Enjoying a magazine-worthy garden is something most homeowners would like to accomplish. However, you need to invest in the proper tools to achieve this.
It doesn’t matter if it is a simple rose garden, a small vegetable patch, or some raised beds; you need to get your soil ready for planting, and that can be a big task.
Having a tiller on hand will make this job much more efficient and less labor-intensive. If you have a small garden or need to work in narrow spaces with lose soil, a mini tiller would be a good choice.
But if you require more power, or are going to work with soil that is more compact and rocky, you should consider the Handy 3.5hp Petrol Tiller/Cultivator.
Premium Quality
- Steel frame
- Briggs & Stratton engine
Easy to Use
- Quick-start
- Forward Gear
Trusted
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
- Briggs & Stratton engine
High Performance
- 3.5 HP
- 4.5 ft-lbs of gross torque
A brand you can trust
Handy has been in business since 1938, making them one of the most experienced gardening machinery companies in the UK.
With a national network of dealers, purchasing spare parts for your tiller, or having it professionaly serviced is always possible.
When you buy a Handy machine, you can be assured that decades of experience were invested in its development.
You are in control
The biggest learning curve when getting used to working with a tiller is understanding how to control it.
The Handy petrol tiller makes this easier thanks to its two levers. The throttle control is in charge of the engine’s speed. You slide it forward or backwards to increase or decrease the speed, and you also use this to stop the engine.
The tine clutch control lever makes the machine move. Once you push it down, the tines are engaged and the unit starts to move forward. When you release it, the machine turns back to neutral.
Adjust the height
Having to till your garden is hard work, and having to do it while slouched in an awkward position will only make your body ache after a short while.
That is why this tiller includes a very simple mechanism to adjust the height of the handles in order to accommodate different operator’s heights and different tilling conditions.
The handles have a couple of adjustment knobs. All you need to do is loosen them, pivot the handles to the desired height, and tighten them back.
Regulate the depth
Controlling the depth of your tilling is possible with the depth regulator rod. Once you set the clutch lever to the neutral position you can decide what depth you want.
Lower the rod to slow down the tiller and get it to dig deeper. Or do the opposite, raise it to make the machine move faster and get a shallower till.
Removable rotors
The Handy petrol tiller features four sturdy tines for a maximum working width of 38cm and maximum working depth of 15cm, with a maximum tine speed of 120 rpm. Perfect for mixing in the compost.
The outer tines can be removed, which makes the tilling narrower. This is suitable for bed preparation and precise inter-row work.
Folding Handles
Once you are finished tilling, it is recommended to give the machine a quick clean up before storing it.
One advantage this unit has are the folding handles. This makes the unit more compact, so it takes less space in your garage or shed. It also makes it easier to fit in your car boot, although you might need some extra help lifting the tiller since it weighs almost 30 kilogrammes.
Advantages
- Easy to operate
- Reduced exhaust emissions
- Powered by petrol
- Transport wheels
- Foldable and adjustable handles
Disadvantages
- Not recommended for clay soil
Briggs & Stratton engine
2-stroke tillers use a motor that requires a mix of oil and gas to work. If you don’t get the correct ratio, the engine can sputter or be difficult to start.
This Handy petrol tiller uses a 450E Series™ 125 cc, 4-stroke engine the which eliminates that hassle and provides smooth performance.
Equipped with what Briggs & Stratton calls a “Prime ‘N Pull™ Easy” starting system, firing up the engine takes just one pull of the cord.
The Magnetron® Electronic Ignition System gets the engine started easily, while the float feed carburettor improves starting efficiency even further and optimises fuel delivery.
Environmentally friendly
All these series engines have reduced exhaust emissions and surpass the European Exhaust Emissions standards by at least 25%.
The fuel lines comply with the European low permeation requirements. It is recommended to use unleaded fuel for optimised performance and longer engine life.
Handy 3.5hp Petrol Tiller/Cultivator
An easy to operate tiller which is a perfect addition to any gardener’s arsenal of equipment
Advantages: Briggs & Stratton 3.5hp engine, has a depth skid and supporting wheels, throttle and clutch control levers
Disadvantages: Does not work well in clay soil
Approx. price range £330
Verdict
- Cost
- Build Quality
- Weight
- Features
- Maintenance