Tiller suggestion...

[lesa]

I have read a few posts about people lusting for tillers. I am not sure about your neck of the woods, but here in upstate NY, it is very easy and cheap to rent a tiller. We have Agway stores here which have really good tillers, well maintained, etc for rental of 35.00 per day. That is a deal that really works for me. They store it, fix it when it is broken. Don't know if this type of thing is available elsewhere, but I thought I would throw it out there!! Happy Gardening!

 

[bid]

Good suggestion Lesa! Most areas offer tiller and other equipment rental so a few tips I would add if anyone decides to rent any type of machinery:

Have the staff start/crank the item and demonstrate it's use/features, then try it yourself. This will allow you to determine if you can handle that particular machine easily and safely and whether or not it is in good working order;

If they offer optional insurance on the item, BUY IT! It's a lot cheaper than having to replace or repair the item;

Wear proper shoes and clothing/eye protection etc. when operating. It only takes a second for a machine to reach out and grab you.

 

[ducks4you]

Great idea! Mine cost ~$650.00, is considered middle-of-the-road, and NOT designed to break up sod. No worry, though, because my 5 acres are black topsoil humus anyway, so it's not too hard for my tiller to tackle.
...Wish it was tilling season... **sigh** :/

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

Around here tillers rent for about $50 per day. The tiller I have is a 5HP Wizard that my dad bought for my mother (brand new) about 17 yrs ago. We affectionately call her "Bessie".....lol. She still starts on the 3rd try and I have yet to find anything she won't till except for maybe a LARGE rock or mesquite root.

Considering that we can use her whenever we want or need to (i.e. starting the garden for the year, prepping a new flower bed, cultivating during the growing season, etc, etc) I would say it has been well worth having our own.

 

[seedcorn]

use to rent tillers but I did the math and bought one.

Bought a MTD rear tyne for $400 (I know they are higher). I use it parts of about 6 days a year. The cost of running into town, renting for 1/2 a day.

If you have a dry place to store it, keep oil changed, they'll last for years w/no maintance. For me, not owning one there were times I wished I had a tiller but too cheap to go rent one where now, if I want to use one, go to shed, start it up. Hour or so later, done.

Plus mine is much nicer than what you can rent.