The black soil layers in the northeast of China undergo serious erosion. In order to seek an effective way to control soil and water loss in the area, the practical experiences in conservation tillage in the United States were introduced for analysis including the general situation of development, effects and challenges encountered. Popular modes there such as no tillage, strip tillage, zone tillage, vertical tillage, mulch tillage, and ridge tillage as well as the related implements were outlined. That is helpful for understanding conservation tillage itself, handling residue management, deep chiseling and pest or weed control. That may also serve as references while making reform and innovation of tillage modes and selecting tillage soil protection measures in the northeast of China.