Manually tilling your garden – no matter the size – can be backbreaking labor. In steps the handy little front tine tiller, bringing engineering and mechanical advantage to the rescue.
With so many brands and models available it can be challenging to know you’re getting the right tool.
But with a little help from your handy garden dandies, finding the best front tine tiller for your plot will be easy peasy. Read on for reviews of our top 5 picks and helpful tips for purchase and use.
Top Front Tine Tillers – Reviews
1. Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator, Black
The Sun Joe TJ604E is a pintsized powerhouse that gets the job done. The foldable handle and light frame is easy to store and can be used one handed.
We love the adjustable wheel height that means it can easily accommodate use by any family member without necessitating stooping.
And its durable construction will have this tiller lasting season after season. Much more than you’d expect from a front tine tiller under $150!
For a small to medium garden, Sun Joe is an excellent choice.
Specifications:
- Type: Electric, corded
- Power: 14.5 amps
- Tilling dimensions: 16 in. wide, 8 in. deep
- Weight: 27 lbs.
Pros:
- Powerful electric motor
- Energy efficient
- Inexpensive
- Durable construction
- Easy to handle and store
Cons:
- Extension cord required
2. Craftsman CMXGVAMKC30A 12-Inch 30cc 4-Cycle Gas Powered Cultivator/Tiller, Liberty Red
Craftsman brings us the handling and storability of an electric tiller, with the power and reliability of gas.
It has a foldable handle, 6 exceptionally durable tines, weighs in at under 40 lbs, and has no cord to hold you back.
We especially appreciate the variable speed throttle, which lets you till at your own pace and won’t send your tiller flying across the yard as soon as you start the engine.
Specifications:
- Type: gas
- Power: 30 cc, 4-cycle engine
- Tiling dimensions: 6-12 in. wide, 1-6 in. deep
- Weight: 38 lbs.
Pros:
- Powerful, but quiet
- Versatile, adjustable width & depth
- Maneuverable
- Durable construction
Cons:
- Fuel cost adds up
3. TACKLIFE Electric Tiller, Garden Tiller, 18/12.5 INCH Adjustable Width, 8-INCH Tilling Depth, Adjustable Wheels, Foldable Size, Low Noise, Lightweight Design
Another powerful little electric tiller comes from Tacklife. We really dig the adjustable tilling dimensions and how easy it is to maneuver and store.
And the low noise operation and anti-vibration system make one of the most comfortable to use small front tine tillers on the market.
It’s so lightweight, however, that it can be a little challenging to handle in tougher soil. Rocks and roots will cause serious bucking, and we do not recommend this tiller for never-tilled or compacted soil.
Specifications:
- Type: electric, corded
- Power: 13.5 amps
- Tilling dimensions: 12.5-18 in. wide, 8 in. deep
- Weight: 22 lbs.
Pros:
- Powerful, but quiet
- Exceptionally lightweight
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Cord limits range
- Not for rocky soil
4. Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Tiller Cultivator with 99cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine, 5 Year Warranty
For big jobs and rocky, tough soil look no further than Earthquake.
The exceptionally powerful motor for its size will have you speeding through your plots with ease. And at almost 100 lbs. it is very stable and resistant to jumps and bucks when encountering debris.
And though the size makes it a bit more cumbersome to store, the durability and 5-year warranty is not to be discounted for medium to large gardens.
Specifications:
- Type: gas
- Power: 99 cc, 4-cycle engine
- Tilling dimensions: 11-21 in. wide, 11 in. deep
- Weight: 85 lbs.
Pros:
- Super powerful
- Easy to maneuver
- Heavy, stable
Cons:
- Harder to store
- Fuel cost adds up
5. Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator
Earthwise delivers a decent electric front tine tiller at a truly incredibly price.
It’s moderately powerful, super easy to lift and store, and makes a great entry level tiller for small gardens.
Unfortunately, the tines on this tiller have been known to snap off at first encounter with rocks and especially tough roots. As it is somewhat lacking in durability, we do not recommend the Earthwise for use in dense, rocky, or compacted soils.
Specifications:
- Type: electric, corded
- Power: 8.5 amps
- Tilling dimensions: 11 in. wide, 8 in. deep
- Weight: 27 lbs.
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- Incredibly inexpensive
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Limited cord range
- Weaker blades
Buyers Guide
What Is the Difference Between Front and Rear Tine Tillers?
Before we get into what to look for in a good front tine tiller, we’re going to give a quick rundown of the difference between front and rear tine so that you know which is best for your job.
Front tine tillers
- Good for soil prep and garden maintenance
- Appropriate for small to medium areas
- Adjustable depth allow for greater versatility
Rear tine tillers
- Great for new plots and working through old vegetation
- Appropriate for large gardens and farms
- Heavy and maneuverable wheels that move the tines through soil with ease
How to Choose a Front Tine Tiller
Gas vs Electric
Gas
Gas powered front tine tillers are most appropriate for larger patches of land. Though not as eco-friendly as electric models, they are not confined by cords, outlets, or battery life.
- Reliable
- Strong
- Maneuverable
- Heavier
Electric
Electric tiller are a little less powerful than their gas counterparts, but are often cheaper. These models can be powered by cord or by battery. They are most appropriate for smaller gardens, especially corded as they require access to an outlet.
- Energy efficient
- Lightweight
- Limited range
Note: many battery powered front tine tillers take hours to charge fully. To avoid running out of juice halfway through a job, check and charge your tiller ahead of time.
Power
The power of front tine tillers is most commonly notated in amps, CCs, or RPM (revolutions per minute, referring to the speed of the blades).
The higher the amps or CCs, the more powerful the tiller will be. And the more help it will give you in propelling the tool.
When it comes to electric front tine tillers, we recommend seeking motors with 6.5 amps or higher of power. Anything less is wimpy enough that you may as well get a fully manual model and save the money.
Attachments
Depending on the makeup of your soil and your project, you may want to consider a front tine tiller that comes with handy attachments such as:
- Deeper, digging tines
- Aerator tines
- Dethatcher
- Edgers
Weight and maneuverability
Most front tine tillers are equipped with wheels, and some are even self-propelling. But you can use lightweight and heavy-duty tillers for different jobs.
Smaller scale front tine tillers generally weigh between 20-30lbs.
- Lighter front tine tillers are easy to lift, transport, and store
- They are more appropriate for loose, loamy soils
Commercial or heavy-duty models weigh much more (several hundred pounds), but generally have a propulsion system.
- Heavier front tine tillers do not jump and jolt as much as lightweight models
- They are more appropriate for dense ground like rocky, compacted, clay soils
Tiller Safety Tips
- Dress for the job. Close toed shoes, safety goggles, and gloves make handling the tiller easier and protect you from debris kicked up by the tines.
- Remove large stones and vegetation before tilling. This will lower the chance of your tiller bucking in your hands and protect your tiller.
- Check your tiller before you start. A quick look over before every use is a great habit so you can check for rust, debris, and fuel/power availability.
- Schedule regular maintenance. To keep your tiller running better, longer as well as increase your safety you should clean and maintain your tiller regularly. YouTube is an amazing resource for DIY tiller maintenance. Steve’s Small Engine Saloon covers common problems, like this video about how to fix tines that won’t turn.
- Use attachments made for your model. Don’t try to rig attachments to fit across models and brands. This could damage your tiller, or lead to dangerous malfunctions.
- Turn your tiller off before making adjustments. Even if you’re wearing gloves and goggles, don’t change make physical adjustments to your tiller while the tines are spinning. And never leave your tiller running unattended. Better safe than sorry!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a front tine tiller?
For a basic, but in depth look at how to use a front tine tiller check out Live Life DIY’s video. He uses a gas model, but many of the tips apply to electric models too.
How much do front tine tillers cost?
Depending on the intended use and light vs heavy duty, the cost of a front tine tiller varies greatly. Entry level models start around $100 and high-end tillers can cost as much as $4,000.
For occasional use in a home garden, perhaps an inexpensive electric model like Earthwise will suffice.
But for large scale farms or tough soil a commercial front tine tiller from Husqvarna is worth its weight in gold.
How deep should I till my soil?
That entirely depends on the type of soil and which crops you will be planting.
For example, greens like lettuce have relatively shallow roots and would not require deep tilling. Root vegetable, on the other hand, need a deeper till so that they can grow unobstructed by compacted clay, rocks, or existing roots.
And loamy, well aerated soils don’t need as deep of a till. While dense soils like clay need to be tilled deeper so that you can mix in soil amendments, etc.
There is not hard and fast answer, and the depth you should shoot for when tilling is different in every situation.
Conclusion
The winning combination of durability, efficiency, and thriftiness the Sun Joe TJ604E is our choice for best overall front tine tillers.
And folks less concerned about fuel costs and more invested in speed will love the variable speed throttle and hardened steel tines of the Craftsman CMXGVAMKC30A.
We hope these tips and reviews will help you find the best front tine tiller for you garden.
Happy tilling!
Table of Contents
