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The patented S-shaped tines are able to slice through sod, penetrate hard clay and bring rocks to the surface for easy removal. "You can trench, plant trees, remove stumps, fence posts and more with a hand-held tiller. They are an extremely popular rental because they are easy to use, nearly effortless to transport and multi-capable, offering the rental dealer additional rental applications."

She continues, "Bigger does not always mean better for the customer. There's transport, trailers, training and customer apprehension when it comes to larger equipment."

Front- or mid-tine tillers are the most common in rental inventories. This type of tiller has the tines at the front of the machine and a set of wheels and a drag bar in the rear at the operator's position. The wheels are only used to transport the tiller to the work; once ready to till it is important to pivot the wheels up and lower the drag bar to a comfortable height. This allows the operator to control the forward motion of the tiller by applying more or less downward pressure on the drag bar.

Front-tine tillers have a wide range of uses, says Fisackerly. "They can be used to break ground, till, mix in soil amendments and dig holes. With accessories they can cultivate, plow, aerate, thatch, harvest and plow snow."

As useful as they are, Larry Seymour, national sales manager at BCS America, says they aren't the most user-friendly, as they depend on the operator and gravity to be productive. "The reality is they require some technique and effort," he says.