(Introduction:)

In Costa Rica, horticultural producers till the soil every six months, using conventional systems that pulverize the arable layer and cause degradation. (Objectives:) The effect of different types of tillage was evaluated in order to recommend variations in the management of soil mechanization. (Methodology:) Tillage treatments were established for which zero (T1), conventional (T2) and reduced (T3) in a loamy-sandy soil (Fa). The organic matter content (MO), apparent density (Da), hydraulic conductivity (k), penetration resistance (RP) and moisture retention (RH) were determined before each treatment (T0) and after six months. Also, operation variables of the used tractor were measured. (Results:) The need to ballast the tractor to rotate the ground and have better efficiency was determined due to the skid of the front axle at T2 (-34.81%). T2 showed increases in MO (p <0.05), due to the short-term effect of the surface cut of the vegetation cover and Da increased (p <0.05) at 30-45 cm in T1, because there was no chisel plow pass. No treatment changed the condition of moderate k to 30 cm deep. T3, improved RP (p <0.05) up to that same depth due to the chisel plow pass. HR did not change (p <0.05). (Conclusions:) Due to the inefficiency of operation and because there is no physical improvement of the soil in the short term, it is not necessary to till every six months, which would reduce the erosion rates of the area.