In a year, everything in your garden undergoes some major changes including your plants and your garden soil. These changes are sometimes positive for example, the development of your smaller plants into stronger and fruitful ones. However, some negative changes also strike your garden annually like the transformation of your premium garden soil into a more compact and stiffer one.
If you know something about gardening then you should be aware of the importance of loose soil; the type of soil through which air can circulate easily, roots could, effortlessly, penetrate more depths to reap the hidden treasure of soil. In simpler words, if you won’t bring the soil back into loose and well-aerated form, odds are you might lose even the positive outcomes.
Fortunately, technology has helped us a lot in this respect and today, you don’t have to go down on your knees for hours to overturn or stir the soil. To save you from such back-breaking efforts, a wide range of front tine tillers are available in the market.
These tillers are not only compact and easy to operate but also quite powerful. Besides assisting in tilling, weeding, and mixing fertilisers, some models come with additional attachments, by which, you can use your tiller as a garden tractor, simultaneously.
However, choosing one model out of this dense saturation is, understandably, the most confusing task. Thus, we have compiled some best front tine tillers in this article along with their detailed reviews. We didn’t only study their general specs but also tested each tiller, mentioned below, to check whether it is worth your precious money or just another overrated junk. So, just go through the list and pick out the most suitable tiller for your garden.
Table of Contents
Best Front Tine tillers 2022 Comparison Table
7 Best Front Tine Tillers
1.Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller
All those looking for a device that could act as more than just a tiller should try this model for sure. This Tazz front tine tiller is 2-in-1 machinery that acts as both a tiller and cultivator.
If you don’t know, the basic difference between tiller and cultivator is that the tiller is used for somewhat heavy-duty and large scale jobs. On the other hand, cultivators are small in size and used to aerate the soil of small gardens or narrower garden beds. The general tilling path of this machine is twenty-one inches which you can reduce to 16 inches or even 11 inches by removing outer teeth and protective shields.
Besides this standout feature of this Tazz tiller, there are also some elements that I found quite impressive and one of them is its being fuel-efficient. Within the main unit, a strong 79cc power engine has mounted which you can start, without any hassle, just by pulling the smooth recoil.
Speaking of build quality, then its gear transmission system is made up of bronze and the remaining body, including tines, comprises forget steel. By using steel, instead of iron, the manufacturer didn’t only reduce the chances of corrosion attack but also minimise the overall weight of the machine.
Also, the forged steel tines are strong enough to till through even the toughest and clumpy soil without getting damaged. While operating the tiller, I experienced a very impressive control and the credit goes to its down-to-ground centre of gravity.
Last but not the least, the manufacturer also has added some features for customization, for example, the tilling depths can be increased up to eleven inches. Likewise, you can adjust the position of handles according to your height, by choosing one of the four adjustment options. Backed by a three-year limited warranty, this gas-powered tiller possesses everything which makes it our number-1 front tine tiller.
2.Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Tiller
Looking for something with a solid build, higher torque, and balanced design? If so, then your search might end on this earthquake front tine tiller. The machinery gets power from the 4-cycle, 99cc motor which oscillates repeatedly to generate a torque of about 3.32 lbs.
This super-powerful torque force is sufficient to aerate almost all kinds of soil, from lightly compressed to extremely compacted one. To test the capability of this front tine tiller, I made it run over the rocky soil of a non-touched landscape – to prep my new garden and it dressed the soil pretty well. For better results, I suggest dampening the soil before tilling.
The assembly is not too troublesome nor does it require professional tools. All you need is a wrench set and you’ll be able to start your tilling operation within a few minutes. After that, just pull the smooth recoil and the engine will start to till the never-ending soil trajectory.
Since the base is kept near the ground, the entire weight is completely distributed around the centre of gravity to keep the machine well-balanced. This lower base, in turn, reduces the chances of the tiller flipping over while turning. Also, you don’t have to push the machine manually to turn the dime. Just navigate the unit and it will keep running as per your command.
Not only tiller, but you can convert it into a cultivator as well, by removing outer teeth. Doing so also doesn’t require much effort or technical assistance and you’ll be able to transform the unit within a fraction of seconds. With the help of the plough lever, you can adjust the teeth according to the tilling depths you want to achieve.
Aside from working as a tiller and cultivator, it also acts as a plougher. All in all, it’s one of the most versatile and powerful tools I’ve used up till now. To use it for different purposes, all you need to do is to change the power settings (activate plough lever for heavy tilling and activate only front tines for lighter jobs).
3.Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller
No doubt that the power and performance of gas-powered tillers are unmatchable but this Sun Joe electric tiller is an exception here. Before moving towards its specs, let’s first recall how it would save you from the guilt of deteriorating your environment.
First of all, it doesn’t drink fuel to work which means your environment won’t be contaminated with dark and dense fumes of toxins. Similarly, it’s much quieter than the Gas-Powered ones so it won’t disturb your neighbours and the wildlife of your garden by giving out grating roars.
Other than being environment-friendly, this sun joe front tiller works much better than other commercially available electric tillers. For example, it runs at a satisfying speed; 370 RPM. Even some gas-powered tillers are not capable of running at this generous pace due to being heavy.
Since the manufacturer made it a mid-range and average-performing unit, the tilling width is kept only sixteen inches but I didn’t find any problem regarding tilling depth. In a single pass, the soil can be turned up to eight inches with the six steel angled teeth – the same depth you get with gas-powered ones.
The handles are collapsible which helped me a lot to store the unit inside my garage as there’s not much room for newer equipment. Also, the wheels can be adjusted to one of the three positions. Lastly, it’s reasonably priced and you can easily purchase it without stretching your budget out.
4. YARDMAX YT5328 Compact Front Tine Tiller
This yard max compact front tiller is also a powerful machine that could help both the residential users and semi-commercial landscapers to dig through their stubborn soil, clay, and sand. This machinery is also a gas-powered one that contains a mighty 98cc engine in its heart.
Just as the previous model, this front tine tiller can also be used as a cultivator by removing the outer tines. Its general tilling width is 21 inches which you can reduce up to 16-11 inches. Similar to the tilling width, tilling depths can also be changed from the generous 11 inches to an average of 7 inches.
Not only this power tool could help you dig around the broad and tighter corners, but you can also achieve the desired soil by a few passes with its robust 8-inches wide tine and 180 RPM rotational speed. The build quality is also satisfying but we can’t say that it’s the best.
The machine is easy to start and use and to make it more flexible, features like adjustable handlebars and multiple control operations are added. Assembling the component is not too time-consuming and took me only 30-40 minutes to do so.
While using in the reverse direction, the machine can dress the soil up to six inches deep while it does quite well and deeper in the forward direction. Since this tiller is fairly lightweight and compact, I was able to navigate it single-handedly.
All in all, this tine tiller is a good option only if you are up to some lightweight soil dressing. On the other hand, if your garden soil is full of concrete chunks or rocks, you need to get something heavier.
5. Earthwise TC70001 Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator
Earthwise brand has been functional in the market of gardening and household appliances for more than 120 years and it is well-known for its affordable electric rototillers.
This model of Earthwise is a corded front tine tiller that is specifically made to facilitate the users so they can tackle their soil aeration chores quickly and without any hassle. To make it a perfect gardening tool, a long power cord is provided which is enough to reach every portion of your small to the medium-sized yard.
Just as other front tine tillers, this product also requires some assembly where you have to attach some components with the main unit such as handles, wheels, and other parts. It took me about half an hour to assemble the device, without any professional support or high-tech tools. In the end, just attach the power extension and you’ll be good to go on pushing the quick starter button.
The tines are made up of high-grade steel which can be shortened and expanded up to 7-11 inches respectively. The speed and tilling depth remain constant and you can dig the soil up to 8″. For further aeration, pull the machine in reverse and till the same portion of soil repeatedly. While using this front tine tiller, I found that it is one of the most lightweight products on the list and you can easily move it back and forth by lifting manually.
Speaking of convenience then the well-padded handles are the part of the design which make it possible for you to push the tool effortlessly, without numbing your hands. The wheels are also retractable which ensure a smooth slide over both narrower beds and wider lawns. Also, due to its compact size, you won’t have to arrange a big room to store the tiller.
6. Greenworks Cordless Tiller
When you are up to light-duty gardening chores like preparing your garden soil in winters for spring for reseeding, or amending the soil to establish vegetable beds, etc. there’s no logic behind getting monster gas-powered rototillers. Such heavy types of machinery not only irritate the wildlife but also disturb the people living around you.
The perfect tool which could help you, in this case, is the battery-powered front tine tillers, like this one of GreenWorks. I have been using various cordless tools until now but the only pain every model gives me is their limited battery life and inconsistent power. However, the problem has been solved by adding a 40V battery in the unit which can generate enormous power without giving off roars and fumes.
The tiller also comes in a dismantled form and you have to assemble it. I’d suggest you put the given batteries on charge before moving towards the assembling phase so they get fully charged by then. Adjoining the parts was not an easy thing at all and I had to read and reread the manual book for instructions again and again.
However, after an hour-long effort, I succeeded in assembling all the parts. To insert the battery in the corresponding port, I also had to push it slightly harder but doing so didn’t harm the interiors which exhibit the quality built. A battery indicator is also provided which shows red light on low charge and turns green when it gets charged completely.
It’s up to you whether you want two or four blades. For narrower regions, I’ll advise you to go with a two-blade setup and vice versa. Whatever the setup you adopt, the speed of the tiller is extremely fast and you have to hold the unit firmly to manage speed.
The device is somewhat heavy but much lighter than gas-powered appliances. The option of depth adjustments are given but I didn’t find them very useful. To extend the life of the tiller even further, it would be best if you clean and lubricate the unit after each job. Also, remove the battery from the unit and store it separately in a dry place.
7. GardenTrax Tiller Gas Powered Mini Cultivator
As the name indicates, this mini tiller is also one of the best front tine tillers to aerate the soil of your small garden and narrow garden beds. However, it’s not only its compact size and lightweight assembly which make this tool stand on our list.
This gardenTrax gas-powered tiller is extremely efficient, powerful and durable. The unit contains a lightweight 2-cycle, 43cc engine at its heart which generates enough power to break through the toughest soil. Also, it does so without consuming too much fuel which is the biggest advantage in this era of inflation.
The tiling path can be adjusted from six to twelve inches while the tilling depth is constant; 6 inches. However, by adjusting the position of small wheels on one of the two heights, I found that the tilling depths can be altered a little.
To navigate the device, a navigation trigger is given on the handlebar and since the handles are anti-slippery and easy to control, you can even operate the tool singlehandedly, without any concern. Operating the tiller often feels like you are navigating a toy car. However, the build is quite impressive and it’s also backed by a 2-year warranty to impart more confidence.
Buyer’s guide
All those who are going to purchase a tiller for the very first time must be quite confused about which type of tiller they should get. In the market, there are two main types of options available; rear tine and front tine tillers. As the name implies, front tine tillers have the wheel on the back and tines on the front while the rear tine tiller possesses tines on the rear end.
However, there are also some other points of difference between these two tools and the biggest one of them is the power. Rear Tine tillers are much more powerful and that’s why they are largely used for large-scale or heavy-duty soil amendment. On the other hand, front tine tillers are more compact and less powerful than former ones and are mostly used for small or medium-duty aeration tasks.
Thus while buying the front tine tillers, the one thing which you should keep in mind is that you are going to use them for non-commercial, semi-commercial, or residential purposes. So, always get the tiller that is not only powerful enough but also fuel and space-efficient.
Even if you are going to purchase a tiller to aerate the soil of your garden beds, don’t sacrifice their tilling powers for convenience. Check whether the tool is offering an adjustable tilling path or not. Adjustable tilling width and depth will make it possible for you to till around the soil of both wide lawn patches and narrow beds.
Also, look at whether the tool is easy to start, navigate, and pull so every member of your family could partake to establish your family garden. If it is too heavy, the females and kids won’t be able to operate or control it, whereas if it is too lightweight, it will not be able to dig deep enough.
FAQs
Conclusion
Still not sure which front tine tiller would be your perfect fit? If so, then just have a look at our top-three picks and we’re sure you’ll find what you are looking for.
- 1Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller due to its dual nature, lightweight and compact assembly, and flexible tilling width and depth.
- Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller due to its impressive tilling depth, adjustable wheels, collapsible handlebars, and satisfying speed.
- YARDMAX YT5328 Compact Front Tine Tiller due to its quick starter mode, amazing tine rotational speed, and single-handed navigation.
These three tillers are not only our favourite but also possess excellent ratings, perform extraordinarily and suit almost every gardener. For further assistance, swipe down to read our buyer’s guide.