Shopping for a Merry Tiller
The Merry Tiller Company was originally formed in 1947. In 1991, the company was acquired by MacKissic Inc., which sells tilling machines under the Merry Tiller brand name to this day. Merry Tiller machines are well-known among small farmers, home gardeners, and commercial nurseries and greenhouses for durability, rugged construction, and effective design. Before shopping for a Merry Tiller machine, consider which of the four currently available product lines is best suited to your needs.
The Minnie
The Minnie mid-tine tiller line is Merry Tiller’s smallest tilling machine, ideally suited to small home gardening uses. There are four models in the Minnie line, each essentially equivalent except for the engine. The two least expensive models are outfitted with Briggs & Stratton engines, while the two costlier models are outfitted with Subaru and Honda engines, respectively.
Each machine can till to a depth of eight inches and a width of 18 inches. Each has a heavy duty roller-chain-and-sprocket transmission, a rugged structural steel frame, and a pull-start mechanism. All machines in the Minnie line come with at least a two year machine and engine warranty.
The Suburban
Home gardening enthusiasts should consider the Suburban mid-tine tiller line first. Offering excellent handling, weight balance, and improved power, Suburban line tillers are great for working bigger established home gardens or putting in new gardens in tough virgin soil.
The Suburban line includes four models, each primarily distinguished by its engine. Essentially, each model represents a horsepower and torque upgrade over its comparable Minnie line cousin. The Suburban line also offers tilling depths to 12 inches and tilling widths to 37 inches. Two-year machine and engine warranties are standard.
The International
The International tiller line is Merry Tiller’s heaviest duty mid-tine tiller and is commonly used by commercial gardeners. Typically, you can always find an International tiller at equipment rental shops due to its power and durability. Featuring more torque than the Suburban line, International tillers can cut through the toughest sod and break down the hardest soils.
The International line features three models, each of which are again distinguished by their respective engines, which are larger, more powerful, and heavier than the Suburban machines. Additionally, the Internationals feature patented transmission systems that provide more efficient transfer of power from engine to tines.
The Rear Tine
The Rear Tine tiller line is designed for heavy commercial use by nurseries and greenhouses. Rear Tine tillers are self-propelled, featuring three forward gears and one reverse gear. The propulsion mechanism is a big help when tilling very large areas or transporting the tiller between garden areas. This represents a big advantage over the mid-tine tiller lines, which rely on the tilling action of the machine to pull them forward.
Additionally, Rear Tine tillers are counter-balanced to place the machine’s weight directly over its wheels for smoother control and reduced tine skipping. Several safety measures are also integrated into the machines.
The three Rear Tine models are equipped with more powerful engines and can till at 10 inches of depth and 21 inches of width. Each model weighs over 450 pounds, which is significantly heavier than the mid-tine tiller lines. The standard warranties are also comparable to the mid-tine tillers.
