The best rear tine tillers and rototillers can eliminate the hard work from digging and cultivating heavy soil in large patches of land. When you have the arduous task of breaking up new or compacted soil, a spade can strain your back and take many hours. But using a rear tine tiller can allow you to do heavy gardening in a fraction of the time.
Buying the ideal rear tine tiller can be confusing. There are several models of rototillers on the market, each with varying features and performance ratings. Because purchasing a rear tine rototiller is a significant investment, you need to ensure that you make the right choice.
To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed the best three rear tine tillers currently for sale online. For each garden tiller, you will find out its top features and why it’s worthy of your consideration. In addition, our unbiased review of rear tillers highlights the pros and cons of each garden rototiller.
The Best Rear Tine Tillers
Picking the right rear tine tillers is crucial if you must till hard, compact soil, get rid of weeds, turn grass into flower beds, and amend any type of soil in larger gardens. Every kind of tiller in this review will take care of the toughest gardening jobs. Please read on to discover which is best for you.
1. DR Pro XL-DRT TW19118BMN Rear Tine Tiller
The DR Pro XL rear tine tiller is made to tackle tough jobs in established areas or new gardens. Go with forward rotation for work in established areas, and switch to counter-rotation for newly cultivated ground.
The convenient, self-propelled tiller makes it easier to turn over and dig compacted soil, saving you time and effort. The garden tiler features 11-inch tiller tines and has a width of 18 inches. This means that you can prepare the soil in a large area of land with fewer passes.
Looking at user reviews of the DR rear tine tiller, it’s easy to see that most people are satisfied with its performance. The powerful 208cc engine, robust steel construction, and agricultural wheels make tilling easier in all conditions.
Best features:
- 208cc, 4-cycle gas-powered engine with 9.50 ft-lbs. gross torque
- Weighs 157 lbs.
- Tilling depth up to 11” and width up to 18”
- Self-propelled, air-filled 13” wheels providing superior grip on soggy ground
- Drag stake and debris safety shield
- Counter-rotating tines with forward and reverse gear action
Pros:
- Deep tilling width and depth
- Powerful engine with forward and reverse movement
- Self-propelled wheels
- Two-year limited warranty
Cons:
- One of the most expensive rear tine tillers
2. Earthquake 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
The Earthquake 37037 garden tiller is designed to make gardening more effortless than ever. A reliable four-cycle engine powers this dual-rotating tiller.
Its wide body allows deep tilling and aeration, spending less time and energy. The dual-direction airless wheels and gear mechanism make maneuvering the equipment in small to medium-sized gardens easier. There is a tine shield at the rear to protect you from flying debris.
One of the excellent features of the Earthquake 37037 tiller is how the counter-rotating blades stay in the ground. As a result, there are no issues with small stones or other hard debris causing the tines to jam.
Best features:
- 99cc, 4-cycle gas-powered Viper engine
- Weighs 135 lbs.
- Maximum depth 10” and width of 17”
- Self-propelling front wheels
- Counter-rotating rear tines
- Instant reverse action
- Use CRT mode to create new gardens and SRT mode to mix tilled soil
Pros:
- Airless wheels provide superb grip
- Compact design and quiet performance
- Easy, one-pull startup
- Dual control handlebars allow for two or one-hand operation
- Five-year warranty
Cons:
- Lacks the necessary tools for assembly
- It can get noisy on full throttle
3. Champion Power Equipment 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Rototiller
The Champion Power Equipment Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller is a powerful, easy-to-use machine. It features a cast iron construction, dual-rotation tilling, 13-inch tires, and heavy-duty tines. You’ll be able to till over a large area quickly because of the self-propelled wheels. Its extra weight means it will take some extra effort to till hardened soil, but it’s worth it in the long run.
One of the excellent features of the Champion rear tine tiller is its dual rotating tines. As a result, when tilling tough soil or uneven, rough terrains, it is effortless to switch from forward to reverse when needed. This will save you a lot of time preparing the soil for planting or amending vegetable patches.
Best features:
- 212cc, 4-cycle gas engine with heavy-duty gear mechanism
- Weighs 160 lbs.
- Tilling depth is 8” and width is 19”
- Self-propelling 13-inch front wheels with excellent grip
- Easy-adjustable depth gauge helps to tile at a consistent depth
- The fuel tank holds 0.9 gallons
Pros:
- Robust and powerful transmission
- Excellent for tilling rocky ground and compacted soil
- Dual-action tilling makes it easy to work in small to extensive gardens
- Excellent price point representing true value for money
- 2-year warranty and lifetime support
Cons:
- Not the best tiler for fuel economy
- The low oil sensor tends to cut fuel when working uneven ground
Benefits of Using a Rear Tine Tiller
Rear tine tillers are ideal for gardeners who want to make quick work of their gardening chores. They are also helpful for people who need to till large land areas but don’t want to invest in a tractor. Compared to front tine tillers, a rear tiller can get through more work in less time.
Here are four benefits of using a rear tine tiller.
Benefit #1. Wheel position of Rear Tine Tiller
Rear tine tillers are easier to operate because the front wheels are usually self-propelling. That means you exert less effort when cultivating land and preparing flower beds or vegetable patches. In addition, because the tines work independently from the front wheels, you have extra power in your gardening equipment.
Benefit #2. Counter-rotating tines
The best rear tine tillers usually have tines that operate in a counter direction from the wheels. The benefit of this type of tiller is that it’s easier to prepare new or extremely tough ground. You can also find excellent tillers with counter-rotating tines (CRT) and standard rotating tines (SRT). This option gives you even more flexibility in the garden.
Benefit #3. Depth adjustment regulators of Tiller
Although it’s a feature of many front-tine tillers, you’ll find that nearly all rear-tine models can adjust their tilling depth. Adjustable depth regulators make it easier to get good results when tiling.
Benefit #4. Protective rear shield on Tiller
A common issue when tilling the ground is that the tines can scatter debris like stones and small rocks. You will notice that all rear tine tillers have protective shields to minimize the risk of injury when tilling.
When Is It Better To Use a Rear Tine Tiller Instead of a Front Tine Tiller?
Both types of tillers have advantages and disadvantages when preparing the soil for planting. Typically, a front tine tiller is for a small to medium garden and electric or gas-powered. A rear tine tiller is usually a larger machine with a gasoline engine designed for more extensive gardens or small homesteads.
A rear tine tiller is heavier and sturdier. This makes it a better choice if you need to turn compact or clay soil deeply. Additionally, you can till tougher, rockier ground with a rear tine tiller. And you can work on a larger area faster because of its wider width. But it is more expensive than front tillers and is typically used by professionals who need heavy-duty gardening equipment.
A front tine tiller is more compact and better suited to residential gardens and small vegetable patches than a rear tiller. This is because it tends to be more compact, requires less fuel, and is cheaper to buy than a rear tine tiller. In addition, the increased maneuverability makes them ideal for smaller gardens, getting into tight spaces and weeding narrow spaces between rows of plants in established beds.
Here is a checklist to help you decide on a front tine or rear tine tiller:
- Size of garden: If you have a small garden or yard beside your house, a front tine tiller is better. However, buying a rear tine tiller is a better investment for a small homestead.
- Ease of use: Rear tine tillers are heavier. However, their self-propelling wheels make them easier to handle. On the other hand, a front tine tiller is easier to use for weeding, turning soil, mixing compost into the soil, and working between vegetable rows.
- Laying a lawn: Both types of tillers are suitable for preparing the soil for a lawn. However, the tiller must be able to dig at least six inches deep.
- Soil type: Rear tine tillers are better for working and preparing rocky soil. You can expect some kickback from a front tiller if it encounters small rocks in the ground.
- Cost: A rear tine tiller is always more expensive to buy than a front tiller.
Are Rear Tine Tillers Heavy and Hard To Use?
Despite being heavier machines, rear tine tilers are surprisingly straightforward to use. Because they are relatively powerful and have self-propelling wheels, they move through rough ground with ease, digging soil and preparing it for planting. Some of the best rear tine models also allow for one-handed operation.
In some respects, a front tine tiller can be harder to use. Their motors are generally less powerful with less torque. Because the wheels only provide stability, the forward motion depends on your strength.
What are the Best Rear Tine Tillers in Conclusion
Buying a quality rear tine tiller is a wise investment if you need to prepare large land areas for cultivation. You should look for a tiller with forward and reverse movement that has the options of counter-rotating or standard rotating tines.
From this review of rear tine tillers, our recommendation is the Champion Power Equipment model with a 212cc engine — one of the most powerful tillers we reviewed. This powerful machine features standard rotation and counter-rotation along with dual-direction movement. Also, the tiller has a super-wide tilling width of 19 inches and depth up to 8 inches. You also get free lifetime support from their customer service.