I bought a Poulan 550 front tine tiller last year on Amazon.com for $299 free shipping. I used it to till my whole yard twice while we were thinking about what to do with the yard.

I like it well enough. I have no comparison, never use the big rear tine tillers. It was a tuff job, but it get the job done. Save me tons of money. I was quoted $1400 to till the place ones. I tilled it twice already and we still have not decided what to do. Looks like I am going to do it the third time.

If you are using for home use, I doubt the rear tine will serve you better. Front tine reach into place where rear tine won't. Unless you are planning to buy a Mantis cultivator to fill the gap, front tine is not that bad if you do it ones a year.