If you have ever planted a garden that involved breaking the soil with a pick, turning the soil over with a shovel, raking in compost or fertilizer, and then making rows and furrows with a hoe or shovel, you know that gardening can be hard work. As a hobby, it is too labor intensive for enjoyment. All of these tasks can be done with a motorized rotary tiller, also known as a rototiller, which makes the job a whole lot easier.
Buying a Rototiller vs. Renting One
You can usually rent a rototiller from equipment rental services or lumberyards, but if you have a large garden year after year, buying a rototiller is a really good idea. It will save you money and precious time. The main question to be answered if you are considering renting or buying this awesome piece of equipment is, “How often will I use it?”
Some people don’t consider buying one if they’ll only use it once a year. Rather, they opt for renting one. If you rent a rototiller year after year, it may be cost-effective to buy one. Sometimes it is even an option to go in with a friend or neighbor to buy a rototiller to share.
Rototillers usually rent by the hour or by the day. So when you are renting, you will be pressed to get the job done rather than taking your time. When you own a rototiller, getting your garden ready for planting isn’t a big job squeezed into a little time. You can actually take your time, over several weeks, doing a little bit at a time. If you decide to add to garden later, you’ll have the equipment ready and waiting without spending more money for rent. Take these things into consideration when deciding whether to buy or rent a rototiller.
Choosing the Right Rototiller
There are lots of types of rototillers for various jobs. Some are perfect for home gardening, while some are more for commercial agriculture operations. Getting the “right” rototiller involves your long-term gardening plans. When you buy one, you want it to last for many years, so it is best to buy one that you won’t outgrow.
There are basically two types of tillers, the ones will front or mid-tine tillers and the ones with rear-tine tillers. Front-tine or mid-tine tillers have tillers that move forward when digging into the soil and they usually require multiple passes to prepare the soil. These are usually best for small to medium jobs, and they are less expensive that rear-tine tillers. They also require quite a bit of muscle to manage the machine.
Rear-tine tillers are better for large jobs. The machine is heavier than the others with tillers that rotate backward, taking less muscle. They make preparing the ground easier. They are great for hard soil. They usually have powered wheels when makes them even simpler to use.
For home gardening, mini-tillers that have front-tine tillers are usually sufficient. They weigh about twenty pounds, sometimes heavier. They are less expensive than heavy tillers and are usually all you need to prepare small to mid-size gardens. Most of them can actually be used for multi-tasking, with features that help to dig holes.
The price of a rototiller depends on the brand and model, of which there are many, and the power. The engines come in horsepower as little as one to as big as eight horsepower. The bigger ones take less effort because they can actually pull themselves through the soil while the smaller horsepower models require more manual pushing from you.
Some other things to consider when buying a rototiller is how deep the machine will till and what the warranty is. Some tillers have a limited amount of depth which may be important to you. Most good quality brands of rototillers offer a warranty on their machines. Some are for replacement while others are for repair and parts. Comparing the warranties will give you an idea as to what quality the rototillers are, and it is an important aspect of buying a rototiller, especially if you intend for it to last for your lifetime.
Owning a rototiller will make the job of gardening more enjoyable and less time-extensive. It makes it easy to prepare the ground for a flourishing garden. The size, type, power, and warranty are the most important considerations for buying a rototiller. Get one that meets your current and long-term needs and you will definitely enjoy your investment for a long time. Read up on different brands and models in determining which rototiller is best for you.
