These horizontal tillers (pictured to the right) with forward and reverse are probably the most common. There are many generations built over the run. They came with various engine sizes ranging from 4 to 8 horsepower. Reverse was derived from a belt running in a figure 8 pattern. The worm drive is the legendary "Gilson Iron Heart". Robust gearing in a cast iron housing with hefty bearings all bathed in oil let these drives run long and strong.

These machines have the added feature of an actual 4 speed mechanism. Moving sheave halves form a manually controlled torque converter. Reverse is derived from an interposed friction wheel.

These simple machines were popular. They feature the same "Iron heart" worm drive and are driven directly by a cup and cone lined clutch. With the engine right on top of the tines and no efficiency loss from drive belts these little machines continue to be valued workhorses.

Built for cultivating and small gardening needs these units feature spring steel tines meant to deflect around stones they cannot move. The folding handle and drive pulley are patented Gilson innovations.

TroyBilt may have popularized rear tine tilling but Gilson stepped up with their own version. (sorry, no MW pic.) The swinging handle let the operator walk alongside the freshly tilled bed or swing the handle a full 180 degrees for easy transport with the tines leading. There was also an 8 HP version with 5 forward speeds.

The rear tine tillers were also built with a heavy duty simplified handle system.