Get The Full Power If You Need To Dig Deep With A Rear Tine Tiller
We have to admit: it’s pretty amazing to see how many tools there are not available for the DIY gardening enthusiast, whether we’re talking about people that plant things for a hobby or those that make a living out of it. With the help of a tiller, one can loosen up the soil and prepare it for planting.
The tilling process helps prepare the soil for proper drainage, but also contributed to root growth because it breaks down its composition. If you’ve never bought a tiller before, you might be confused with the several different types that are out there, so let’s see if we can shed some light on this whole rear tile tiller thing.
Top Picks
Best for Small Gardens: EARTHQUAKE 33970 Victory Rear Tine Tiller
The EARTHQUAKE 33970 excels in many things, but it’s surprising to see how easy it is to maneuver it, making it a breeze to use even if you have a small garden.
Easiest to Operate: EARTHQUAKE 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
If there is one thing that everyone who used the 37037 can agree upon is that it is so easy to setup and use, even a 12 year-old could do it.
Bargain Buy: Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller/Cultivator
One of the best bargain buys is the Tazz 35310, a convenient and decently-powerful tiller that also doubles as a cultivator.
Best for Rough Soil: Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
“My partner is tearing up the soil with this little earth mover and he is really happy with how well it handles for his garden.” (customer review)
Best Value: YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
“This tiller has all the features, power, and size of other brands being sold at big box DIY and farm stores…except it is over $200 less expensive.” (customer review)
Best for Depth Digging: Dr Power Tw17016dmn Rear Tine Rototiller
Unlike some other similar products, this tiller can dig at depths of up to 11 inches, making it stand out from the crowd.
Know Before You Buy
It’s really important that you know what are the main features of a real tine tiller so you may know what separates it from other similar products, and what are the features you can look forward to before you buy one:
- The engine of a real tine tiller is located on the front of the gear case, with the tines located in the back section.
- They are constructed with quality materials, but they are bulkier and require more storage space compared to other types of tillers.
- Because they are regular beats, you can expect to pay more for a real tine tiller compared to the cost of smaller similar machines.
- If you’re a homeowner with a garden, a rear tine tiller with a horsepower of 6 to 8 should be enough. In general, these tillers have a horsepower that ranges between 5 and 14.
- Since the tines are operated independently, it will be easier to move these machines even if they are bulkier and considered to be more difficult to handle compared to smaller models.
- These machines are good for power-tilling compost too.
- They are suitable for gardens that are even larger than 7,500 square feet.
- A rear tine tiller usually has a tilling width between 12 and 24 inches.
- You can find these machines in models that have more than just one speed.
- You can set the tines on a real tine tiller to mover forwards if you’re looking to break up soft soil or cultivate it, or you can use the machine’s reverse motion of you want to break up difficult soil.
Pros & Cons of Rear Tine Tillers
Real tine tillers are often the choice of professional gardeners because they are heavier and they cost more money. This type of tiller is also considered more powerful because it’s usually equipped with several gears that allow the tiller to go forward, but some models also include a reverse feature. As expected, there are some advantages and drawback to using rear tine tillers, so let’s take a look to see what you can expect:
Pro: They are really good for virgin soil. Virgin soil is used to refer to soil that hasn’t been tilled before and is, therefore, harder to break through. For this type of soil, one usually requires more powerful equipment, and rear tine tillers often have what it takes to make it happen.
Con: They cost a lot. If you are not a professional gardener or if you have a small garden, it would be rather futile to invest in heavy equipment, especially since these tillers can cost quite a lot.
Pro: They are powerful. And when you have lots of land to till, power is going to matter a lot. Also, these powerful tillers are constructed with heavy-duty parts that often translate into durability. So, that’s basically two advantages in one.
Con: They can be difficult to maneuver. Of course, when you have just one big piece of soil to till, this shouldn’t necessarily be a problem, but if you have to fit it in tight corners, you are going to wish you had a smaller tiller.
Best Rear Tine Tillers
1. EARTHQUAKE 33970 Victory Rear Tine Tiller
The 33970 rear tine tiller is powered by a 212 cc Viper motor that can plow soil without ever making you feel like you’re sacrificing performance over efficiency. It is designed with a pair of counter-rotating tires that spin in a different direction as opposed to the self-propelled drive wheels. This translated into a higher force being used to dig deep in untilled ground. The reverse level is there to make sure that you back up without the need for shifting. It packs a series of features that make the Victory rear tine tiller a regular powerhouse and a product worth investing in, such as: compact frame with even weight distribution, heavy-duty forged tines, a very sturdy steel construction, and other such powerful features.
Who Should Buy This?
The EARTHQUAKE 33970 is a tiller that’s really easy to maneuver, meaning that it can cover the need of land owners with both small and large surfaces to work with.
2. EARTHQUAKE 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
Another regular powerhouse is the 37037 tiller delivered by the same brand as the one who makes the aforementioned machine: Earthquake. Also names Pioneer, this machine offer a balanced and stable modus operandi thanks to the lower and wider body of the unit, making sure that more difficult tilling experiences are a breeze every time. By pulling the reverse lever, you can have the machine move backwards without any effort on your behalf. The wheels are designed to provide a long time “no flat” experience, making sure that you get maximum traction while moving though dirt. The dual-grip handlebars allow you to step to the side of the tilling path, while the transmission of the machine is designed with the uttermost efficiency in mind.
Who Should Buy This?
While there are many things to appreciate about this Earthquake tiller, the ease of operation makes it stand out, being the perfect choice for people who, for one reason or another, don’t want to or can’t put in too much elbow grease to operate it.
3. Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller
The Tazz tiller also doubles as a cultivator, and we have to talk about how amazing both of these features are considering the convenient price of the product. First of all, it’s important to mention that this machine is powered by a 79 cc Viper engine that promises a smooth startup every time, but also makes sure that you get the power you need under several soil conditions. The machine is designed to allow you to quickly remove the outer tines so that the unit can be converted from a tiller to a cultivator in minutes. It has a low gravity center, which means that it’s able to maintain balance while offering amazing user control. The handlebar is made from steel and it offers you the possibility to choose between four different height options to make it easier for you to operate the tiller without too much effort.
Who Should Buy This?
If you want a good tiller without having to spend a fortune, but also a reliable product that can double as a cultivator, the Tazz 35310 is one of your best bets.
4. Champion 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
The Champion rear line tiller is a versatile unit that offers you the possibility to dig your soil about 8 inches in depth and 19 inches in width, making sure that you benefit from all its features and its heavy-duty construction. Much like other tillers of similar quality, this one also allows you to quickly shift the gears and allows the machine to move from forward to back with ease. It has a gear-driven transmission made from cast iron, carefully concealed inside a heavy-duty cast-iron case, further showing that every penny invested in this product is one invested in durability. The 212 cc engine is also a benchmark of power. The self-propelled agricultural tires are prepared to handle the roughest of terrain, while the hardened steel tines promise there is no soil they can’t handle.
Who Should Buy This?
The Champion rear tine tiller is a product great in many ways, and probably one of the best one for handling all sorts of soil, even rough terrain and land that would be difficult to tackle with a front tine tiller.
5. YARDMAX YT4565 Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller
There are so many things to be said about the YT4565, but we’ll try to sum up its power and benefits to just a few phrases. It is the product that offers the best value for its money, making sure that you understand and take advantage of the feature-rich construction. It features 13-inch self-sharpening tines that draw their power from a 208 cc engine, making sure than even rocky soil is broken apart under its operation. The side safety shields can be easily adjusted, while the digging depth of this model is 6.5 inches. Some other features that you might be interested in include dual rotation, forward and reverse speeds, and 7 depth adjustments.
Who Should Buy This?
The YARDMAX YT4565 tiller is definitely the right product for value seekers and people who have realistic expectations for the money they spend. Also, we have solid information that it works really well with Colorado soil.
6. Dr. Power Tw17016dmn Rear Tine Rototiller W/Counter Rotating Tines
Powered by a 212 cc engine, we bring you the last product of the day, which is a powerful rototiller made by Dr. Power (coincidence? I think not). Operating at 3,700 rpm, this tiller offers a digging depth of up to 11 inches, which is pretty deep considering how far into the ground the other model we’ve looked at today can go. When you need to travel or maneuver the tiller, you can release the wheels with a pin. The counter-rotating tines are these to give this tiller even more digging power, plowing through stubborn soil like it’s nothing. The 212 cc engine is also the motor of choice for this model, as it is for plenty of other similar ones.
Who Should Buy This?
This Dr. Power rear tiller can dig through soil at depths of 11 inches, being one of the best products for buyers that are interested in going that deep into the ground.
FAQ
Is a rear tine tiller better?
Some people that are just starting to look for a tiller might be wondering if a front model is best or if they should opt for a rear tine tiller. The truth is there is no universal right answer to this question, and it depends on the size of the land plot and the type of soil you have to work with. A front tine tiller is ideal for those of you that have to work with rocky or compacted soil. The tines will cut into the soil and have the tiller move forward, making these machines suitable for moderate amount of tiller work. On the other hand, real tine tillers are heavy-duty machines and are often the number one choice of professional gardeners or landscapers. They can tackle stubborn and virgin soil and are good for taking on larger pieces of land. They are also good if your gardening endeavors require you to work with straight lines.
What is the best rated rear tine tiller?
We often try to avoid proclaiming a certain product as the “best” because it really depends on what the best product does for you. One product is the best for people who are on a budget, while another product can be considered the best for a particular type of soil. If you check out our “Top Picks” section, you will see what the best rated rear tine tillers in different kinds of categories are.
What is a rear tine tiller used for?
A rear tine tiller is a powerful machine that’s generally used by professionals looking to break up difficult soil, that need units with powerful engines that can handle large land plots without sacrificing efficiency when doing do, and for professional landscapers that are looking to invest in powerful tools to help their business.
How deep can a rear tine tiller dig?
The maximum depth that a rear tine tiller can reach depends on the model in question but, generally speaking, this type of machinery should be able to dig the soil at depths of at least 8 inches.
Bottom Line
Choosing a rear tine tiller doesn’t require you to do a lot of research about the product in general, but you have to know what are the main advantages and drawbacks that you can expect when buying such a product. While rear tine tillers are excellent pieces of equipment, they can be too bulky or too expensive for certain landowners, so keep in mind that there are two main factors that will determine what type of tiller you need: the size of the land plot and the type of soil you’re dealing with.