mantis

[anthonyjb]

hi guys

I am thinking of getting a 4stroke mantis tiller, can anybody say if they are a good buy or not. (my veg patch is 12'x 18')

many thanks

Anthonyjb

[Newton]

I bought one second hand earlier in the year. Great bit of kit for rotorvating. Brilliant in fact.........however I am realising that rotorvating is sinful and mulching gets you to heaven.

Spend a tenner on a no dig book then decide.

Good luck whichever way you go.........

[The Large One]

Just bought one of eBay and put it together last weekend
Great bit of kit and sooooooo much quieter than the 2 stroke version and with 4 stroke none of ha mixing fuel messing about and should run all day

[donnakebab]

Is that 12 feet by 18 feet? I suppose it depends on how able you are to dig it over yourself, or if you are planning to do another area later on. I don't know your circumstances. Personally as a reasonably fit person I would dig it over myself and spend the money on something that I would use more often.

[anthonyjb]

Is that 12 feet by 18 feet? I suppose it depends on how able you are to dig it over yourself, or if you are planning to do another area later on. I don't know your circumstances. Personally as a reasonably fit person I would dig it over myself and spend the money on something that I would use more often.

Hi
Iam 78 years old and waiting to have a knee replacement. (well both knees)

12 feet by 18 feet

[Newton]

Go on.....get one then.......but try not to rotorvate any perennial weeds! Have fun!

[Pies]

Best rotovator for its size there is,you get a really good tilth and as the blades dont curve over you dont get the "rotovator pan" its utterly reliable if maintained properly,as everything.Its not to big to pull you all over the plot and its light enough to carry about with ease.
They also hold there value pretty well compared to other makes
AIMHO

[anthonyjb]

push or pull

I have just watched a DVD and the guy was walking backward (pulling the mantis)to use it ,is that the normal way
thanks

Anthony

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yups, that's how it works. It is still pretty hard work but it leaves a lovely tilth. My mantis is a 2 stroke machine but starts and runs well and I wouldn't swap it.

[sewer rat]

I have used one of these tillers before and I liked it so much that I recommended it to one of my clients - Scotsburn Garden (see my blog of this garden reclamation at Scotsburn - the reclamation of a walled garden ) and she is purchasing one for my use there. It will be ideal for this garden in later life as well as at the moment as it can work in tight small areas which makes it ideal for the herbaceous and fruit borders as well as the veg patch.

[Currysniffa]

I've got a 4 stroke Honda its great peace of kit and you walk forwards with the Honda which I think makes it much safer! There are a few mantis' on the allotments and the owners are happy with them, I was thinking of getting one till I dropped on the Honda..

[anthonyjb]

Thank you all for your input

Anthony

[anthonyjb]

Do all tillers work best being pulled backwards, only it seems hard work to pull against the power of the machine

[Currysniffa]

I like tillers you walk forwards with that's why I jumped at my honda, seen one on ebay today honda fg200 rotovator cultivator 4 stroke | eBay I found this Which tiller is best? - Allotment and Vegetable Gardening about the mantis on another forum I vist...

[anthonyjb]

I am about to buy a honda 201 I hope I have made the right choice


Anthony