Front Tine Vs Rear Tine Tiller | Which One is The Best?

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by John Patterson

Front tine and Rear tine tillers are an exciting topics to discuss. Though these machines do the same job, they have some differences worth mentioning.

The construction is not the same. Besides the construction, the application is also different. They vary in robustness, maneuverability, the type and area of your garden you need to cover, the current condition of the soil, etc.

Don’t be troubled. I’m going to solve the puzzle in no time.

Bear with me and read this article because I will discuss the front tine tiller, its uses, benefits, and pitfalls. I’ll also tell you about the rear tine tillers with their uses, upsides, and downsides.

Let’s begin.

What is a Front Tine Tiller? – Its Uses, Benefits, and Pitfalls

As the name suggests, a front tine tiller is a kind of tiller where the tines are positioned in the front of the unit. That means the blade is placed in front of the wheel.

This type of tiller typically has an engine right above the blade, giving some extra weight to help the tires work better. That means it provides some support for breaking the soil effortlessly.

In the case of a front tine tiller, it pushes the tiller instead of pulling it. Generally, you will find the wheels of the front tine tiller are smaller than a rear tine tiller. The whole unit (front tine tiller) is smaller than its rear tine counterpart.

The wheels are not self-propelled. You need to control the grip and stop it from propelling when required.

On the downside, if you want to till too deep, then a front tine tiller is not the best option. Moreover, the soil needs to be broken to some extent to get the best result with this type of tiller.

Let’s see some of this type of tiller’s core benefits and pitfalls.

What is a Rear Tine Tiller? – Its Uses, Benefits, and Pitfalls

Regarding the blade position concerning the wheels, rear tine tillers are the opposite of front tine tillers. That means in the case of rear tine tillers, the blades are in the back of the unit, and the wheels are in the front.

It’s not all about the blade position. Rear tine tillers are more robust and valuable for heavier-duty jobs than front tine tillers.

It typically has bigger wheels than its front-tine counterparts, which are self-propelled. In the case of rear tine tillers, the blades can rotate both in forwarding and backward directions.

This type of tiller has a more powerful engine and can cover more expansive space than the front tine tillers. That’s why it’s perfect for large open spaces.

Let’s summarize some of the core upsides and downsides of this type of tiller.

Front Tine Tiller and Rear Tine Tiller – Which One is Better?

So, what is the difference between front and rear tine tillers?

If you’ve gone through the above sections where I’ve discussed the tillers, by now, you must be clear about the definition and uses of these tools.

But which one is better? It depends on the application, mostly. If you plan to cover a small garden and the soil is already broken to some extent, you will want to go for front tine tillers.

On the flip side, if you are going to cover ample space, and need to deal with virgin soil, then you need a more robust tool like rear tine tiller. If you are a serious gardener, then the rear tine tillers are the best bet for you without any doubt.

On the other hand, if you are a hobbyist gardener and require a medium-duty solution regarding power, then you should go for a front tine tiller. It won’t be wise to spend extra money on the rear tine tillers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#1. How to use a front tine tiller?

Answer: It’s as easy as pie.

First, remove all the large stones, branches, etc., from the ground, if there are any. This will keep the blade from being damaged. You should wear gardening gloves and boots before operating the tiller.

Then adjust the stake on the back of the unit to the desired depth. Next, start the engine. I’m considering you are using a petrol front tine tiller. In that case, engage the choke and open the throttle about halfway.

Bring back the choke lever to the open position once the engine starts. Opening the throttle speeds up the engine, and speeding up the unit ensures the best tilling.

Allow the tiller to move forward. You will have to pass over the garden to get the best result. After finishing the tilling, stop the engine and clean the tiller.

#2. Which one is better? Front or rear tine tiller?

Answer: I’ve already discussed that above. In a nutshell, it depends on your needs.

To deal with virgin soil and large open spaces, you should choose rear tine tillers to get a powerful unit. To deal with already broken soil, smaller space, and to reach tight corners, you should choose a front tine tiller.

#3. How to use a rear tine tiller?

Answer: The process is almost similar to the using procedure of the front tine tiller that I discussed above.

I believe you got a helpful user manual with the unit you bought. Follow the instructions and locate the emergency stop, on/off switch, etc. Set the stake to the desired depth.

Then set the drive control and tine control to neutral and start the unit. Next, set the drive control to D.

Now, grip the handle and raise the handle upwards to lift the back of the tiller. Engage the throttle and move to the soil.

#4. What is the best rear tine tiller to buy?

Answer: You will find several top-notch rear tine tillers offering all the required features that you expect from this type of unit. Some cost more, and some cost less.

If you find one of the best rear tine tillers, I suggest the YARDMAX Rotating Rear Tine Tiller. If you find a premium option, go for the Earthwise TC70001 Tiller.

#5. What is the best front tine garden tiller?

Answer: Like the rear tine tillers, you can choose from multiple top-quality front tine tillers. You can go for the Southland Outdoor Front Tine Tiller to get the best overall result.

On the other hand, if you want a pricey but premium option, then Earthwise TC70016 Front Tine Tiller would be the best bet for you.

#6. Who makes the best rear tine tiller?

Answer: As I said, you can choose from several good brands.

Out of those expert rear tine tillers manufacturers, I suggest the following brands to my readers –

• Yardmax
• Troy-Bilt.
• Husqvarna
• Craftsman
• Champion
• Earthquake
• Southland

All the above brands excel in quality and produce different models of rear tine tillers of varying price ranges. You can trust any of those brands without any second thought.

Final Words

I believe this article helped you to answer all the questions you might have had regarding front-tine and rear-tine tillers. As you can see, they are not competitors but almost similar machines that do the same job.

However, the application, robustness, and some other features are clearly different from what I mentioned.

I hope you didn’t miss out on the frequently asked questions section, where I dealt with several questions that demanded a proper answer.

It’s you who should decide on the better option for you. Which one do you think is the best bet based on your needs?