A rototiller can be a time-saver for professional or amateur landscapers, and it can also save you a lot of work and effort.
There are front and mid-ton rototillers, but a rear tine tiller, which is the most powerful and versatile of all three, is preferred by both professionals and homeowners.
There are many rear tine tillers on the market, making it difficult to choose the right one for you. Today, well take a look at five of your best rear tine rototiller options, and show you what to look out for when shopping for a rototiller.
Our FavoriteRear Tine Rototillers
First, lets take a look at five of the best rear tine rototiller options youll find on the market. We’ve reviewed a range of features and prices to help you choose the right rear tine rototiller.
Champion 100380 Rototiller
This Champion rear tine tiller may be the best option for those who want to tackle large plots quickly.
The tiller is powered by a large, 212cc engine and a cast-iron-driven, heavy-duty transmission. The engine transfers power to the wheels, allowing you more work with less effort.
This tiller is able to handle large plots thanks to its adjustable tilling width of 48 cm. You can reduce the width to give you more control on smaller plots. The 100380 tills can be adjusted to a depth of up to 20 cm. The tines measure 35 cm in diameter, and are made of hardened steel. They can be used to till soil efficiently regardless of its composition.
These 33 cm self-propelled tires provide great traction and make it easy to tackle difficult jobs.
The 100380 is EPA certified, CARB-Compliant, and is backed by a 2-year warranty and lifetime free tech support.
What Could Be Better
- Tires with poor quality valve stems
Troy-Bilt Pony E 250cc Rototiller
Troy-Bilt’s powerful tiller offers the reliability, performance and durability of a genuine Briggs & Stratton engine.
At 250cc, this is one of the more powerful tillers on our list. The Pony ES features a Briggs and Stratton 1150 series engine with a patented Bronze Gear Drive transmission to make for a performance-minded rototiller thats built to last.
Forward rotating bolo tines make quick work of your plot, and they till at a max width of 41 cm and an adjustable depth that tills as deep as 18 cm. Large AG tires allow you to work quickly and with less effort, and electronic start ensure that this tiller starts the first time, every time.
Troy Bilt stands by this tiller with a 2-year warranty should anything go wrong with your new tool.
What We Like
- Powerful Briggs & Stratton engine
- Electronic Start
- It is easy to maneuver
Southland SRTT196E Rototiller
If youre looking for an affordable counter-rotating rear tine tiller, the SRTT196E from Southland is one to take a closer look at.
The engine is a bit small at under 196cc, but thanks to the counter-rotating tines, the machine generates impressive tilling power. The tines are also self-sharpening, which ensures effortless tilling through the entire life of the tool.
The SRTT196E offers a gear driven transmission with forward and reverse, making it easier to go backward for a second pass on stubborn areas.
With a maximum tilling width of 46 cm and a max depth of 25 cm, this versatile tiller is ideal for preparing your plot to plant virtually anything. An easy to adjust depth lever ensures that youre tilling at a uniform depth. 33 cm pneumatic tires round out this impressive tiller.
This rototiller is CARB compliant and backed by a 2-year warranty from Southland.
What Could Be Better
- Small engine size
Husqvarna CRT900
Troy Bilt is not the only heavy hitter to offer a premium Briggs & Stratton engine. The Husqvarna CRT900 model combines the reliability of Briggs & Stratton with some head turning features that are absent from other premium rear tine tillers.
Counter-rotating tines make it easy to remove stubborn soil with one pass on the CRT900. The 36 cm working width makes this tiller easy to control and precise, but still wide enough to till larger plots quickly.
This tiller has a maximum depth of 15 cm. However, it can still be used for most applications.
The reverse gearbox provides excellent control and maneuverability. A counterweight is installed below the engine to help you get more done in a shorter time. This tiller can be used to power forward, reverse and neutral.
You can ensure that the whole plot is tilled at the same depth by using a drag bar with seven adjustment options.
What could be better?
- Maximum tilling depth is only 15 cm
Poulan Pro PPCRT17cc Rototiller
The PPCRT17 is a powerful and large counter-rotating tiller capable of handling large jobs quickly.
This tiller features a largecc LCT overhead valve engine which provides an extremely efficient transfer of power, which allows you to make quick work out of even the most stubborn plots.
The 12 counter-rotating tines on the PPCRT17 are perfect for all soil types, even those with densely packed plots. Extra-large 41 cm pneumatic tires make this tiller easier to control, and powered forward and reverse modes allow you to move the tiller with far less effort.
Split loop handles are adjustable and can be adjusted to suit your height. This tiller can also be operated easily with one hand.
It has a maximum width of 118cm, which allows you to quickly till larger areas. The till can also reach depths of up to 17cm with seven depth adjustment steps. Like the Husqvarna model above, they do lose some points for the limited maximum depth.
Poulan Pro offers a 2-year warranty on the PPCRT17.
What Could Be Better
- Maximum tilling depth is only 17 cm
Guide To Buying Rear Tine Rototillers
These features will help you choose the right rototiller, regardless of whether you prefer one of these tillers or another model.
Rotation Direction
One of the first considerations to make when shopping for a rototiller is the direction the tines rotate in.
Youll find models that have forward rotating tines, reverse rotating tines, or hybrid models where the tines can rotate in either direction.
Standard or forward-rotating rototillers have tines that rotate in the same way as the wheels. These tillers are the best option if youre tilling five inches or less of soil.
Reverse-rotating tillers move in the opposite direction to the wheels. They are ideal for digging in deep ground and compacted soil because the tiller moves in the opposite direction to the wheels.
Dual rotating tillers offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to use forward rotation for light tilling or reverse for breaking new ground.
Features To Look Out For
When choosing between a standard, reverse or hybrid tiller, it is important to consider the following features.
Engine
There are tillers that can be fitted with either a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine. While 2-stroke engines provide plenty of power, they require you to mix fuel and oil; theyre louder, less fuel efficient, and prone to more issues than 4-stroke engines.
You don’t have to mix fuel with a 4-stroke engine. They are also more reliable and efficient, making them the best choice for a rear tine tractor.
Multi-Speed Transmission
Multiple speeds allow you to control the speed of the tiller. You can safely reverse speeds to get to the retill soil that you have already moved.
Multiple speeds allow the transmission to do most of the work so you can work longer and feel less tired.
Tires
The tires on a rototiller are a critical component of the machine, and they bear the weight of the machine as its working. Heavy-duty tires will make it easier to maneuver in newly tilled soil. This will enable you to work more efficiently.
Adjustable Drag Bar
A drag bar adjusts to allow you to select a uniform soil depth when tilling the soil. This provides a smooth and even substrate for whatever you are planting.
Tilling Width & Depth
There are many sizes of tillers to meet every consumer’s needs. A wider tiller allows you to till more ground in one pass. However, as they grow wider they become more difficult and more difficult to control.
You are likely looking for a tiller which allows you work quickly and is easy to control.
Different models are also capable of tilling at a variety of depths. Depending on what youre planting, youll need to plant at a certain depth for best results. So, youll want a tiller thats capable of tilling deep enough to accommodate different species. Most people need a depth of 25 cm.
Start with Electric
The electric start feature allows you to turn the machine on and off with a push button instead of pulling a cord. It allows you to start your tiller quicker and more reliably. This feature can be expensive so it is worth considering if you are on a tight budget.
FAQ
Q. Is it a forward- or reverse-rotating tiller best?
Depending on your needs, youre likely to find that one style is better for you than the other. Forward rotating tillers are ideal for tilling ground 13 cm or less in depth, while reverse rotating tillers are best for handling deeper ground. If you intend to use it in different conditions, you may find that the forward or reverse function is better for you.
Q. What about front tine rotations?
For smaller areas of soil, front tine tillers are very helpful, especially if you have an existing garden bed that you want to turn over for the new season. They are less powerful and can’t reach as deep as rear tine tillers. Rear tine tillers allow you to tackle the widest variety of projects, so theyre typically the best option for most people.
Final Verdict
Each of the tillers that we have covered may be a good choice depending on your requirements, but only one model is the best rear tine rototiller. That title belongs to the Southland SRTT196E.
While the SRTT196E may be a bit smaller than many of the models weve looked it, it provides an impressive maximum tilling depth, making it ideal for the widest range of applications.
The counter-rotating tines are quick to tackle stubborn plots. A large tilling width makes it possible to quickly tackle larger plots in a shorter time. Forward and reverse drive allow you to easily maneuver the tiller with less effort.
