| Getting a good used garden tiller is actually more | | | | The other consideration is your own mechanical skills. |
| complicated than deciding which new tiller (or tillers as | | | | If you're a fix-it do-it-yourself type with the |
| the case may be,) would be the best buy. The only | | | | appropriate array of tools to work on a garden tiller, |
| motivation that generally drives the search for a used | | | | then buying a couple really cheap used garden tillers |
| garden tiller is price, especially if you're looking for a | | | | might be an option, so long as they're made by the |
| full size garden tiller. But, you have to consider more | | | | same manufacturer and are compatible models. My |
| than just the initial price. Over time you could end up | | | | neighbor is a garage sale junky. He's rebuilt more than |
| spending more for a used garden tiller than a new | | | | one tiller by combining the best parts of several that |
| one. | | | | he got really cheap. The end products were good |
| The first and usually most difficult determination to | | | | reliable garden tillers. |
| make is how well maintained the current owner has | | | | There is one type of used garden tiller that is rarely |
| kept his garden tiller. Looks can be deceiving. | | | | a good buy used and that's a compact or mini-tiller, |
| Maintenance and care make all the difference | | | | especially if it's electric. They're inexpensive enough |
| between a good deal or not on any used machine. | | | | to make it almost never worth buying used. There |
| Was it used only within the parameters that it was | | | | are exceptions, of course. I had an elderly |
| manufactured for or did the owner get "creative" | | | | acquaintance whose husband died unexpectedly in his |
| with its use? Was it properly over-wintered or left | | | | sleep. He was one of those people who was very |
| out in the elements? | | | | particular about his tools. He always purchased the |
| Certain things will stand out in this regard. If it | | | | best ones and kept them in excellent condition. When |
| generally looks beat up, you may not have to look | | | | his widow got ready to sell the house and move in |
| much further to determine what kind of shape it's in. | | | | with her daughter, his tools went like hotcakes at the |
| However, there are a couple of things to consider. | | | | garage sale, and I can guarantee that every one of |
| While it may look well used, if the garage sale price is | | | | them was a good buy. So, these situations do come |
| making it almost irresistible to pass up, examine the | | | | up, but they're few and far between. |
| actual working parts to see what kind of shape | | | | In general, getting a good used garden tiller is a |
| they're in. Are the tines straight? Can they be | | | | challenge, mostly because serious gardeners buy their |
| sharpened? Are the bushings rotten or have they | | | | tillers for the long haul. They maintain them and use |
| been regularly greased? For a gas powered tiller, | | | | them for years and years until the tiller starts getting |
| check the spark plug; see if the engine starts right | | | | too expensive to repair and maintain. By that time, |
| up. Check the handle fittings to make sure they're | | | | it's only good for the recycler. Even then, often the |
| sound. A handle replacement can be expensive and | | | | owners are reluctant to get rid of them. So, it boils |
| may be more than you want to spend. If that all | | | | down to this: unless you're fortunate enough to have |
| checks out and it's manufactured by a reputable | | | | found an exceptionally good deal, or skilled enough to |
| company, then despite some exterior body rust and | | | | make any deal work for you, it's usually more |
| rock dents, it may indeed be a good buy. | | | | prudent to invest in a good new one. |