best power equipment manufactured by them.
What we love about this garden tiller is that there will be no noise, gas, oil, or harmful fumes when you use it. It is a very lightweight tiller with a powerful 13.5 AMP motor. It works like a gas-powered tiller but without the harmful fumes that ruin the planet.
As soon you plug it in with the power source, it's ready to use. This large tiller is an adjustable tine tiller with six different settings. The tilling depth is 8 inches and has an adjustable tilling width of around 11 to 16 inches.
It is known to work very well on both raised beds and flat garden beds.
The design is very compact and easy to maneuver. We understand how tiring it can become to hold and use the tiller for a long, but with its ergonomic grip, we are sure it will put less strain on your arm.
What Stands Out
- 2-in-1 tiller and cultivator.
- 79cc Viper engine tiller and gas-powered cultivator.
- Sturdy machine with bronze gear transmission and forged steel vines.
- Removable Side Shields and Outer Tines.
- Tilling depth of 11 inches and three adjustable tilling widths of 11 inches, 16 inches, and 21 inches.
- Adjustable 4-position ergonomic handle.
- Three years limited warranty.
What to Keep in Mind
- It is a bit technical to assemble this tiller, so you might need to do a bit of reading or searching online to do it.
This front tine tiller earned a spot in our favorites list because of the bonus features. The Tazz is a 2-in-1 tiller plus cultivator. The tiller will turn the soil, and the cultivator can weed, mulch, and aerate the soil. So, it does the job of two tools at one price.
The Tazz is a gas-powered tiller with a heavy-power 79cc Viper engine which is very easy to start because of a smooth pull recoil. The cultivator gets its power from gas, whereas the high-power Viper engine can till any kind of soil. The build of the tiller is strong with bronze gear transmission and forged steel tines.
It lets you control the tilling depth up to 11 inches deep with a multi-position drag stake that can be adjusted with a snap. It also features three adjustable tilling widths of 11 inches, 16 inches, and 21 inches. The 21 inches width is mostly used to cultivate the ground. They made it very user-friendly, as it has a low center of gravity, giving ground-hugging stability.
For your convenience, the ergonomic steel handle has a four-height position option. You can easily adjust it to your comfort and suitability. They offer a 3-year limited warranty for your peace of mind.
What Stands Out
- 13.5 AMP electric tiller.
- 6 rust-resistant blades.
- Tilling depth of 9 inches, and tilling width of 18 inches.
- Two-stage gearbox, which has an anti-block mechanical clutch for safety.
- Low noise and reduced vibration.
What to Keep in Mind
- It is advised to check the gearbox before running the machine, as sometimes you might have to add more oil to it.
LawnMaster has been manufacturing gardening tools. They aim to make gardening easier for everyone with their innovative engineering and motor technology. LawnMaster has been designing its tools to be user-friendly and efficient. They have tried their best to offer these products at a reasonable price, making them accessible to the majority. Their LawnMaster Electric Tiller impressed us with its features and design.
This electric tiller has a 13.5 AMP motor, which is so powerful it can easily till large gardens. It has a tilling depth of 9 inches and tilling width of 18 inches, which does its job very productively. The tiller has six rust-resistant blades, sharp enough to cut through the roughest terrain. You might get tired of tilling the entire garden, but it will be doing its job effectively. Additionally, the tiller makes very low noise and reduces vibration compared to others.
It is very lightweight and works better if it's tilted backward. The lighter weight of the product makes it easier to move around, though the bouncing can sometimes be intense. It features a two-stage gearbox that has an anti-block mechanical clutch. It is highly safe; after pressing the safety lock button, you must then pull the trigger level up and against the motor.
How to Use a Garden Tiller?
Here are the general steps for using a garden tiller:
- Choose the right type of tiller for your garden and the task at hand.
- Prep your garden by removing rocks, debris, and large weeds.
- Adjust the tines of the tiller to the desired depth.
- Start operating the tiller as per the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
- Slowly walk the tiller forward while holding onto the handles.
- Move the tiller side-to-side in overlapping rows, covering the entire area.
- After tilling the entire area, turn off the tiller and wait for the tines to stop rotating.
- Use a rake to level the soil and remove any remaining debris.
- Water the soil lightly to help settle it and promote seed germination.
- Plant your desired plants and seeds or lay sod as per your requirement.
Always remember to follow the safety instructions provided in the tiller's manual before using it.
Why Do You Need to Use a Garden Tiller?
If you plant in hard or compacted soil, your crop will not grow, as it will not get the necessary ingredients to survive. As a result, your plants may wilt and die soon. No matter how hard you work on your garden bed for it to bloom, if the soil isn't tilled, nothing will grow. A freshly turned soil by tilling will provide ample oxygen for your plants, as the best tiller will aerate the soil.
The best time to use the tiller is in autumn and spring when the ground has received rain. It is advised to wait a day after the rain to till, as tilling the wet ground will leave you with bulky pieces of rocky soil when it dries.
Garden Tiller or Cultivator, What's the Difference?
There is a misconception that a garden tiller and a cultivator are the same things. But let us clarify, they are very different from each other and serve distinct purposes.
Garden tiller:
A garden tiller helps you break the dense soil to loosen dirt suitable for plantation. It's essential for your plants/crops. A tiller is used not only for crushing the soil but also for plowing, hoeing, and weeding. The different tiller tines will help you in any soil you want to work on according to their specialty. The tillers have either standard rotating tines, counter-rotating tines, or dual rotating tines.
Cultivator:
A cultivator serves a different purpose as compared to a tiller. The cultivator mixes the already loose soil with whatever you want to add, such as fertilizer or compost, to make the soil richer. It makes your loose soil finer than the tiller, but it can't be used to replace the garden tiller.
Types of Garden Tillers
There are two types of tillers. Both of them are used for specific purposes, and it is important to know the ground on which you will be gardening to choose the most suitable garden tiller type.
Front tine tillers:
Front tine tillers have the tines in the front of the equipment. They are best used in small to medium gardens size. They are smaller in size than the rear tine tillers, so storing them is also easy. Because of the small size, the front tine tillers are easier to move around in tight spaces.
Rear tine tillers:
The rear tine tillers have the tines on the back of the equipment. They are bigger and heavier than the front tine tiller. They are powerful tillers. Thus, they are used on large-scale grounds. The best rear tine tiller works like a breeze and even breaks up old existing gardens and tough soil.
Buyer's Guide
A few things should be on top of your head while deciding to buy the large tiller. When it comes to a garden tiller, a one-time purchase should last you several years. And we would want you to get something that you are content with even though it might put a little dent in your pocket.
Compatibility with your country :
Always check if the power source, plug unit, voltages, and AMP with are suitable for the country you are living in.
Adjustable tilling depth and width:
It's important to check if the tiller has adjustable tilling depth and width, as it will increase its efficiency and improve how well your soil will be tilled.
Engine:
The engine of the tiller matters the most when choosing the best tiller. If your gas-powered engine has around 100cc or more, that means it's a heavy-duty tiller and is mostly useful for large gardens. A heavy four-cycle engine has greater efficiency and is powerful. If you plan on cultivating a small garden bed, you can look for battery-powered engines or cordless tillers, as they have enough battery to cover small spaces.
If your work is excessive, then look for heavy gas-powered or corded tillers because they have a steady power source, and you won't have to worry about the battery running out before your work.
Tiller material and design:
The tiller should be made from durable solid material for a lifetime asset, and the design should feel sturdy and user-friendly.
We have written all there is to know about choosing the best large garden tiller, and we hope to help you make the decision that is worthy of your investment. We hope you get the right one for you and have an amazing time gardening away! Thank you for putting your trust in us and reading through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to till your soil for gardening?
Tilled soil is not always necessary for gardening, as it depends on the condition of the soil and the specific type of gardening you plan to do. Tilling is common for breaking up compacted soil and mixing in amendments. Still, over-tilling can disrupt soil structure and harm beneficial organisms. Some gardeners prefer no-till methods, such as using raised beds or lasagna gardening, which can reduce the need for tilling and promote healthy soil. Assessing your soil and researching the best approach for your gardening goals is important.
What is a rear tine roto-tiller?
A rear tine roto-tiller is a type of tiller with its tines located behind the wheels at the back of the machine. This configuration provides increased traction and allows for deeper tilling. It is typically used for larger gardens or commercial applications. The Earthquake Victory Rear Tine Tiller is an example found on Amazon.
What size tiller is best for a garden?
The size of the tiller needed for a garden depends on the size of the garden itself. For small gardens up to 1,500 square feet, a cultivator or mini-tiller with a width of 9-12 inches should suffice. A mid-size tiller with a width of 16-18 inches is recommended for larger gardens. For very large gardens, a rear-tine tiller with a width of 20-24 inches or more may be necessary.
What Option of Large Garden Tiller is Best for You?
All in all, it's important to consider your own needs and preferences when making a large garden tiller purchase.
Each of the options presented has certain benefits that could help you improve your gardening experience, whether it be faster performance, higher horsepower, or even increased maneuverability. Ultimately, it just comes down to what choice works best for you and what will help you utilize your outdoor space to its full potential.
Remember to always do research and read reviews to make sure you fully understand how each option differs from the other. Be sure to find a tiller that is of high quality, durable, and made of reliable parts because this investment is worth making if you are a serious gardener.
By doing so, we are confident you will find the perfect large garden tiller for your home!
Items reviewed:
1. Sun Joe Electric Garden Tiller
