Best Rear Tine Garden Tiller of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

1. Earthquake 37037 Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller

Earthquake started as a small fabricating shop in 1960 in Cumberland, Wisconsin. Through hard work and innovation, it steadily gained the trust of professionals and homeowners who want to do the jobs themselves.

It has since grown into one of the more recognizable brands in gardening and landscaping.

The 37037 Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller is a top-tier offering from its extensive selection of tilling equipment. It has dual-direction tines, instant reverse, and other features that justify its price tag.

Product Highlights

Gardeners and landscapers will have to shell out a sizeable amount of money to get the Earthquake 37037. Nevertheless, here are some of the reasons it's worth every penny.

• Powerful Engine

Inside the Earthquake 37037, you will find a robust 99-cc engine that can help you pulverize compacted dirt quickly. It is just the right size, as it is not too heavy to handle but strong enough for a smooth and quiet operation.

This tiller provides maximum aeration, leaving the seedbed perfectly ready for planting.

It does most of the hard work so you won’t have to. 

• Wide Tilling Area

The Earthquake 37037’s blade system offers a tilling width of 17 inches or 43.2 centimeters. It lets you bust the sod and break the ground quickly and effortlessly.

In other words, you can get more things done in less time. This is true whether you are preparing a new garden bed or planning to add a large amount of organic material.

• Dual-Direction Tines

One of the features that set the Earthquake 37037 apart from other models is its dual-direction tines. If you are dealing with very tough soil or stubborn sod, you can use the counter-rotating tines or CRT.

Once you have broken the ground, you can use the standard rotating tines or SRT to create a hospitable environment for planting. With this equipment, you can turn any terrain into a smooth seedbed.

• Total Control

Rear tine tillers are best for breaking sod and tilling the soil. However, many gardeners and landscapers are hesitant about using them.

The biggest reason behind this is that rear tine tillers are usually too powerful or bulky to control. This is not a problem with the Earthquake 37037.

It is designed to give the user more control. The transmission is strategically located in the middle of the equipment to optimize balance and stability.

In addition, the dual-control handlebars make it easier to maneuver the compact body around tight spaces and sharp corners. Finally, the airless tires offer maximum traction, making it easier to handle the tiller.

The Good

Perhaps the biggest draw of the Earthquake 37037 Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller is its flexibility. One minute, you can use it for yard work that requires much brawn, like breaking tough soil or cutting through sod.

The next minute, you can use it to prepare the seedbed carefully.

The Bad

Some users complain that the gas tank is a bit small, and the gas runs out after less than two hours of operation.

2. Champion Power Equipment 19-Inch Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Champion Power Equipment is an industry leader when it comes to power generation. On top of this, it also designs and manufactures handy tools that make the life of homeowners and landscapers easier.

The Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller is a mid-tier offering from its catalog of tillers. It's perfect for passionate gardeners and professional landscapers.

Product Highlights

The Champion Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller offers a good balance between performance and cost. Here’s a closer look at some of the key features that make it a great buy.

• Extensive Tilling Width

This Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller from Champion has a 19-inch tilling width which allows you to cover much ground quickly. What is more, it can have a maximum depth of up to eight inches.

It allows you to switch from tilling to planting in no time at all. With this tiller, you can create large plots for your herbs, vegetables, and other plants with little effort.

• Adjustable Tilling Depth

The Champion Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller has four 13.8-inch tines that work together to loosen the soil effortlessly. They are designed for bidirectional shredding, optimizing performance.

The depth gauge that runs behind the tiller is easy to adjust. This feature helps achieve the right cultivation level depending on what you want to plant.

• Powerful Engine

The Champion Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller features a 212cc engine that drives a heavy-duty transmission. The engine is made from sturdy cast iron, while the transmission is housed in a similar material.

Together, the two components maximize the transfer of power, allowing you to tackle the toughest gardening jobs and biggest yard projects.

• Dual Rotating Tines

With the Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller, you can switch seamlessly between forward and reverse rotation. This feature has many applications, including non-tilling activities.

For instance, you can use the reverse rotation for short periods to get the equipment out of tough spots.

• Self-Propelled Tires

One of the bigger challenges when working on rough terrains is how to move from point A to point B. It is understandable as most machines are bulky and heavy and could easily get stuck. This is not a problem with the Champion Power Equipment Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller.

It has two 13-inch agricultural wheels for easy control and transportation. They are self-propelled, allowing the tiller to power through an uneven ground with relative ease. This feature allows you to get more done with less time and effort.

The Good

The first thing that will catch your attention about this product is its dual rotating tines. This feature comes in handy when you need to get the equipment out of tough spots by backtracking a bit.

The 19-inch tilling width is also very helpful in accomplishing large yard projects easier and quicker.

The Bad

The Dual Rotating Rear Tine Tiller does not have a truly neutral gear for its tines. This makes it a bit difficult to move the equipment around when not in operation.

In addition, the drive wheels do not have a reverse or neutral setting.

3. Troy-Bilt Bronco Powermore Counter Rotating Rear Tine Tiller

Troy-Bilt is a brand recognized by most homeowners, DIYers, and professional gardeners. It has a long history behind it, as far back as 1937 when it introduced the first rototiller.

It now has a full line of gardening and landscaping products, including riding mowers, snowblowers, string trimmers, and others. 

The Bronco Powermore Rear Tine Tiller is an entry-level offering from its wide selection of tillers. It is an excellent option for budget-conscious buyers looking to get the best tiller for their money.

Product Highlights

The Bronco Powermore Counter Rotating Rear Tine Tiller is inexpensive for a rear tine tiller. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that it is low-quality.

It is packed with key features that people look for in a reliable tiller.

• Counter-Rotating Tines

One of the things that set the Bronco Powermore apart from other models in the same price range is its counter-rotating tines. It means that the blades rotate in the opposite direction as the drive wheels.

This is the ideal setup for breaking fresh ground, which is what you want to do if you need to create a new garden. At the same time, you can use the tiller to prepare the ground for seeding or adding compost.

• Powerful Motor

The Bronco Powermore Rear Tine Tiller sports a 208cc, four-cycle, overhead-valve or OHV engine. With this configuration, the machine can maximize the fuel mixture intake and make the exhaust quicker and more complete.

In other words, you get plenty of power, allowing you to turn over large amounts of soil in a short time.

• Extensive Tilling Width

The Bronco Powermore has a 14-inch tilling width, which is more than enough for small to medium-sized yards and gardens. It also has 10-inch tines that can dig as far as six inches into the toughest and most hard-packed soil.

The tines rotate in the opposite direction, so their efficiency in breaking new ground increase even more.

• Easy to Use

Another thing that makes the Bronco Powermore unique is that you can guide the tiller with just one hand. This is hard to believe, given that rear tine tillers are typically clunky and hard to handle.

However, it has a well-balanced and easy-to-control design called the Just One Hand operation. This feature is hard to find even in some high-end models.

On top of all these design elements, the Bronco Powermore also has wider one-inch handles. These handles provide excellent grip, so it's easier to stabilize the equipment during operation.

In addition, the 11-inch agricultural tires provide more traction and enhance the tiller’s stability.

The Good

One of the main reasons we are bullish about the Troy-Bilt Bronco Powermore is its ability to break new ground. The counter-rotation complements the tine design, maximizing the tiller’s capacity to turn over large amounts of soil.

Also, we have to mention the Just One Hand operation again, which describes how easy it is to use the tiller.

The Bad

If you need to work on a huge yard, this product might not be for you. While it is no slouch, the 14-inch tilling width might not be enough for you to cover a sizeable area.

4. DR Rear Tine Tiller

DR Power Equipment is an American company specializing in home improvement tools and equipment. It has been making high-quality mowers, snowblowers, vacuums, and other products since 1985.

The DR Rear Tine Tiller is one of the more popular products from its wide range of garden rototillers and cultivators. This model is a top-of-the-line, walk-behind rototiller from DR.

It’s a bit more expensive than some other brands, but it has all the features that serious gardeners need in a tiller.

Product Highlights

The DR Rear Tine Tiller has offers great value for your money because of the following features:

• Powerful Engine

This machine carries a powerful 208cc engine with a gross torque of 9.5 ft-lbs. It has an overhead valve or OHV configuration known to maximize durability and longevity. It also features an easy-start technology.

On top of all these features, the engine also uses a debris management system. This built-in system protects the engine from anything that the tines would kick up in its direction during tilling.

• Extensive Tilling Width

The DR Rear Tine Tiller has a tilling width of 18 inches, which lets you take on medium to large yard projects. It uses a total of 10 tines, all of which are designed to maximize efficiency when turning over soil.

Each tine is capable of digging up to 11 inches into the ground. With this much range, this tiller will help you create the garden of your dreams in a short time.

• Dual Rotating Tines

The dual rotating tines give the DR Rear Tine Rototiller much flexibility in the yard or garden. With this feature, you can switch seamlessly from forward and counter-direction rotation.

Forward rotation is ideal if you want to work on established gardens. If you want to create a new garden, you would have to break new ground.

More often than not, you would have to go through highly compacted soil or stubborn sod. For this application, the counter-rotation is more suitable.

This level of versatility lets you do anything you want in your yard or garden.

• Easy to Transport

Another thing that makes the DR Rear Tine Tiller unique is its 11-inch wheels. It features a tractor-style design that makes it easier for the tiller to navigate uneven terrain.

It also uses pneumatic technology, reducing bumping and shaking for smoother transport. Finally, the wheels offer the ability to switch to neutral gear, which makes it easier to push when not in use.

Simply set the wheels to free rotation and take the tiller where you need to go.

The Good

We like many things about the DR Tiller, on top of the fact that it is a workhorse.

However, what jumps out the most is its power-driven wheels, which are pneumatic and have true neutral gear. It also has a debris shield that protects the engine during operation.

The Bad

The DR Rear Tine Tiller is a bit more expensive than other brands. That said, if you have the budget for it, you will get a powerful tiller that comes with all the bells and whistles.

5. Earthquake 31285 Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller

Earthquake makes another landing on this list with the 31285 Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller.

It has similar features to the first product but comes at a slightly lower price point. It is designed for gardeners and landscapers on a budget.

Product Highlights

The 31285 Rear Tine Tiller has all the hallmarks of a great yard tool but without the hefty price tag. Here are some of the key features you can expect from this model:

• Seamless Shifting

Getting the gear just right can be a challenge for dual-direction tillers. Fortunately, this is not a problem with the Earthquake 31285 Rear Tine Tiller.

It offers frustration-free shifting that takes away all the guesswork from positioning the gear. You can simply slide the shift handle on the locator plate to set your preferred mode.

• Instant Reverse

The Earthquake 31285 steers away from the traditional way to back up a tiller. Instead of using the usual shifting process, all you need to do is pull the handle to maneuver backward.

Once you are done, just release the handle to move forward again. This instant reverse function gives you much flexibility in your yard or garden.

• Airless Wheels

With the airless wheels on the Earthquake 31285, you do not have to worry about getting a flat. This feature comes in handy when you’re working on rough terrain with sharp objects.

Aside from not requiring air, the wheels also have a very wide profile. They provide maximum traction, making it easy for the tiller to claw at the dirt.

• Easy to Maneuver

During tilling, you need to step out of the path. The best way to do this is by using only one hand.

With the dual-grip handlebars, you can use the Earthquake 31285 using one hand. In addition, it is very compact and highly maneuverable, allowing you to pivot at the end of garden rows with ease.

The Good

There are many things to like about the Earthquake 31285 Rear Tine Tiller, but its price stands out the most. It’s very affordable for a rear tine tiller but offers many of the key features that you find in more expensive brands. 

The Bad

The engine of the Earthquake 31285 is smaller than other models. This could be a problem if you need to work on sizeable yards or gardens.  

Buyer’s Guide

The rear tine tiller is a garden workhorse, and it is easy to see why most homeowners and landscaping professionals get one. However, picking the best rear tine garden tiller is a difficult decision-making process.

Thus, below are some features to prioritize when picking the machine for your garden.

Type of Tine

The first thing you need to look at when shopping around for a tiller is the type of tine. Your choice will determine how effective you will be once you start working on your yard.

Dual-rotating tines are the best option as they give you the most flexibility. Meanwhile, counter-rotating tines are best for breaking new ground and compacted soil.

Lastly, forward-rotating tines are common on basic models, but they usually cut five inches deep only.

Shifting Capability

Transmission is another key feature you need to consider when choosing a tiller. The ability to move in the reverse direction makes it easier for you to re-align or turn the machine in tight places.

This feature is easy to overlook, but it can actually make a big difference when it comes to convenience.

Tilling Depth and Width

Your choice of tilling depth and width is essential. The good thing is that this decision is pretty much straightforward.

It will depend mostly on the size of your yard. Your location and what type of plants you want will also impact this decision.

Engine

The engine plays a very important role for tillers, but choosing based on this feature is fairly easy. Just make sure that its size complements the tiller’s depth and width.

The more soil you have to turn over, the bigger the engine you need.

Rear Tine Garden Tiller FAQs

1. Can I Adjust the Cultivating Depth?

Different gardens have different tilling needs, which is why tillers have depth adjustments. Some brands offer three settings, while others let you change the height in 10 different ways. The more control you have, the better.

2. Will Rear Tine Tillers Work on Uneven Terrain?

The engine of a rear tine tiller is located at the front, which makes it easier to spin the tines. As a result, this type of tiller can navigate rough terrains and uneven surfaces.

3. When Is the Best Time to Till?

The best time to use your rear tine tiller is when the soil is not wet. So early spring or right before it is the right time to work on your yard.

4. How Often Should I Till My Garden?

Experienced gardeners say that you should till your garden twice a year. The first one is right before planting, and the second is after the harvest before winter.

Which Rear Tine Garden Tiller Should You Choose?

While all the machines offer high-quality performance, the Earthquake 31285 Rear Tine Tiller comes out on top.

It offers seamless shifting, instant reverse, and other key features packed in a compact body. It also comes with a reasonable price tag, making it an excellent buy for garden lovers and professionals.