Do you want to grow good crops and have a rich harvest? Do you want the flowers in your garden to grow undisturbed without weeds? A tiller or cultivator can help you achieve these and many other goals.
As you may have guessed, there are different models for performing different tasks, which means that you have to choose the right tool according to what you plan to use it for.
In this guide, we will present everything you need to know on how to choose from the best tillers and cultivators. If you are in a hurry, we recommend you get the Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Tillers and Cultivators 2022:
Tillers and Cultivators Reviews
Earthwise TC70001 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator
- Earthwise tiller with a powerful 8.5-Amp electric motor with superb run time and service life
- Corded electric tiller ideal for small to medium-sized gardens
- 4 tine cultivator long handle that can cultivate and till up to 11" wide and 8" deep
- Lightweight and maneuverable 11-inch cultivator with single lever switch
- Cultivator machine with a soft ergonomic grip that is an planet-friendly alternative to gas-powered lawn...
This is a budget-friendly tiller/cultivator combination. It incorporates a start button and a safety button for rapid shutoffs in an emergency. This strong equipment works best for modest gardens.
The fact that it is electric and requires a cable to operate is the most significant disadvantage of this model; nonetheless, it has an impressive tilling path width of 11 inches and a tine depth of 8.5 inches.
This is equipped with a Viper engine with two cycles and a decent amount of power for a lawn tiller. The Earthwise TC70001 promises to be an excellent tiller, but it’s not the ideal option if you’re looking for a way to uncover fresh soil.
Additionally, this equipment aids in removing weeds, soil aeration, and incorporating fertilizer or manure into the soil. That creates fresh, loose soil that is ideal for cultivating seeds and seedlings and makes it simpler for water to reach the plant’s roots. Overall, these front-tine tillers are more suited to mild usage in established gardens and weeding.
Southland SCV43 Cultivator with 43cc, 2 Cycle, Full Crankshaft Engine
- Manual recoil easy start fuel delivery system
- Pro Quality Full Crankshaft design
- Adjustable tilling widths
- 8 in. tine diameter with up to 5 in. tilling depth
- Direct gear with solid steel drive shaft
Southland SCV43 Cultivator offers several advantages. It is powered by gas. Tilling your ground is made much simpler by this machine’s strong direct-gear transmission and crankshaft engine.
Even though it weighs more and cuts less deeply than other designs in this review, this model is essential for small to medium-sized lawns. You can easily get the soil in your garden ready for planting with the help of this garden tiller.
This gas-powered tiller weighs 41 pounds, but its strong direct-gear engine makes up for the weight. As with a lawnmower, you turn the key to start this machine: The tines should begin to rotate as soon as you pull the starter cord.
It shouldn’t be too difficult for you to navigate this tiller about your garden, especially considering its rear wheels that measure 7 inches and provide further mobility.
This garden tiller breaks up the soil to five inches, making it easier to water your plants and apply fertilizer and other additions. While this is suitable for most small and medium-sized gardens, other items in our review can till ground as deep as 8 inches.
Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator
- [POWERFUL]: 13.5-Amp motor cultivates up to 16 in. Wide x 8 in. Deep
- [DURABLE]: 6 Steel angled tines for maximum durability and performance
- [EASY STORAGE]: Handle folds for convenient storage and easy transport
- [ADJUSTABLE]: 3-position wheel adjustment
- [WEVE GOT YOU COVERED!]: Your new tiller and cultivator is backed by the snow Joe and Sun Joe customer...
This tiller is excellent for preserving soil quality and may be quite more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts, although they have less power. Gardeners who already have loose soil will benefit greatly from the Sun Joe TJ604E. This is another popular choice for folks with expansive yards since it has an eight-inch depth.
With its 16-inch width, it’s an amazing electric model. Because it is electric, you may only operate the tiller using a very long extension cable. Purchasing an electric tiller is a smart investment for any gardener, but it becomes much more worthwhile when the garden in question is on the smaller side.
The Sun Joe TJ604E is a corded tiller; however, its ingenious design enables the cable to exit through the handle; thus, using it will not cause you to get entangled in the cord.
There are two safety switches and a start button, making it safer and simpler to start than other gas-powered options. When you are through using it, this tiller folds up neatly for easy storage, and it comes with a guarantee that covers it for two years.
There’s no one supplied, so you’ll have to go out and get one or order one alongside. In addition, it’s important to get a long enough one to reach your garden easily. Be careful not to sever your cable with the tines. To make it survive over the winter, keep it clean and dry. There is a two-year warranty on all of Sun Joe’s items.
Folding the handles of this tiller makes it easy to stow it away once you’ve finished preparing your yard. This model also doesn’t need to be maintained like the gasoline variant, so you don’t have to do things like mix fuel and oil to keep it running.
Greenworks 40V 10″ Cordless Tiller / Cultivator
- Powerful 8 Amp Motor for reliable results with an easy electric start eliminates the need for mixing gas...
- (4) 8 inch forward rotating tines for highest performance when digging into earth
- Adjustable tilling width of 8.25 inches to 10 inches for quick reliable tilling; Assembly details:...
- Adjustable tilling depth, up to 5 inches offers the versatility to dig for the right planting depth
- Handle folds down for simple and convenient storage and transportation
With this rototiller, you don’t have to deal with a complicated pull-cord start as you would with a gas-powered tiller. It is powered by just pressing a button. Because the rototiller weighs approximately 40 pounds and rides on a pair of little wheels, the operator does not have to bear the machine’s full weight while using it.
The highest depth that the four front tines can till is 5 inches, and the tilling breadth may be adjusted anywhere from 8.25 inches to 10 inches. The wireless electric tiller is powered by a 4-amp motor and includes a 40-volt battery that can run the tiller for up to 40 minutes.
The Greenworks G-Max 40v cultivator provides you with the flexibility to cultivate with either two or four blades, depending on your needs. I cultivated my raised beds using the 4-blade configuration.
My best judgment is that there are certain spots in narrow beds where having two blades rather than one might be beneficial. However, for most vegetable garden beds, the four blades provide a more rapid outcome.
The power and outcomes of the Greenworks 40v tiller shocked me. Despite costing a lot, I think this device is worth every penny. If you truly want to cultivate your beds multiple times a year to maintain them weed-free and aerated, a battery-powered tiller is better eco-friendly than gas tillers.
BLACK+DECKER LGC120 20V MAX Tiller
- Powerful transmission with dual tines break up soil to allow water and nutrients to reach plant roots
- Powered by 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery, with longer lifespan and charge retention than NiCad...
- Cultivates up to 325 square feet per charge
- Counter-oscillating tines prevent weeds from tangling
- 2-year limited warranty; includes battery and Energy Star-qualified charger
The BLACK+DECKER is a good option if you only need to do slight cultivation or gardening on raised beds. The telescopic shaft of this tool helps make it easier on the shoulder, and the counter-oscillating vertical tines that are four inches long make working on weeds easy without getting tangled up.
It only weighs little more than 8 pounds, is simple to use, and features comfort-grip handles, which makes it simpler to work for extended periods. This tiller/cultivator runs on a battery and can work up to 325 square feet of land on a full charge.
It takes between three and five hours to charge fully, but when the lithium-ion battery has been entirely discharged, the whole charging process may take up to 8 hours.
The device incorporates a clutch safety mechanism that protects the motors when pressed hard. It comes with a guarantee of two years. I suggest this 20V cultivator for minor tasks like cleaning up plant beds.
Tillers and Cultivators Buying Guide
First of all, you need to decide what exactly you need – a tiller or cultivator and then whether a motor or electric model.
Differences between tillers and cultivators
Before deciding which would be more suitable for your garden, it is good to know the similarities and differences between different types of tillers and cultivators.
Gas-powered tillers are the most powerful of all.
There are also models with enough power, which are powered by electricity. The gas tillers have a motor that is powered by gasoline. Most models usually have wheels at the rear, but there are some exceptions where the wheels are at the front. They are very powerful and can dig deep into the ground – over 9 inches.
They can be used for cultivating large areas and preparing the soil before sowing.
Electric tillers can be used for digging and mixing even on harder soils.
Their wheels can again be front or rear. They are usually smaller and easier to maneuver, and in terms of power, they can be used for softer soils and for small to medium-sized gardens.
Cultivators are used for mixing loose soil and adding compost and fertilizers. They are the weakest of all and therefore should not be used to break up hard ground.
They are available in electric and petrol versions and their main purpose is to help in the final preparation of the soil before sowing.
As you can see, there is no perfect machine that works for everything. Therefore, it is good to consider what you will do most often and choose the most appropriate model for the purpose.
Working Area
Estimate the exact size of the area that will be processed with your future tiller or cultivator. If you plan to cultivate a small agricultural area in your yard or garden, say about 1600 square feet, then the most suitable choice for you would be a practical electric tiller. Electric tillers usually have a working width between 8 and 16 inches.
They are suitable for efficient cultivation of arable small gardens and yard areas, where the soil is relatively soft and you have direct access to the mains. Many of the better models of electric tillers or cultivators also have a decent working depth of up to 8 inches. Another advantage of electric tillers is that they work relatively quietly and do not emit harmful gases into the atmosphere thanks to their electric motor.
Of course, the electric motor of this type of small and light tiller is both an advantage and a disadvantage because the tool needs a constant connection to the mains and therefore your freedom and space in your garden are limited by the cable.
Another important disadvantage of the electric tiller is that on harder soils or more frequent and intensive work with the device you may encounter problems either due to the low power of the electric motor, which can not provide the required speed to turn the soil, or either because of the weaker construction and the more fragile materials from which the electric tillers are made. In short, stop at an electric tiller if you plan to cultivate small garden areas or yards with light soils and not so often a year.
If you plan to cultivate the soil in larger gardens, say about 2700 square feet and up to about 1 acre, then your attention should be focused on a gas-powered tiller. Gas-powered tillers usually give you a working width of between 16 and 35 inches and are therefore suitable for work in larger agricultural areas. And, with less effort, you will cover a larger area.
Also, the working depth of a gas-powered tiller can vary between 8 and 14 inches. Another big plus of gas-powered tillers is that, at least for quality ones, they work with a powerful petrol engine and are made of durable plastic, sheet metal, and metal wheels, with the help of which they can easily overcome and cultivate harder clay soils.
Accordingly, this type of tiller is also suitable for more frequent and long-term work on soil cultivation. Of course, gas-powered tillers also have their drawbacks, the biggest of which is the petrol engine, which emits harmful emissions into the air, as well as the unpleasant sensation of its powerful vibrations.
Another disadvantage is the relatively high noise levels that are emitted during operation. The big advantage of the gas-powered tiller compared to the electric one is that you are not limited by the cable in your workspace, but only by the amount of petrol in the tank. When it comes to gasoline, it is strongly recommended that you use quality unleaded gasoline for the lowest possible level of exhaust gases.
Keep in mind that most gas-powered tillers run on 4-stroke engines and will also need quality (4-stroke) oil.
Working width
Depending on the tiller or cultivator and model you choose, you will notice that there is a given working width. It shows what area can be cultivated with the machine and how far the crop beds will be.
Obviously, a larger work area is a better option for large gardens, but with such a tool it is not easy to maneuver, especially in narrow beds. Also, if you want to work the soil around fences, you will probably need a small electric tiller or cultivator.
Working depth
The working depth determines exactly what the selected machine can be used for.
Greater depth means that the tiller or cultivator is suitable for heavier tillage and weed control. The medium depth makes it great for creating beds, and the shallow depth is great for mixing the soil and aerating it.
Of course, you can stop at a tiller or cultivator with a small depth and you will still have the opportunity to dig deep, but you will have to go several times to the same place for this purpose, which in turn will take you much longer.
There are models on the market where the depth can be adjusted – by default they are much more versatile.
Electric or gas-powered
Tillers and cultivators are usually available on the market in three main versions – electric with cable or battery and gas-powered.
If you choose an electric model with a cable, of course, you will have to consider the length of the cable – if it is too short it can cause you a lot of inconveniences and you need to use extension cords. Electric models will also add money to your electricity bill, but they do not emit exhaust gases and are quieter and more environmentally friendly.
Gas-powered tillers and cultivators are noisier, but also cheaper in most cases.
You are also not dependent on electricity. Cordless models also give you more freedom, but with one charge you can handle significantly less space before you need to recharge.
Grips
Grips are especially important when choosing a tiller or cultivator.
Above all, the soft and ergonomic grips will reduce the tension in the wrists and waist, which will make using the machine much easier and more enjoyable.
If the grips themselves are adjustable, you will be able to adjust them even more according to your height. And if they have the option to fold – storing the machine will also be easier.
Ease of use and safety
The easier the tiller or cultivator is to use, the better.
Look for a comfortable design and additional things like low weight, powerful engine, and fast ignition time. If there is a reverse gear it will be even more convenient.
However, you don’t have to focus entirely on how easy the machine is. For example, a clay tiller will weigh more and be heavier than another model, but it will also have a more powerful motor.
Cultivators are smaller and lighter, which makes them excellent for maneuvering in narrow beds, but they are not good for large gardens and are not powerful enough.
Safety measures are also an important factor – it is good to choose a tiller or cultivator with which there will be no risk of accidents. For example, cable insulation, protection against ignition or overheating, and the like can increase operational safety.
Extras and warranty
There are many extras that you can get with one tiller or cultivator. For example, if you opt for a rechargeable model, it may come with a charger and an extra battery.
Gasoline tillers will probably have extras to help you work with the machine as soon as it is taken out of the box. Also often in the kits are carrying bags and cleaning products.
The warranty, in turn, shows how reliable a tool is. However, it is the manufacturer who determines it and in this way, you will know how the machine’s strength is evaluated. It is often better to pay more for a quality tiller or cultivator with a longer warranty than to save money and then regret it.
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