Every serious-minded gardener or farmer knows how important it is to procure the right working tools for maintaining his farm or garden.

Tillers are used to transform hard, compact and dense ground into loose soil you needed in order to make planting easier.

When you are working on a new ground, you need the best tiller to accomplish the job. Of course, you don’t expect any random tiller to suit your needs.

With the right tilling machine, you can efficiently prepare the soil so that your land becomes as productive as it should be.

Here is a quick look at The Best Tiller for Breaking New Ground options, as well as the comprehensive information you will need to make the right choice

What does breaking new ground mean?

Breaking new ground simply means that the land you are working on has not been worked on or dug over for quite a long time or even at all.

This means that the soil there will be very tough to dig into and could also be covered by vegetation such as grass, weeds or both.

A new ground or virgin land may have old roots growing through it; it may as well have rubble or stones mixed through it. As such, small tillers are not the best option for breaking new ground.

The point we are trying to make here is that breaking new ground will require a bit of intensive labor to till up the soil. This means the tilling machine you should choose for the job must be tough, powerful, and safe to use.

What are the different types of tillers

Basically, there are two types of tillers: Tillers and Cultivators.

• Tillers

The word tiller refers to the bigger, more powerful tilling machines with large engines. These machines are designed for industrial and commercial purposes. They have enough power to break hard, compact ground while digging deep into the earth. These set of tillers can cut away at weeds, grass as well as existing roots and pants in the ground.

• Cultivators

Cultivator is the term used to describe less powerful tillers. Cultivators are designed similar to tillers, only that cultivators are smaller and are usually powered by electricity. Cultivators, just like tillers, can be used for tilling, mixing compost or fertilizer into the soil among other uses.

Top Rated Best Tiller For Breaking New Ground Reviews 2021

1. Champion’s Reartine Tiller

Last update on 2023-11-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The first tiller to make it to our list of the Best Tiller For Breaking New ground is the Champion’s 19-inch Dual-rotating Rear Tine Tiller.

This tiller is designed rugged enough to tackle tough ground with much ease. Champion 19-inch rear Tine tiller features a 212cc engine that powers the gear-driven transmission; the engine is enclosed in a heavy-duty cast-iron case for durability.

The transfer of the power supplied by this engine to the wheels enables the tiller to perform effectively while tackling your largest landscaping job. The counter-rotating tines and the 13-inch self-propelled tires will make breaking new ground so easy like a breeze.

This tiller also featured an easy to adjust depth gauge, which allows the operator to work at a consistent depth all through while maintaining balance in different conditions.

That’s not all; this indispensable tilling machine also features counter-rotation tilling process, and convenient handle controls, giving you the ultimate total control of the machine.

The tiller is designed with a low fuel shut-off sensor; it can hold 0.9 gallons of fuel while having a 0.6-quart fuel capacity. To round it off, Champion’s 19-inch Dual rotating tine tiller is EPA Certified and CARB compliant.

Pros

• Great rear tine tiller
• Highly efficient
• Powerful 212cc engine
• The tines can rotate in both forward and reverse directions
• A Two-year limited warranty
• Easy to adjust depth gauge

Cons

• 8-inches tilling depth only
• The warranty span is relatively short.

 

2. Earthquake Rear Tine Tiller

Last update on 2023-11-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The next tiller to earn a spot in our list is the Earthquake 196cc powerful Rear tine tiller.

If you are looking for a compact, high performance and easy to use Tilling machine to add to your garden, then the Earthquake rear tine tiller is what you’re looking for.

The tiller is designed in such a way that operating it is hassle-free. The tiller features a powerful 4-cycle 196cc engine, which is strong enough to till up new ground. Though the tiller may look somewhat sophisticated, it’s compact, well balanced, and lightweight, making it easy to control with just one hand.

Though the tiller may not have many capabilities, it is, however, the best at what it does. To make your tilling job much easier, Earthquake rear tine tiller features a reverse gear control option.

The wheels are airless, and as such, allows you till up efficiently even on the most challenging terrains without any issue. It’s no news that the tiller is quite expensive, it’s however, worth paying for.

Pros

• Easy to maneuverability
• Compact
• Made with highly durable material
• Works like a beast
• Single-handed control

Cons

• Quite powerful but not the most powerful tiller out there
• Little pricey

 

3. Craftsman Gas Powered Rear Counter Rotating Tine Tiller

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Perfect your lawn with the Craftsman’s 208cc 16” Gas-powered Rear Tine Tiller. If you are looking for a medium-size tilling machine to provide you with all the power you needed for breaking new ground, this is your best option.

The tiller is powered by a 208cc engine with a recoil start. The machine has the ability to till up soil up to 6” depth and 16” width.

Its narrow yet adjustable tilling width allows you till up those tight spaces. While the counter-rotating tines let you dig deeper into the soil, breaking new ground easily. Unlike most tillers, this tilling machine features a protective tine shield that helps protect you from both the tines and flying debris.

It’s not ours to make exaggerations, but this tiller is one of the best for tilling up larger planting areas. The tiller’s 13 “X5” pneumatic tires allow for excellent maneuverability and traction; at the same time the loop and bail handle offers you optimal control.

We understand that this tiller may not be the most suitable for everyone, but if you’ve annual cover crops to till under, this machine will be of great help to you. To ensure customer satisfaction, the tiller is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.

Pros

• Good power for its size
• The tine shield is super great
• Durable design
• 10-Inch rear steel tines
• Counter-rotating tines
• Easy to handle

Cons

• Its shallow tilling-depth is suitable only for basic garden duties
• Require consistent maintenance

 

4. YARDMAX Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Last update on 2023-11-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The next tiller to spot a position on our list is the Yardmax YT4564 Dual-rotating Rear Tine Tiller.

This device delivers a remarkable, unmatched groundbreaking and garden preparation in any soil type regardless of the toughness of the soil type. With a forward-rotation for cultivation and a backward (counter) rotation for deep soil tilling, the 208cc high powered engine delivers outstanding torque and rotational speed.

The Yardmax rear tine tiller is guaranteed to get you the job done with less hassle in no time. The rear tines can go quite deep into the ground up to 6.5 inches, and the tines are relatively wide with the 13-inches body. With a total width of 18 inches tine section, this tiller can be said to be a very fast, high capacity and heavy-duty tiller.

Talking about speed and strength, not only the engine but the design of the tiller’s front part, also contributes to making things easier and better.

The convenient single-hand operation for this tiller allows the operator to stand and steer from both sides, while the self-propelled drive-system (one forward and one reverse gear) offers enhanced control. Talking about the safety features, the serrated rear shield and the adjustable side shield enhance safety and performance.

With the perfect combination of performance and practicality, Yardmax 208cc tiller is the perfect tilling machine for both DIYers and professional contractors.

Pros

• Powerful Briggs and Stratton engines
• Dual rotating rear tines
• Easy to use
• Cover more ground
• Self-sharpening tines
• 7-Depth adjustment

Cons

• More suitable for light-duty
• The wheels could be larger

5. Earthquake Heavy Duty Front Tine Tiller

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The list of the best tillers for breaking new ground will not be complete without the Earthquake 31042 Badger front tine tiller. The tiller burst of having a high-performance front tine powered with a powerful Kohler engine. The tiller is rugged, heavy-duty designed for industrial use. This device featured a Badger gear-drive front tine rototiller, which has more advantages over the conventional front tine tillers. The exclusive cast-iron hinged tail mount, wheel and drag-stake assembly of the Badger front line tiller give the tiller more stability and versatility. Built with durability in mind, the Badger front tine tiller features a bronze gear drive transmission, heavy-duty forged tines, a cast-iron tail mount, and an all-steel designed frame.

Pros

• Rugged durability
• Incredible stability
• Easy to maneuver
• Outstanding performance
• Multiple tilling widths

Cons

• Quite pricey
• Not the most powerful tiller

 

6. Troy-Bilt Super-Bronco Rotating Tine Tiller

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If you’re looking for a tilling machine capable of breaking new ground or loosening the soil which has been cultivated before, then the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco tiller is what you are looking for.

The tiller is powerful, compact, yet sold at a reasonable price that won’t break your bank. With 16-inch tilling width, you will be breaking wide area of new ground in no time.

The tiller is equipped with a cast-iron encased bronze-gear transmission. This feature is very important for the tiller’s ruggedness and durability. In addition, the tines are also made of high-quality carbon steel to provide extra strength.

The Troy-Bronco is equipped with counter-rotating tines that allow the tines to rotate in the opposite direction of the wheels. This is a very important feature that allows the tiller to dig deeper and faster into hard ground and to work efficiently under challenging conditions.

The 13-inch wheels and AG tires are designed to allow easy maneuverability even under the most difficult terrain. The Troy Bronco tiller featured easy to fold handles, which make storage and transportation easier.

When breaking new ground using a tiller, you are likely to come across the roots of previous crops, which may easily spoil your tines. That is not the case with the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco; the tiller is equipped with powerful counter-rotating tines, which makes breaking new ground the simplest task to do.

Pros

• Made with high-quality steel for durability
• Reverse option
• Powerful engine
• Offers up to 16-inch tilling width
• Works great on any soil type

Cons

• The handle is too lightweight
• The adjustment bolt for the torque is not easily adjustable

7. Husqvarna Counter Rotation Rear Tine Tiller

Last update on 2023-11-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This tilling machine performs flawlessly with plenty of power. The Briggs & Straton engine is a one-pull-start. Amazingly, the Husquarma rear tine tiller does not jump around unnecessarily like most tillers with front tines do; it’s much easier to control.

With the professionally engineered 17-inch tilling width, The Husquarma Rear Tine Tiller allows you to tackle larger areas in no time.

This unit features counter-rotating tines that are powered by 208cc Briggs and Straton engine; the engine produces enough power to allow you till up your garden.

The 13-inch pneumatic tires have quality treads that offer the tiller unconditional traction when tilling on wet or hilly soil. The handles featured by this tiller are another reason why this unit is considered to be the best rototiller in the market.

Pros

• The Briggs and Straton engine is just great
• Performs flawlessly
• The rear tines do not jump around
• Easy to handle
• Relatively affordable
• The Tines are Counter-rotating

Cons

• The overall weight is on the heavy side
• The 6-inch tilling depth can be improved

 

How to Select Best Tiller For Breaking New Ground – Buyer’s Guide

Buying the best tiller for breaking new ground can be a very challenging task, especially if you have never bought one before. Here are some of the important factors you need to put into consideration before you make your choice.

• The size of your garden

The size of the garden is one of the most important factors to consider before buying a tiller for breaking new ground. If you’re planning to till up a large garden, then you’ll need to get a heavy-duty tiller. The tiller you choose should be rugged enough and have all the features needed, such as wide tilling width to tackle the job more rapidly. You will not be able to comfortably use a corded tiller on a large garden.

• The Depth of the Dig

If you are planning to dig deeper into the soil while breaking new ground, you need certain types of tilling machines such as the front tine tillers. Digging deeper into the soil requires a very powerful engine. You will need to check if the tiller features a very powerful engine, such as a 4-stroke engine.

Most front tine tillers have a tilling depth of about 10-inches, whereas, rear tine tillers have an adjustable tilling depth ranging between 6-10 inches. But if you’ve just a small plot of land to till, a mini tiller will suffice.

• The soil type

The type of soil you will be tilling is another vital factor to consider while selecting the right tilling machine. You don’t need too much power from your tiller if the soil you will be working on is soft. But the case is different when you are working on hard, compact ground or rocky ground. A rear tine tiller is particularly the best option for hard, compact, or rocky ground. A front tine tiller is suitable for moderately packed soil, whereas, loose or pre-tilled ground can be handled by a cultivator.

• Design/features

You need to look out for some vital features in order to determine the suitability of the tiller for your tilling job. In as much as the power is important, so is the size of the tiller. But you may need to look over certain features that will best suit your tilling needs. Some of those features are:

Folding handles: this makes transport and storage much more convenient.

Adjustable control handle: This feature lets the operator move the tines up, down, and sideways to adjust the tilling depth and width, respectively.

Reverse Drive: this is particularly important as the reverse option makes the tiller maneuverable.

• Tines

The tines are the most important component of the tiller. It’s the tines that do the tilling job. The number of the tines, their length, and how the tines are positioned affects how a tiller operates. You need longer tines if you need to dig greater depth, but you can use short tines if you won’t be digging too deep. Depending on how the tines are positioned, we have the Rear tines, the Mid tines and the Front tines. And each of these have their own advantages

• Engine

We have electric powered-engines which are used to power mini tillers (cultivators). Cultivators are suitable for mini garden jobs. But if you need enough power for that tough task, your only option is to go for tiller with fuel or gas-powered engine. You can choose between a 4-stroke or a 2-stroke engine. The 4-stroke engine uses gasoline or paraffin, and it’s more powerful. While the 2-stroke engine uses the mixture of gas and oil as fuel. It has ample power, but it is not as powerful as the 4-stroke engine.

Conclusion

A tiller is an important part of a farm or garden tool kit. Even though it’s bigger and pricier, it’s very necessary. Of course, the best tiller for breaking new ground does not come up cheap, and as such, you cannot just purchase any tiller that catches your eye and expect it to serve you well.

You need to consider the garden size, the soil type, type of the tiller (all the features you need) and much more. That is why we took our time to come up with this best tiller for breaking new ground review. We highly recommend the Earthquake 196cc Rear tine tiller. This tiller is rugged and powerful. It’s also loaded with all the features needed to get you started.