When to Use a Rototiller
Reading Time: 4 minutes
By Jenny Underwood – The gardening world is constantly improving tools and methods for less labor-intensive and more time-friendly gardening. Many of these are seen as “gadgets,” but often, some have real merit. And one of these is the rototiller.
Over the last few years, we’ve been greatly expanding our gardens, and we are currently gardening in two separate extensive gardens (70′ x 40′ and 80′ x 50′). This has completely changed how we garden as the physical labor is much more intensive. Two years ago, we were blessed to buy a used tractor, and last year, we decided that a rototiller was a much-needed purchase.
What is a Rototiller?
A rototiller is a tiller that attaches to the PTO shaft on the back of your tractor or a tiller that you walk behind. This can significantly benefit those with large conventional gardens or struggling with using a walk-behind garden rototiller.
Walk-behind tillers (front tine or rear tine) are a handy tool for your garden. Using a rototiller can save you time and wear and tear on your body.
What is the Best Tiller for Me?
In choosing a tractor tiller, you will have several options. Different widths correspond to your tractor size. Our tractor needed a 4- to 5-foot tiller. Do not go larger than your recommended width, as that puts too much strain on your tractor. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the smaller widths. (Perhaps this is because they are so popular.) We had to do quite a bit of calling around before we found the garden rototiller we wanted.
Then there is the consideration of your preferred brand and country of origin. To us, it needed to be made in the United States. This can be a bit tricky to find out, so you will need to dig deep into the different brands. Often, a company will have multiple equipment grades, and the cheaper grades will usually, but not always, be made in another location, while the more expensive grades will be made in the United States. Many good quality brands are produced in different places, so it is a matter of personal preference. Some overseas-made products will be challenging to find parts and services, so check on that before purchasing.
It was also important to us to have a dealer nearby so we didn’t have to travel far if it needed work or parts. This became very important after we got it home and used it and realized that the factory had installed the gearbox and tines backward! We had purchased a reverse-driven rototiller. But upon using it, we observed it was going forward and making a very loud noise. Because our service store was only an hour’s drive away, we could load it up and return it. They gave us a brand new one that works perfectly. I can’t imagine how frustrating it would have been to wait for a far-off dealer to make it right!
Another thing you’ll need to consider is whether you want a forward or reverse pull-behind rototiller. Basically, the forward tiller tines will not reach as far into the ground to till, but the dirt will be finer. The reverse tiller tines reach deeper into the ground, but the dirt is more coarse. Of course, your soil health will make a difference in your dirt quality regardless of whether you choose forward or reverse. The reverse tiller will require a larger horsepower tractor (or a smaller width tiller).
When to Use a Rototiller
There are several good options for when to use a rototiller. The first is obviously in the spring to prepare your gardens. We normally “break” our gardens and then disc them before using a regular tiller. Last year, we were able to only use the rototiller, which saved us a lot of time! The texture of the dirt was excellent. Another way to use it is to till under your cover crop in the spring. You can also use it to work compost into your gardens. This works wonderfully well if you are preparing your vegetable gardens for winter. We were honestly amazed at the job it did on even very grassy land, such as in our food plot. Using it to prepare food plots for planting is another excellent way to use a rototiller.
Warranty and Maintenance
An important consideration when purchasing your rototiller is the warranty. Don’t forget to research this part thoroughly. This is a costly purchase ranging from $1,800 to $4,000, depending on size and brand. You want a quality built product and a great warranty to back it up. Also, look into where you can get warranty work done. For us, a local dealer needed to be able to perform it or send it in for work.
Don’t forget that, like any machine, it will require maintenance. There will be an owner’s manual, and you should read it thoroughly before using it. Ours required a few things to be done before tilling with it first, so don’t ignore this part! It’s also a good idea to clean your tines after using. They don’t have to be spotless, but it’s much better on the rototiller if mud isn’t allowed to harden and stay there for months.
So remember, do your research before purchasing a rototiller, plan carefully for your needs, and then enjoy using this labor-saving garden tool that should last a lifetime!
Originally published in the March/April 2023 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.
