Mini Tiller - A Look at Small Tiller Cultivator Choices

Mini tillers are a great way to handle the tilling chores for either small gardens or those small jobs that crop up in the middle of the growing season, like renewing a small patch of your garden after the spring vegetables are done. There are a number of mini tiller choices available these days, so here is a look at some of the features you will want to consider when buying a small tiller. These can be a great choice for jobs that a large tiller don’t handle well, like preparing a raised garden bed.

What is the least expensive mini tiller? You can buy either an electric powered mini tiller or a gas one by using the tiller attachment on one of the string trimmers that has a replaceable tool head on the shaft. However, the power and balance that you get from a string trimmer based tiller with one of the $99 heads is not as good as you will get from dedicated mini tiller. But they are good for smaller jobs, and the cost is hard to beat. But doing anything more than preparing a small seed bed is tough on your back.

More Info on Mantis Tillers

Electric Mini Tiller - A good choice for many gardeners is a dedicated electric mini tiller. The electric tillers have a few advantages: easy to start (just turn it on), not nearly as noisy, and no fumes or exhaust to deal with. The disadvantages are that you either are dealing with a cord that may limit the range that you can reach, or you have to keep the battery charged for cordless tiller. Generally electric tillers will not have as much power as a gas powered tiller for the simple reason that there is a limit to how much power can be delivered through a 120V extension cord. If you are looking to do some heavy duty sod busting, this is probably not your best choice.

Gas Powered Tillers - The most powerful option, many of them these days are 4 cycle engines, but there are some 2 cycle engine tillers still around. 2 cycle require that you mix the gas with oil, but the tradeoff is that you don’t have to change or monitor oil levels. The 4 cycle can be easier to start, and at low RPM’s will deliver more power. They use regular gas, and the exhaust system tends to run cleaner.

If you start with some idea of how you expect to use one of these tillers, you will more easily focus in on the features that are important to you.

Features to look for: There are a whole host of attachments and features that are offered on these small tillers.

Wheels, ease of movement. If you have to move it a long way, or expect to do a lot of sod busting, the wheels can be a key feature. Along with this is a lift handle, which can make the transportation and use of the tiller much more convenient.

Drag stake - If you plan to use the tiller for some aggressive sod busting or weeding, a long drag stake that engages the soil will help you keep the tiller under control as you move along.

Tine removal - If you expect a lot of use, and may need to be replacing the tines, or if you are working in a lot of grassy weeds like Bermuda grass, you may find the tines wrapped up and needing to be cleaned. Easy tine removal can make this part of the chore much less work. On the subject of tines, some are just pointed or star shaped, others have angled tines. The angled tines do a better job of working the soil, and would generally be the better option.

Of course, the most popular mini tiller is one of the first of this kind to be sold and that’s the Mantis tiller series. These are solid machines, and are offered a number of places, or you can buy them directly from the manufacturer.

Other popular brands include Honda, Stihl, Troybilt, MTD, and Craftsman.

Electric Mini Tiller $249.00 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Patriot Mini Tiller $399.95 Store: Yardiac.com Tiller 4Cycle Honda $488.42 Store: Capitol Supply Tiller Electric Mantis $350.37 Store: Capitol Supply Tiller Gas Mantis 2-Cycle $350.37 Store: Capitol Supply