Using a garden tiller can really save you a lot of time when working in the yard. It makes turning over and loosening soil easy work and can literally save you hours with each and every use. Of course, if you want to get the most benefit from your garden tiller, you have to choose the right one. With so many available options, it can be difficult to know which to choose.

Consider Your Needs

Choosing a tiller would be much easier if there was always a clear cut right choice. This is not the case. There are many great garden tillers out there. The trick is understanding what you want and need and finding one that will accommodate that. How often will I use it? How large is my space? Is my garden area narrow or wide? These questions will help you to narrow your focus so that you can choose an ideal tiller for your situation. Here are a few of the different specifications available so that you can determine the type of tiller that will best suit your situation.

Light Duty vs. Heavy Duty

Light duty tillers are generally less expensive than their heavy duty counterparts. They are usually made of less durable materials and have a smaller engine (often only 1 or 2 horsepower). Since they are fairly inexpensive they can be a great choice for those looking to maintain a small home garden. If you have a large yard or plan on using your tiller regularly, spend more and get a heavy duty machine or a good quality electric machine such as the popular Mantis Tiller. It will last longer, go faster and get a lot deeper.

Front Tine vs. Rear Tine

Front tine tillers are great for those that don't have a lot of space. They can easily be stored in a small corner of the garage or garden shed. Front tine tillers have the tines in the front of the machine. Instead of being propelled by the wheels, the tines pull the machine along as they push through the soil. Since the wheels are not powered, front tine tillers can be very difficult to maneuver. They require a lot more effort and concentration to ensure that the soil is thoroughly broken up before you move on. If you plan on tilling a large area, a professional rear tine tiller is a better choice.

Rear tine tillers have more options available than front tine tillers do. Often they have multiple gears and settings to allow you to customize the speed of the tilling process. Additionally they generally have a reverse option, which can really come in handy. They are a lot larger which makes them more difficult to store and can be very heavy and difficult to maneuver.

Electric vs. Gas

There are also many options to consider when deciding if you want an electric or gas garden tiller. There are small cordless electric tillers that you must charge after each use. These are typically only a good choice for smaller gardens as they can run out of power quickly and then cannot be used again until they have time to charge.

If you decide to get an electric corded tiller, make sure that the cord length is long enough to make it to an outlet. In standard sized backyards you shouldn't have any problems, but if you have a large property, you might want to purchase a gas tiller. When it comes to electric or gas a lot of the decision is based on preference.

Size of Tiller

When choosing a tiller keep the size and shape of your garden area in mind. Wide tillers are great for quickly taking care of a large area. However, if you have a small, narrow garden smaller tillers are easier to maneuver. Make sure that you choose a tiller size that will work well for your space.

When choosing a garden tiller, make sure that you carefully consider many options before making your final choice. Your needs and garden will determine which type of tiller you choose.