Senior Citizen Tiller Recommendation

20 years ago

My Dad is almost 74 years old and is considering replacing his old BCS with something smaller. He has trimmed down his garden over the past few years and the BCS is just to wide and getting to hard to handle for his age.

He is considering some of the smaller Troy-Bilt tillers, like the "Pony" or the "Tuffy" models. I have been looking at these tillers online and it appears that the Tuffy model has counter rotating tines.

My questions are:

1. What make & model tiller would you recommend?

2. What is the advantage to counter rotating tines?

3. How do these smaller tillers handle gardening chores and are they easy enought for a senior to handle?

4. I have notice that other brands like Simplcity and Snapper have rear tine tillers too. I thought Ariens use to sell rear tine tillers too, but I can't find them online, thought the Snapper/Simplicity tillers look similar to what I remember Ariens use to sell. Opinions?

Any advise would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Bill

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Comments (4)

canguy
20 years ago
Ariens got out of the tiller market about ten years ago. The new Troybilts are rebadged MTD's which are light. They are not a long lasting unit but probably all your dad will need.
The reverse rotating tillers work great for busting sod but are not the best for cultivating. The dirt tends to pile in front of the tines and I have found they have to be wrestled when they get stuck, not the best deal for a senior. Would a mini-tiller like a Mantis work for him?
bbriggs
20 years ago
I agree with canguy, counter-rotating tines are best left to breaking new ground. My tillers are a Troy-bilt horse and a Mantis. A friend has one of the newer and cheaper Pony 'Troy-bilt' tillers, he's very pleased. However, I'd agree with canguy - a mini-tiller can do a lot of work AND do some things the larger ones can't. Here there is good dealer support for Mantis, they're a well-tried product, and mine works great. Maybe take them up on their 1 year trial offer?
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dmullen
20 years ago
A few years ago my local garden shop told me to borrow his mini-tiller for the weekend. He knew what he was doing. I returned on Monday and bought one. We use it more than we use our 8 hp tiller. Much more. It will do everything.
maineman
20 years ago
Another small tiller is the Red Ox tiller. It is somewhat larger than the Mantis class tillers.

MM