Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I realize we're in the dead of winter here, but I'm looking at buying a rear tine tiller this spring. I'm planning on putting my garden about 100 yards from my shed. I'm generally a Honda person, but their rear tine tiller is a lot of money! The biggest difference I see on the Honda vs. others like Troy-Bilt is the fact that is has multiple speeds. How important is having a separate transport speed?

I have a Honda FRC 800.  It has two speeds for tilling and 3 forward transport speeds with reverse. These are pretty expensive new but sometimes you can get them at a reasonable price used.  you can easily move this machine 100 yards in less than a minute in third gear.


I got mine in trade for a snow blower that i had for sale.  Woman had it listed on craigslist looking to trade for a snow blower.  I just so happened to have a older Areins that i was selling so we made the trade.  She only lived 3 miles from me so it was a no brainer.   I took it apart cleaned it up and gave it a paint job.  Runs and looks like new.

The frc800 is a large machine and if you find one you will need two strong men to get it into the back of a pickup unless you have ramps and can drive it in.

I'm in the market for a tiller, also.  However, I've been eyeing the mid-tine tillers (Honda FC600).  I understand they can till down to a 12" depth vs. the 8" depth of the rear-tine tillers.  I've been borrowing a friend's old (one of the real ones) Troy-Bilt rear-tine, from the 1980's, and it has worked well, but doesn't seem to dig deep enough for my tastes.

Anybody have any experiences with the mid-tine tillers (Honda or Merry)?