Rent one?

What can you afford to pay ? Your lot sizing is not large a good used unit would be less costly . What mechanical ability do you have and what experience with tillers ? A diesel engine will give many more yrs of service , as would a Honda but the Price will increase significantly . A Cub Cadet is a fine Brand . Troy-bilt Middle of the Road and Craftsman less than so , but ok for small lot size and normal domestic usage with good maintenance . If you have experience and working knowledge a Box Store is ok otherwise seek out a dealer and see what you really need for your dollar :)

If it were me, I'd buy a used compact utility tractor (like the one I supplied a link to below) off e-by and a used 3-pt Japanese tiller. That's what I did and wouldn't go back to the walk-behind tiller. You can set up for $2K to $3K and there are a variety of (used) attachments you can get to do all kinds of work while you're sitting in the driver's seat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Used Japanese Compact Tractor

Ya know?
A guy reaches a point in life where doing it all yourself is it's own reward.
Today I carried collards to folks that could not grow their own.

I can't say how rewarding that was to me. That as well as putting up food for my family is worth more than buying the STUFF passing for vegetables in the local groceries.
I will afford what ever is required to continue functional gardening. I am after all going to buy some acreage to do no more than gardening. Now I know they ain't makin any more land and that is a universal commodity, but this equipment is semi disposable. I thank you for the comments and I think I can use the advice. What do you think about gear or chain drive?
Also I would like to answer the question about mechanical expertise. (some) Not afraid to tear into something if I can find parts and maybe a tutorial. Grew up on a little 10 acre farm (many years ago)and we did gardening on a large scale. This was my first year back at it on a buddy's property and grew two successful gardens on a little 30X30 spot mostly by hand.
The Cub Cadet is an option another is a walk behind diesel.
Gotta admit sitting sounds attractive as well.
To those whom have replied "I thank you"
Any other links or comments would be greatly appreciate.

Sevenal,

I am also from NC. I've been watching Craig's list in several areas, and I've seen JD's, Cub Cadets, Simplicities, Gilsons, etc advertised with and without mowing decks, but they also have the rear tillers on them.

Not too bad of pricing either. You might consider something like that to get you going. Any of the above are good, stout garden tractors known for longevity, ease of use, and parts availability. (Not too sure about the Gilson's as I do not have experience with them).

That's something to consider.

I think that you are missing the point here.

WALK BEHIND vs GT, sub-CUT or CUT

That's one issue and it's a decision only you can make because we don't know what you are growing or how you are growing it. If you need a tiller to prepare 10,000 square feet of garden after the frost is gone and then to till in soil amendments in fall as you put the garden to bed for the winter, then you are probably better served by a tractor with a 3 pt hitch and tiller attachment.

If you are growing different crops in close proximity to one another and you intend to cultivate/weed control with a mechanical device, then a walk behind might be the hot ticket. You might want to look at a tiller brand called BCS. They are expensive compared to the box store stuff but since you are not the average homeowner that puts 4 hours on a tiller each year, the BCS price point will work out cheaper in the long run.

There are also some Italian made machines that provide a lot of versatility when it comes to available attachments that will help cut down the number of hours spent on weed control. Tractors are nice but you cannot turn a tractor around in the same amount of space that you can spin a walk behind and that sir, is exactly what you should be thinking about first.

Chain drive vs gear drive -- Irrelevant, if you ask me. Both are strong. Both are proven designs. Both will break under the right conditions and both will wear out. If you buy a high quality machine, then you have to trust the manufacturer's decision on his drive system

Gas vs diesel - There are high quality gas engines such as Kawasski, Honda GX, Vanguard, Kohler Command Pro and Generac that normally provide three to four thousand hours of service or more before needing to be rebuilt but that's based on proper and timely maintenance taking place. Diesels cost more, use less fuel per hour and last up to three times longer. Take your pick.

New or used - Low hours is the key if you are buying used. Let someone else take the big hit on depreciation is often a good move but only when the unit has not seen much use and it has been looked after during that time.

Larsol : Good Post , some good units shown .

Komp: Very Solid Information Bro !

I would take a look at a website called: www.machineunderground.com for more info on sub-cuts and larger as well as larger tilling requirements....

just a thought

Here is a link that might be useful: machineunderground.

The 2 people that I know who are truck farming use the BCS. I've test driven them & they are impressive. Troy-Bilt is trying to get by on the reputation of their earlier equipment. The local Ace hdwe here rents BCS tillers. if you could rent different tillers you could test drive some before buying.
I'm using a 35 year old Gravely 12 h.p. 2 wheel walk behind tractor & a front tine honda powered ( 5.5 h.p.)tiller for cultivation.
The tiller was a reconditioned model that was returned within a week with a broken starter rope. since it was less than 30 days they replaced it. I got it cheap & it was like new. The advantage of the Gravely is the versatility. I have the tiller, rotary plow, 30" brush hog, 30" mower deck, 40" mower deck, & a riding sulky. Depending on what part of the country you are in there are quite a few of these still around & parts are readily available.
i have a 1/2 acre to mow & a 50'X 125' vegetable patch. if i had anything bigger i'd have a small 3 point hitch tractor