PM on the way, Maggie.

I agree that to break up sod or put in new beds, a rear-tined tiller is a much better choice. The mini-tillers (I've used a Mantis and a Honda) are fine for cultivating or turning crops and groundcovers under in ground alread broken. but don't do much in the way of breaking up sod and ground for a new bed. Ditto for the small but not mini front-tined machines.

Janie