Since I have been gardening at home for years, I have used just about every type of gardening tool you can think of. Since testing various equipment types, I’ve gotten a clearer understanding of what makes a tool useful.
You can determine which tiller will do your desired job by looking at its capabilities, design, and manufacturing quality. Over the years, we have used various tillers and come up with these top 3 tillers. Those are not only budget-friendly but also quality. So, let’s dig into these best small garden tiller reviews and learn about them.
What is a small garden tiller?
A small garden tiller is a motor-powered machine that can only work for a small space in the garden and is the least expensive option compared to the other two. This type of tiller typically has front wheels that let you maneuver it easily. The Cultivator is the smallest option and is usually motor-powered. In addition, many different types of cultivators are available on the market today. But we have tested and combined the top 3 ones.
Our Top Pick:
1. Best Budget: Sun Joe TJ603E
2. Most Simple One: BLACK+DECKER
3. Most powerful: Earthquake 33970
1. Best Budget: Sun Joe TJ603E review
With this tiller, you can easily cut right through your yard thanks to its 12-Amp motor. The blades are angled on 6 sides to penetrate the soil more easily and to churn it more effectively. A 16-inch wide and 8-inch deep cut is made.
A foldable handle makes storage easier. Once the handle is folded, the unit becomes compact and easily transportable. The fact that this tiller can be used professionally is a huge plus.
This corded tiller uses 120 volts and is made by Sun Joe. The wheels on the tiller can be adjusted into three different positions to help you steer it around the yard more efficiently. The Sun Joes TJ603E is one of those products that require little maintenance.
A button is all that’s needed to start this machine, as it doesn’t require any fuel or gas. This is the perfect catch for you if you have a small garden. Also, it’s so cheap considering the other tillers. What else would you ask for?
Why we like it:
The Sun Joe TJ603E small garden tiller is very handy. It can quickly and easily till your small garden, making adding new plants or removing old ones easy. The tiller is also very lightweight, so you can easily carry it around with you.
And if you have a larger garden, the Sun Joe TJ603E can be easily attached to a lawn tractor or ATV. So whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned pro, the Sun Joe TJ603E is a great choice for all your tilling needs.
Product details:
- Maximum durability and performance with 6 steel angled tines
- Easy storage and transport with foldable handle
- Wheels can be adjusted in three positions. No maintenance is required.
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2. Most Simple One: BLACK+DECKER tiller review:
It is a simple tool. It is made of plastic, which makes it easy to clean and maintain. It has been designed for use by people unfamiliar with gardening. In this case, you do not need to be an expert in order to use it.
You can follow the instructions that come with the product. The best thing about this garden tool is its durability. It does not rust easily and will last for years without breaking down. There are no moving parts inside the device; therefore, you don’t need to worry about the quality of the product.
The tiller works perfectly fine even though it is relatively old and has seen better days. It can get up to 4 hours of continuous operation time without needing repairs. The tiller is lightweight and can be carried anywhere without effort. The ergonomic design allows you to operate it comfortably.
The Black+Decker LT20 is easy to use, lightweight, and powerful enough to tackle tough jobs around the garden. With a just 11 pounds, it’s perfect for small gardens with limited space. Plus, the tiller features a power cord that lets you move freely while working. And thanks to its compact size, it fits easily into tight spaces like under decks, patios, and sheds.
Why we like it:
We all know the feeling of being in the garden, working hard to till the soil and plant our seeds, only to find that the ground is still full of rocks and roots. It’s frustrating.
But with the BLACK+DECKER small garden tiller, that’s a problem of the past. This lightweight tiller is easy to maneuver and provides robust performance, making light work of any garden bed.
Plus, it’s backed by BLACK+DECKER’s reputation for quality and durability, so you can be confident that it will stand up to any challenge. So why not make your gardening life easier with the BLACK+DECKER small garden tiller? You won’t regret it.
Product review:
- Water and nutrients reach plant roots through an effective transmission with dual tines
- Longer battery life and better charge retention than NiCd batteries thanks to the 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery
- Per charge, it can cultivate up to 325 square feet
- Weeds are prevented from being tangled by counter-oscillating tines
- A 2-year limited warranty covers battery and charger.
3. Most powerful: Earthquake 33970 review:
If you’re serious about gardening, you’ll want to invest in a good rear-tine tiller. These heavy-duty machines are designed to turn over large areas quickly and efficiently. They’re perfect for breaking new ground, leveling out hillsides, and clearing debris from garden beds. But what makes a rear-tine tiler truly special is its ability to handle tough terrain.
The 33970 Victory Rear Tiner is a prime example. With its sturdy frame and heavy-duty construction, this machine can tackle almost anything you throw at it. And thanks to its unique “reverse lever,” you can easily back up without walking behind your tiller. This feature lets you move the machine backward while keeping your hands free—a real lifesaver when working in tight spaces.
This model features a 5-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine and a 3-blade cast iron cutting deck. It holds a maximum load capacity of 150 lbs. and can cut up to 8 inches deep and 16 inches across. Plus, its long 4-inch tines make it easier to break up hard surfaces like clay soils and rock. A 2-year warranty covers everything except worn parts.
Why we like it:
We all know that gardening can be a lot of work. There’s the weeding, the watering, the fertilizing… it can sometimes feel like a never-ending cycle. But there’s one tool that can help make your gardening experience a whole lot easier: the Earthquake 33970 small garden tiller. This powerful little tiller can quickly break up hard-packed soil, making it easier to plant and care for your garden.
Plus, its small size makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. So whether you’re tilling a small vegetable patch or a large flower bed, Earthquake 33970 is up to the task. And that’s why we like it.
Product details:
- The Victory is right-sized, allowing the flexibility to use one machine to both attack new ground and maintain existing plots.
- Victory’s compact frame and balanced weight distribution make it easy to navigate in tight gardening spaces and pivot in garden rows with stability.
- Victory’s compact frame and Viper Engine deliver incredible sod-busting power while making the machine easy to handle without compromising performance.
Things to Consider While Buying Tiller:
Engine & Power
The higher the cc of a lawn mower’s engine, the greater the capacity for pushing fuel through its cylinders. This translates into greater power output and the ability to make more significant amounts of energy through the engine.
When looking at an engine’s cc count, you can determine how much power it generates. For example, a 20 hp gas engine will produce about four horsepower while a 40 hp electric engine will produce eight horsepower. These numbers are based on the engine’s displacement, measured in cubic inches. A small engine might have 200cc, while a large one could have over 1000cc.
The size and level of difficulty involved in landscaping tasks will dictate what type of engine you want to use. You’ll likely need a powerful engine if you plan on doing heavy-duty work such as digging trenches, planting trees, and tearing up sod. However, a smaller engine may suffice if you want to trim grass around flower beds, shrubs, and trees.
Working Depth and Width of Tiller
Tillers are one of those tools that most people take for granted. They don’t realize just how much power they have over the soil until they’re forced to use it. Tillers are used to turn up the earth and loosen the soil. This process allows seeds to germinate easier and weeds to grow out of control. When planting seedlings, farmers often want to plant deep enough to allow water to seep down to the root zone. In addition to helping plants grow, tillers can help keep moisture levels high.
There are many different types of tillers available. Front-tine tillers are designed to cut across the soil like a lawn mower. These usually have a smaller cutting width and are ideal for small areas. Rear-tine tillage systems are designed to go deeper into the ground and offer a wider range of motion.
For larger areas, rear-tine tillers tend to be more effective. Most tillers include adjustments for both width and depth. Adjusting the depth of the blade is typically done with a lever on the side of the machine. If you have a large plot of land, it might make sense to invest in a system that also offers adjustable width.
Wheels & Self Propulsion
When you use rear-tine tillers, the wheels turn to direct the equipment forward. After you have positioned it in the right place, you can then start tilling by turning the wheels to direct the equipment forwards.
In contrast to front-tine tillers, the wheels on a rear-tine tiller rotate independently of each other. However, its bulky size does not hinder its ability to maneuver well despite its ability to move around easily.
Transmission Type
There are usually up to three forward speeds and only one reverse speed that the transmission provides. Older versions of garden tiles carry gear-drive systems. These older models required the machinery to rest completely before changing gears. Hydrostatic Drive Systems are found in newer, more sophisticated models and function much like automatic transmissions.
They still require the operator to come to a complete halt before shifting gears. However, they don’t require the same level of maintenance because the fluid reservoir isn’t exposed to the elements as often. Belt Drives work similarly to chain drives.
Instead of having a set number of gears, they shift the drive ratio. One advantage of this is that it is easier to adjust the drive ratio without stopping the machine. Hydraulic Pumps are used to control the flow of oil to the transmission.
Pressurized oil is sent to the transmission when the pump is activated, causing it to engage. The disadvantage of this method is that the pump must be constantly refilled with oil.
Speed and Controls
Users can control the speed of certain models more precisely with variable speed controls.
Without experience, someone might ignore the circumstantial capacity of the tiller and push through a project at full speed, causing the engine to be strained and potentially damaged, causing it to burn out.
You can also choose an electric-start rear-tine tiller if you’d like. There are several advantages to this mechanical setup compared to a traditional gas-powered tiller.
In comparison to gasoline-powered versions, electric start versions start up significantly faster. You can usually start running after pressing a button without any mess or preparation that comes with traditional fuel.
Homeowners with limited tool storage space can also benefit from these models because they are compact and sometimes foldable.
How do you use a small garden tiller?
- Let the tiller warm up before using it.
- Prepare the bed for tilling by lining it up behind you. Then till through the bed backward from the end.
- The tiller will start digging as soon as you increase the throttle.
- Drag the tiller backward through the bed while maintaining steady (but high) revs. You will have to fight it every step of the way by digging deeply.
How do you maintain a small garden tiller?
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using the tiller.
- Fill the gas tank with fresh gasoline and oil as directed.
- Check the air filter and clean or replace it as needed.
- Inspect the tires for wear and sharpen or replace them as necessary.
- Lubricate all moving parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Store the tiller in a dry, protected place when not in use
How we tested those tillers?
We had a chance to test out the new Tillers from the folks at K&G. We were given two of their new models, the Tiller Pro and the Tiller Plus. The Tiller Pro is designed for small-scale farmers who want to grow more than one crop per season. After using many tillers, they recommended those top 3; that’s why we indeeded to bring those 3 to our audience.
Watch More 5 Garden Tillers in 2022 
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will a tiller break up hard soil?
Starting a new garden plot requires breaking down the hard ground, which is what rear tine tillers do best. Loosening hard or rocky soil. A large garden or a small farm plot can be dug.
2. How much does a tiller cost?
Tillers range in price depending on how well-equipped they are. Some come with attachments such as cultivator blades, rotary hoes, etc. Others may only include a blade attachment.
3. What size should I get?
If you’re looking for a smaller model, consider getting a mini-tiller. They’re great for smaller gardens and farms.
4. Can I use my old tiller?
Yes. Just make sure your tiller has been properly maintained and serviced.
5. Do I need to buy a new tiller?
No. But if you’ve got a broken tiller, you’ll need to purchase a replacement part.
Conclusion
We want to say that many different tillers are available today. And each type has its own pros and cons. So, you must know about the features and functions of each type before making a choice. However, out ones mentioned are the best in town. If you are willing to buy, then consider them.
