A Cultivator vs. Tiller: What’s the Difference?
At first glance it might seem like a cultivator and tiller are the same tool. While they both use metal blades to dig into the ground, they’re different machines meant for different size gardening jobs.
What is a cultivator? A cultivator loosens the soil in an existing planting area, weeds the area during the growing season or mixes compost into the soil. Cultivators are smaller and easier to maneuver than tillers. It works well for day-to-day gardening tasks.
What is a tiller? Tillers are more powerful than cultivators and have larger, heavy-duty tines that work the soil. A tiller is a gasoline-powered machine with a greater working width than a cultivator, making it a good option for heavier jobs. It’s meant for breaking new ground and hard soil.
Cultivator Features and Considerations
- Smaller in size and easy to maneuver.
- Cultivators work better for finishing soil prep.
- Lightly mixes and preps the soil.
- Smaller working depth lets you use a cultivator to weed around established plants.
- Cultivators come in gasoline-powered, cordless and corded electric-powered models.
- Some gasoline-powered cultivators eliminate the need for a pull cord.
- A corded cultivator requires a suitable extension cord.
- Some cultivators have a two-cycle engine and operate on a mixture of gasoline and oil while four-cycle engines eliminate the need for mixing oil and gas.
Tiller Features and Considerations
- A tiller is larger and built to handle big, challenging jobs like establishing a new garden bed.
- Strong enough to break up old plants from the previous season into the soil.
- Tiller tines dig further into the soil than a cultivator.
- Since a tiller is larger/heavier look for a self-propelled version to help.
- Maximum tilling depth and width help you match the capabilities of the machine to your planting needs.
- Reverse drive on wheel-driven tillers provides increased mobility.
- Pneumatic tires give excellent maneuverability and traction.
- Power takes off (PTO), available on select rear-tine tillers, lets you use the tiller engine to power optional ground-engaging attachments.
Types of Tillers
Front-tine tillers perform general garden maintenance like weeding, soil prep and composting in small or medium gardens. A small tiller like this has tines that help move the machine while digging into the soil. Some have the option to engage the tines in forward or reverse.
Rear-tine tillers have engine-driven wheels. These machines are best for larger planting areas. They can have forward-rotating tines that perform well in existing beds for cultivating, weeding and working in compost or old vegetation. Rear-tine tillers also have counter-rotating tines that turn in the opposite direction of the wheels. Counter-rotating tines have more torque for breaking up new ground and can dig deeper into the soil. Some rear-tine tillers offer dual-rotating tines so you can select forward or counter rotation to match the work you need to do.
Shopping for a Cultivator or Tiller
Now that you know the difference between a cultivator and tiller, it’s easy to make the best decision for you home and garden. If your jobs are mostly light, it’s smart to buy an easy-to-use cultivator to maintain your garden. If you’re breaking new ground frequently, a tiller might be your best bet. Remember, if you need a heavier duty tool less frequently you can always rent a tiller for the day.
Cultivator vs. Tiller FAQs
When in the Season Should I Till or Cultivate the Soil?
Start early! If you’re mixing in fertilizer or compost you want to give them time, like a week or two, to settle in before you put plants or seeds into the ground. It allows the nutrients to absorb into the soil and makes sure the freshly worked dirt gets water too.
Do I Need a Tiller or Cultivator for my Gardening Project?
A tiller is a larger, stronger machine meant for breaking new ground. A cultivator loosens the soil in an existing planting area, weeds the area during the growing season or mixes compost into the soil.
Are There Cultivator Options That Aren’t Gas Powered?
Yes, cultivators are available in manual and electric models. Within the electric cultivator category there are cordless and corded models.
Will a Tiller Work on Tough, Solid Ground?
A tiller is the toughest power option you have in this category. Dry, solid ground is a challenge, so make sure you’re using a machine with a large cc engine with enough power to get the job done. It also helps if the ground you’re working isn’t completely dried out.