Earth is the home of every plant. With the best tiller for breaking new ground, you can create a cozy and hospitable environment when you are deciding on gardening.
Really, gardening can be a pretty hectic and time-consuming job, whether it’s on a new or an established ground. And, only healthy and cultivated soil can ensure a healthy plantation. Moreover, the soil in the new ground is prone to be hard, which becomes difficult for the plant roots to grow.
Hence, it’s essential to identify the best tillers that will assist your gardening plan and quicken the process effortlessly. Having said that, the real challenge is finding the ground tiller suitable for your garden. A lot of features must be considered depending on your requirements.
Hence, this article recommends some of the top-quality garden tillers suitable for large gardens, small farms, or lawns. Also, I will address some key information about its different types, functionality, buying guide, and so on.
Keep reading to learn more about the tiller machine.
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Top 3 Tiller for Breaking New Ground in 2022
In a hurry? These 3 are the Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground in 2022:
What Does a Tiller Do?
In a general sense, a ground tiller is used for breaking hard soil. It helps you prepare the surface for planting. Depending on the users’ comfort and requirements, you will find front-tine tillers and rear-tine tillers. If you are looking for the best tiller for small farms or simple lawn tillers, then the front tine tillers should be a suitable choice.
On the other hand, you will need a rear-tine tiller to break new ground with a tiller or deal with hard soil. They are strong, powerful, and heavy-duty tillers compared to front-tine tillers. So, a tiller is a machine that helps to loosen up the soil so that you can easily cultivate them and plant trees.
Now, you might be wondering when there are so many tools available for gardening whether you need another tool like a tiller. Well, not only does the tiller loosen up the ground soil, but you can achieve some additional advantages. With a tiller, you can clean up the weeds, create a passage for water retention, bring nutritious soil on top, and so on.
Moreover, the tiller sends the dead plants and fallen leaves deeper into the soil. Though the best time for tilling is the fall season, you will enjoy the benefits later if you use it in the winter season. As time passes, they enrich the soil with more nutrients. Eventually, you will notice more sprouts in your garden area.
Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground Comparison
| Image | Name | Summary | Our Rating | Get It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller | Free of noise. Strong and powerful. Easy to assemble and store. Requires minimal maintenance. | Check Price | |
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Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller | Easy to assemble. Suitable for small areas. Lightweight and easy to use. Features instant start button. It comes with four heavy-duty steel tines. | Check Price | |
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Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Tiller | Easy to maneuver. Versatile and reliable. Easy use and maintain. Features adjustable tilling width. Extremely easy to keep balance. | Check Price | |
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Greenworks 8 Amp 10-Inch Corded Tiller | Lightweight and portable. Easy to assemble and use. Ensures smooth and noise-free operation. Suitable for removing weeds, roots and mixing compost. | Check Price | |
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Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller | Easy to assemble and use. Features one-touch start option. Ensures built-in safety features. A bit heavy. | Check Price |
5 Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground
From the best tiller for a woman to use to the best rear tine tiller for breaking new ground, I have searched it all. There are just too many tillers with versatile features that it was not easy to pick five best of the best tillers. Investing a complete 52 hours of research and analysis, I have chosen the top five reliable tillers that are a pretty good deal considering performance, features, and budget.
Whether it’s for the small garden or large land, personal use, or professional purposes, you will get them all. In this review, I will incorporate the strengths and drawbacks of every tiller so that choosing the right one becomes easy for you!
1. Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller
To begin with the first tiller, I have chosen the best electric tiller for breaking new ground from Sun Joe. It’s durable, budget-friendly, and most importantly, electric-powered, which makes it popular for most users. Certainly, gas-operated tillers are expensive and beyond affordability for most users.
Hence, Sun Joe TJ604E is a good option for them. Additionally, it comes with a 13.5 AMP powerful motor. Therefore, you can easily use the machine to cultivate the land or break the soil with hard rocks.
Moreover, the machine comes with 6 stainless steel angled tines. The tines have 16 inches in length and 8 inches in depth to dig the soil deep enough to prepare the bed for gardening. You also don’t need to retile the land frequently as the tiller is movable up to three positions.
So, considering the build construction, user-friendly features, and performance, it’s undoubtedly one of the robust tillers in the market at present. If you are looking for the best rear tine tiller under $1000, you should definitely keep it short-listed.
- Free of noise
- Strong and powerful
- Easy to assemble and store
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Additional elbow grease is needed for extra depth
2. Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller
Here I bring the best hand tiller for the small area. Sometimes renovating an abandoned place into a garden is always a great idea. For this purpose, here is the Earthwise TC70001 electric tiller that requires no expensive gas refueling. The tiller is from the popular brand Earthwise.
The tiller comes in a compact size and an affordable price range. Moreover, it comes with a powerful 8.5-amp motor that will ensure satisfying performance breaking the soil. The tines can dig up to 8 inches in depth which is enough for losing the soil.
Furthermore, the 11 inches tiller can efficiently cut through grass, pluck small roots and break heavy soil into the sand texture. Besides, breaking ground is not an easy job—the tiller jerks and bumps on the ground.
Hence, there are padded ergonomic handlebars that will help you hold the grip comfortably and have good control and balance over the machine. Moreover, it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver. So, gardening will become a hassle-free job.
- Easy to assemble
- Suitable for small areas
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Features instant start button
- It comes with four heavy-duty steel tines
- Weeds tend to get stuck
- Requires an electric outlet
3. Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Tiller
How about having a tiller that you can use for cultivating and breaking new ground simultaneously! Sounds great, isn’t it? Here, I am introducing you to a versatile tiller that has achieved quite the name in most of the rototiller reviews.
This front tine tiller is from the Earthquake. To do justice to the brand name, the tiller is a strong, powerful, and robust one to ensure outstanding performance. It comes with a high-performing 99cc Viper engine that can transform all types of soil for gardening. Whether you want to prepare the bed for the plantation, do some maintenance in the summer or touch up the land in the fall, you can do it all with this tiller.
Moreover, it’s a 4 cycle tiller that you can easily attach and remove. Just by removing the outer tines and shields, you can turn it into a cultivator. Amazing, right! And to do such versatile jobs comfortably, the machine is also lightweight to handle and easy to transport.
Furthermore, this front tine tiller is also noise-free and convenient to use for any user. If you have no experience of gardening yet, don’t worry. The low center gravity of the machine will help you stay stable and keep proper balance while gardening. So, what are you waiting for? Grab it before it gets stock out.
- Easy to maneuver
- Versatile and reliable
- Easy use and maintain
- Features adjustable tilling width
- Extremely easy to keep balance
- It could be a bit difficult to assemble for new users
4. Greenworks 8 Amp 10-Inch Corded Tiller
Are you searching for the best dual rotating rear tine tiller for tough soil? If so, then you should check out this tiller from Greenworks. The tiller is user-friendly, convenient in size, and budget-friendly.
Though it’s a tiller for small gardens, the 8-amp motor ensures preparing the soil smoothly for gardening. With a 10 inches long tiller, it can dig up to 5 inches. Moreover, with the four adjustable tines, you can get versatile digging staying at one place.
Furthermore, the machine is easy to assemble and turn on. It’s so lightweight that it’s easily portable and convenient to use with built-in handles. Overall, it’s a simple tiller that is easy to use and requires small space to store.
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to assemble and use
- Ensures smooth and noise-free operation
- Suitable for removing weeds, roots and mixing compost
- Price seems a bit high
5. Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller
For the fifth of the best tiller, I have again chosen the best rear tine garden tiller from Sun Joe. This tiller contains an extremely powerful 12.5-amp motor. The motor can work at the speed of 340 rpm, which will ensure efficient tilling with perfection.
Moreover, the tiller has 16 inches’ width and 8 inches’ depth tiling capacity. The feature is enough for small gardens and rocky soil simultaneously. Unlike most tillers, the Sun Joe tiller comes with 6 angled strong and durable steel base tines.
So, you can expect it to perform with satisfaction for years. The wheels of the machine are also easy to adjust and maneuver. Apart from breaking the ground, you can also use the machine to remove the weeds.
Overall, the size of the machine is compact, and it will require a small space to store. The collapsible handles will also allow you to carry them anywhere. Lastly, the most distinct feature of the tiller is the one-touch start option. So, even if you don’t have any experience running a tiller, you can comfortably use it.
- Easy to assemble and use
- Features one-touch start option
- Ensures built-in safety features
- A bit heavy
- Not recommended for large lands
What Are the Types of Tillers?
While you are surfing the internet desperately looking for the best lawn tiller, the versatile types of hand tiller, craftsman tiller, commercial tillers with diverse features must have confused you. Though there is a wide variety of tillers out there, there are basically two types considering the ground condition. One is the rear tine tiller, and the other one is the front tine tiller.
Rear-Tine Tillers
The largest, most powerful, and heaviest tillers in the market are rear tine tillers. In this machine, the power engine is set in the front and the tiller at the rear. Usually, this tiller is operated by hand, and you can break the hardest ground up to 18 inches at a time.
Also, it would help if you were unaware of the elements you will find in a new ground. There might be rocks, debris, bricks, etc., that will make breaking the ground difficult for you. Hence, no matter how hard or poor the status of the soil is, the rear tine tiller will make the job done easily. Having said that, this tiller is quite heavy to deal with.
Undoubtedly, when you are looking for the best tiller for large garden, you must choose the rear tine tiller. The tiller can smoothly break down the rocky soil or untouched new ground effortlessly. You also don’t need to worry about the wheels or rotor tines.
Because not only is the machine robust, but also the rear rotor tines are properly guarded and strongly protected with a steel safety cover. All you need to do is operate the steer and keep your eyes on the depth. The machine will loosen the soil in no time.
So, if you are looking for a large garden tiller or heavy-duty rototiller, know that the rear tine tillers would be suitable for the job. This type of tiller is not only powerful but also built strong to withstand the pressure. So, if you intend to break completely new and hard soil, the rear tine tiller will be your best buddy.
Front-Tine Tillers
Tiller usually refers to front tine tillers. It’s also known as cultivators, which are slightly bigger and more powerful compared to regular tillers. But, the performance of this tiller ensures deeper cultivations than general cultivators.
In terms of design, the front tine tiller comes with tines in the front and non-powered wheels at the back. It’s also constructed in a convenient size to maneuver easily. Contrasting to the rear tine tiller, the front tine tiller is lightweight and easy to operate.
The front tine tillers can break ground up to 18 inches at a time. And, you will find such tillers powered by electric or gas engines. However, it’s less powerful than the rear tine tiller.
Having said that, you can still use this tiller for new ground, but it would be better if you already knew about the soil type and the elements in the soil you will encounter. Hence, it would be better if the lawn or garden size was small to medium. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a cheap tiller without compromising quality, the front tine tiller is a good option.
Front Tine Vs Rear Tine Vs Hydraulic Tiller
At this point, you already have a pretty good idea about tillers, and it’s two types. Sometimes, you may find another kind of tiller which is a hydraulic tiller. Hence, to remove any sort of confusion regarding tillers, here I will draw the difference among the three.
The front tine tillers have tines in the front. They are generally used for small gardens or lawns due to their lightweightedness and easy operation. Moreover, the users love this tiller because they are easy to maneuver.
However, considering the capacity and features, the front tine tillers are suitable for moderate gardening jobs to work with compacted soil. As the size is compact and convenient, they come in an affordable price range.
Overall, they are suitable for moderate gardening jobs to work in small to medium-sized gardens with compacted soil.
Compared to the front tine tillers, the rear tine tillers are heavy and powerful. Hence, it’s used for heavy tasks for large gardens with hard soil. If the soil is completely new, then getting a rear tine tiller would be a wiser choice.
Though the price is a bit high, it’s preferred by professional gardeners. If you need to work on a large land, a rear tine tiller is a machine you should hold on to.
Then comes the hydraulic tiller. It is mainly used for landscaping. The machine comes with a tow to remove rocks and weed easily. The greatest advantage of a hydraulic tiller is, it’s easy to counter-rotate. The tines can move forward or rotate in a reverse direction.
So, each tiller is designed for a certain job and has its own area of expertise. Some are great for breaking soil, whereas some are designed for mixing. You must choose the right one depending on your needs.
Cultivator Vs. Tiller
Till now, you have two types of tillers. However, according to the type of motor used in the tiller, it can be categorized into three types: front tine tillers, rear tine tillers, and cultivators. The purpose of these is the same, but the power generating system makes the ultimate difference. Have a look at the basic difference between a tiller and a cultivator here!
Tillers can be operated through electricity or gas. Considering the garden size, soil type, and purpose of using the machine, both of these power systems have their strengths and drawbacks. Besides, the cultivator and a tiller may look the same but are often used for individual needs.
For instance, a tiller is large and more powerful. It’s used for breaking the soil. When you are planning to transform the bare land into a completely new garden, a tiller will dig deep to break the soil open. Hence, depending on the size of the garden and soil type, you get to choose from front tine and rear tine tiller.
On the other hand, a cultivator is used solely for cultivation. After breaking the soil or in an already set up garden, the cultivator helps to mix up the fertilizers. As a result, it facilitates easy irrigation or weeding.
Compared to the tiller, a cultivator is small, lightweight, and easy to operate. Hence, it’s often known as a mini-tiller. With a cultivator, you can fertilize the tight spaces to fertilize the soil. In a nutshell, a tiller is used as the primary stage for gardening, whereas a cultivator is used for final bed preparation making the soil ready for planting seeds. If you are looking for the best mini-tiller, you should rather find a cultivator instead of tillers.
What Are the Must-have Features to Consider to Find the Best Tiller for Groundbreaking?
You may go through pages of garden tiller reviews, but that won’t determine the best tiller for your needs. Because tillers have versatile features, and each tiller has its own specialty. Some are designed for fertilizing, whereas some are for claying soils. Hence, to find the suitable one for your job, you must focus on some essential features.
Power Source
Before you purchase, you must think about the power source. What kind of power source would be convenient for you? Is it electric, manual, or gasoline operated? Depending on the available power near your work area, you can choose the power source you need. If the place has no electric connection, it will be wise to go for the best cordless tiller. Also, find the tiller that is economical and requires the cheapest power source.
Type of Tiller
You will find two types of tines in tillers; rear and front. Though both of them are designed for breaking new ground, the rear tine is for hard soil. Therefore, it’s heavy, robust, and expensive.
Also, the rear-tine tillers require engine power. But, they are efficient in digging deep any ground. In contrast, the front tines are lightweight, affordable, and eligible to break the soil with moderate hardness.
Size of the Garden
The size of the garden is another significant factor to consider. Depending on the garden size, you need to determine the power source. If you intend to work in a large garden, you will need a large heavy-duty tiller.
It will prepare the soil in less time. Also, you will require a continuous power connection to work on a large garden without any hindrance. Thus, you can go for the best gas tiller for breaking new ground.
Engine
When you are looking for the best tiller, you must focus on the engine. You will find two types of engines; electrical and gasoline. Both of them have strengths and limitations.
The electrical tiller would be suitable to work continuously if it comes with a rechargeable battery. On the other hand, the gasoline-powered tiller requires only gas and no connection with the power source. Therefore, it is the best choice to work with continuously.
The Hardness of the Soil
Before you decide upon the tiller you will purchase, you must consider the type of soil of the new ground. If the soil is hard and rocky, then you need a heavy-duty and robust tiller. The tiller must have the capacity to withstand pressure while preparing the bed for gardening.
If the garden is large, then you can go for the dual rotating rear tine tiller. If it has additional features like adjustable handles, tires, depth of tilling, it will make the job much easier. So, know the soil type first to purchase the right tiller.
Tilling Depth
Generally, most of the rear tine tillers come with adjustable tines. They can dig up to 8 inches at a time. If you also want the digging depth within this range, you should choose the best rear tine garden tiller. But, if you want to go deeper, then you should go for the tiller with further range.
FAQ
Q) What is the best electric tiller?
Answer: There are versatile electric tillers from reliable brands. It’s not possible to name one tiller as the best because the users have diverse preferences. However, according to my research and considering the essential features, the Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller is quite popular among users.
Q) What is the best rear tine tiller on the market?
Answer: There are many popular rear tine tillers on the market at present. They are not only from renowned brands but also ensure satisfactory performance. Among them, the Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller is a popular name in terms of durability, reliability, and performance.
Q) What kind of tiller do I need?
Answer: It’s an important question to ponder before purchasing the tiller. You must consider the soil type, power source, and purpose of using the tiller. Then, you can go for the rear tine tillers, if you are going to work with a large open garden. But, if the garden is small and the soil is softer, the front tine tiller will do the job.
Q) Who makes southland tillers?
Answer: Users go gaga over southland tiller reviews. Southlander is a popular brand originally manufactured by MAT Engine Technologies, LLC. They are renowned for manufacturing cultivators, augers, two and four-cycle soil preparation machines. It’s situated in Long Grove, Illinois.
Q) What size tiller do I need?
Answer: The size of the tiller is an important aspect. Generally, a 5 ft rotary tiller with four tines can be operated by a 25 hp tractor. But, if it has six tines, it would require a 31 hp tractor. So, the number of tines is related to the engine. Hence, choose the size of the tiller accordingly.
Final Verdict
Now you can give life to your dream garden as the best tiller for breaking new ground exists. Certainly, there are so many options for you to choose from: a self-propelled tiller, honda tiller, honda mini tiller, cultivator, and so on. Hence, it’s important to think about the purpose, frequency of use, and type of soil before you make up your decision.
Also, don’t forget to qualify the tiller with the must-have features to make the best investment of your money. So, stay focused, grab the best tiller of your need and enjoy gardening.
