If you are digging in the garden, here is how to find the right machine for the job.

adjustable tiller or cultivating? Gardeners often use these two words as if they mean the same thing, but they are actually different tools. These machines look similar. Although tillers are usually larger than field cultivators, each machine is designed to perform a unique function in the garden, and they are actually not interchangeable. Rotary tiller or tiller is the heavier and more powerful of the two. Tillers are used to dig deep and actively to open up the soil-for example, when you create a brand new garden bed or start at the beginning of the season. Different models provide a range of configurations and functions, such as rear or front teeth, variable depth settings, forward and reverse rotation tooth operation, etc.

However, the field cultivator is built for skill. They are used to agitate loose soil to incorporate fertilizers, break down crusted soil before irrigation, or assist in weeding. They are small and light, but powerful, with a smaller working area and higher accuracy. If you are not sure whether the task at hand requires a cultivator and tiller, please read on to learn more about these two important gardening machines.

The cultivator mixes the soil, and the tiller breaks the hard soil into pieces.
The garden cultivator is designed to perform regular maintenance tasks on already loose soil and to work around growing plants. Think of it as a hoe with a motor. The power supply and tines are specially designed to adapt to small spaces, and the lightweight frame will not actively go deep into the root area. The cultivator tines are designed to grind the soil into a fine-textured soil, which makes this tool the best choice for the final bed preparation before planting.

On the other hand, the tiller is large and heavy, and the tines are relatively large in diameter. The hand tools it replaces are hoe and shovel. Like these tools, its purpose is to dig deep and break up the hard soil in the earliest stage of bed preparation. At the end of the gardening season, the tiller also does a good job of incorporating the remaining plant material into the soil.
The power of the cultivator is often less than that of the cultivator.
The smallest garden cultivator is actually driven by humans. They look like a cross between a hoe and a rake, with a narrow head and short and curved teeth. The electric version is slightly larger and heavier and is driven by a small 2-stroke or 4-stroke gas engine, cordless electric motor or plug-in electric motor. Their power is comparable to that of wire trimmers or cordless drills, enough to agitate the soil, and light enough to operate comfortably. Field cultivators can go to places that cultivators simply cannot reach: their small size and light motor allow them to easily operate around growing plants.

The tillers are larger and more difficult to manipulate than the field cultivator.
Even the most compact front-tooth rotary tiller is comparable to the size of a pneumatic push lawn mower. The larger rear fork tiller has an engine size comparable to some riding lawn mowers. These machines are designed for use on the ground without obstacles, where they can travel in fairly long straight lines. They can clear the space between the vegetable rows, but they are not suitable for fine work. Forget about using one of them to prepare beds less than about 20 feet long; they are too large and bulky to be practical. Fork tillers have the best maneuverability in this group, but even they are heavy and have limited range of motion.

Cultivator and tiller

Field cultivators are mainly used to prepare existing garden beds, while tillers are used to create new beds.
When you want to break ground for a new garden bed, or plow heavy clay on an existing bed, tillers are the right tool for the job. It digs deeply, kicks out large rocks, and breaks stubborn clods with ease. On the other hand, the lighter size and articulation capabilities of power tillers make them better candidates for working on mature beds. They are good at preparing seed beds and loosening the already soft soil surface. Field cultivators can also quickly remove weeds without endangering the roots of garden plants.

Tillers are more suitable for larger jobs.
Tillers have the ability and weight to complete the arduous excavation work. Their sharp teeth are large enough to dig deep and are designed to kick out rocks. Their wider work surface covers more ground each time they pass. Many models are self-propelled, which can greatly reduce operator fatigue. In addition, many also provide useful functions such as forward or reverse tine rotation, adjustable tine width, adjustable wheel width, depth gauge and towing piles to customize the machine for the job.

Tiller vs Cultivator

The field cultivator can also be used for weeding.
Due to its shallow working depth and small size, the field cultivator is very suitable for removing weeds from the bed and around the plants easily, safely and quickly. Regular planting around garden plants can stimulate deeper root development to improve drought resistance, and the machine will hardly damage the plants. The field cultivator is convenient for regular use throughout the season. They don't take up much storage space and finish the job faster than gardening hoes.

Most tillers are equipped with gas engines, but electric engines are about to come out.
When you buy tillers and cultivators, the lines will quickly become blurred. Some manufacturers label field cultivators as tillers, and they have been doing this for a long time. The best tillers, those with long running time, heavy tines and enough power to break new ground, are equipped with gasoline engines. In other words, there are many hybrid cultivators/cultivators that are close to the capabilities of small pneumatic front fork cultivators. In this hybrid category, power continues to increase, but it is still limited.

No matter what kind of cultivator you are using, you may still need a multifunctional brush cutter , which will make your garden more tidy and bright.