How do I choose a rototiller?

A four horsepower model is easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. If you're tilling an entire yard for grass seeding or a large garden, then do yourself a favor and go with a rear-tined unit. If the ground is especially hard or rocky, you should also choose a model with counter-rotating tines.

How do I know what kind of tiller I need?

For small gardens less than 1,500 square feet, you can get away with a mini-tiller, sometimes called a cultivator. For a medium-size garden, you probably need a mid-size tiller with a 5-horsepower engine. For gardens larger than 5,000 square feet, you'll want a heavy-duty tiller with at least a 6-horsepower engine.

How much horsepower does it take to run a 5 foot rototiller?

Consider this: A typical 5-ft rotary tiller with four tines can be run by a 25-hp tractor and the same 5-ft rotary tiller with six tines would need a 31-hp tractor to operate the tiller at peak performance. A 40-hp requirement jumps to nearly 50 hp with six tines.

What kind of tiller is easiest to use?

While they aren't common, mid-tine tillers are the easiest of the three types to maneuver. Their engines are located directly over their tines, which distributes their weight in an evenly balanced way. This ease of use makes them a great choice for gardeners or farmers with large plots to till.

What kind of tiller should I use on my lawn?

For many yards, either a front tine or rear tine garden tiller will work well for this process. If you're seeding a small patch of grass, a cultivator might be better for the job. Give the soil in place at least one pass with your tiller.

Rototillers | Buying tips, maintenance and operation.

Is a front or rear tine tiller better?

Rear tine tillers are considered stronger, can turn the soil deeper, are better suited for creating new beds thoroughly, can chomp through tougher and rocky ground and work on larger areas faster due to being wider.

Should you remove grass before tilling?

Should I remove grass before tilling? Yes, you should remove the grass before tilling so that you get a smoother run for the blades. Plus, the older grass won't regrow if you remove all the grass before you till the ground.

Are small tillers worth it?

The lightweight of small tillers makes them easy to handle and generally more user-friendly than larger machines. And in addition to maneuverability, small tillers are easier to store. Many models have folding handles for compact storage so they'll take up less space when they're not in use (which is most of the year).

Is a gas or electric tiller better?

Gas cultivators are heavier than their electric counterparts. However, at about 25 pounds on average, they're still much lighter than garden tillers. The heavier weight and increased power of gas cultivators make them better suited to certain tasks: Blending dense soil and amendments.

Is a garden tiller worth it?

Tillers are better for larger jobs.

Tillers have the power and weight to do the difficult digging on big jobs. Their tines are large enough to dig deeply and are designed to kick out rocks. Their wider working surfaces cover more ground per pass. Many models are self-propelled to greatly reduce operator fatigue.

How much PTO HP do I need?

Remember, you need to match the tractor to the job you want to do. If you want to operate a five-foot cutter (shredder), a good rule of thumb is 20 PTO horsepower (not engine horsepower). A six-foot cutter requires roughly 30 PTO horsepower.

How much HP do you need for a 6 foot tiller?

Recommended PTO HP: 35-50. Hitch Requirement: Cat. I. Depth of Cut: 6" Max.

What's the difference between a tiller and cultivator?

What is a Cultivator? The purpose of a lawn tiller is to break up hard and compact soil, whereas a garden cultivator like the Husqvarna T300RH petrol cultivator serves to mix up soil that is already loose and stir in compost or fertiliser so that it is ready for planting.

When's the best time to buy a rototiller?

If you are lucky enough to score a good deal on a tiller of your own, don't be so quick to pack your new purchase in the back of the shed until next spring – you'll be needing it just a few months. Fall is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for spring planting, so keep it accessible.

Are rear tine tillers easier to use?

The rear tined tiller is the heaviest and most powerful tiller, and consequently the most expensive. They are easier to use, especially with rocks or large roots involved, but they are not quite as maneuverable as the front tine tiller and may be difficult to get into some tight corners.

How many amps is good for a tiller?

Motor Power: You should get a tiller that is powerful enough for your needs and requirements. This motor power is given as either 8 amps to 10 amps or 20 volts to 40 volts, where a higher rating results in better performance.

Are electric tiller worth the money?

Electric tillers are an invaluable garden tool, saving you hours of hard work, sweat, and backache. Unlike gas-powered rivals, they're easy to start, very manageable, and most are a lot more affordable.

What should I look for in a garden tiller?

The most important factors to look for when choosing or renting a tiller are the engine type, power, tine position and build quality. Gas, electric and cordless battery powered tillers each have their own advantages to consider when buying a garden tiller, as do the differences between front and rear tine tillers.

What's the best small garden tiller?

Will grass grow back after tilling?

After the tiller breaks through the remaining grass and loosens the soil, the grass remaining in the soil still can grow from its roots and/or seeds. Unless you want to fight weeds and grass throughout the gardening season, remove the remaining grass before you plant crops, advises the National Gardening Association.

What to do after Rototilling?

After rototilling the lawn, take a few minutes to go over the surface with a rake. Make sure you haven't missed anything and that the surface is smooth and free of debris. Allow the worksite to rest for a week or more.

Can I just till weeds?

Pulling up weeds allows air and sunlight to dry the soil better. Do not till the soil -- weed-covered or not -- when the soil is wet. Your foot traffic compacts the wet soil, and the moving tiller tines can not as effectively move and break up muddy clumps as they churn through the dirt.