Which tiller rotivator?

[Bramble Lover]

Ive had an allotment for just over two years and all is going well but finding it a real strain on the back.

I have some spare money and thought I would invest in a tiller/ small rotivator.

The thing is which one?

Was looking at two stroke but you have to mix two oils.

Four stroke is basically petrol but about hundred quid dearer.

Anybody got one? or can give me some advice?

Would be much appreciated x

[snuffer]

Hello there Bramble Lover. I have Mantis 4 stroke tiller and wouldn't be without it. For such a small machine it is surprisingly powerful. It's easy to plonk it into the boot and take it down to the lottie (wieghs next to nothing). I would definitely recommend one.

[PAULW]

First and main thing to consider is what type of soil have you got, if you are on clay you need some thing with a bit of guts about it if you are on a sandy soil you dont need an all singing all dancing earth mover type machine, four stroke "neat petrol " is much simpler and less noisy than a two stroke.

[jacob marley]

Howdy Bramle Lover some of my thoughts on tillers i see you are in Lincolnshire are you on heavy land a lot of it over there is you will need a tiller with a 5hp engine at least and the the next tip is get one with the transport wheels a the back the reason for this if you get one with a single wheel at the front they are heavy to move about and the wheel at the fron act's as a depth gauge and stop's you digging very deep .
And an another reason it is a messy job changing the oil in the engine the wheel get's in the way.
Another tip is get one with a reverse gear on as when you get stuck in a tight corner and you look a right pratt some body is allway's watching reverse gear get's you out of the spot .
I have been using Merry Tiller's for about 40 odd years and find them good enough to dig down to 12 inche's at the momment i am reurecting a 30 odd year old Norlett and about to put a 5hp Brigs & Stratten engine on it as the 3hp runs out of puff when digging below 6 inches any way i hope my rambling's help you jacob marley

[Bramble Lover]

Thanks for all your info and help. Yes my ground is very much of the clay variety which is great for growing stuff but not so great for getting into a decent state to plant things in.

Its got to be an investment for me I think..........seems a lot of money but should last me for my allotment career.

[PAULW]

BL
It is very nice to have your own machine but on the other hand they spend a hell of a time sat in the shed not being used, have you thought about hiring a machine or is there someone on your lottie that would let you use/rotavate your plot for a drink.

[kirsty b]

I have Ryobi tillers. One is part of the Expand -it range and has changeable parts, I have strimmer and tiller. Its a 30cc and two-stroke, but its easy for a girlie to handle. I honestly think I would find something bigger a bit more difficult. I also have another tiller that is a two handled affair, but two stroke once again.
They don't go especially deep, but are great for breaking the earth and making a finer tilth if you have already done some rough digging first.

Not sure if my tuppence worth has been of any use, but here it is anyways!

[Bramble Lover]

Well I went for it.

Got a 4 stroke mantis petrol tiller. Arrived yesterday.

Hubby has built it. Am very excited.

Yes i could have hired one but I reckon it will get used a good couple of times a year and as my allotment is hopefully going to be a lifelong hobby, it should in theory pay for itself.

I also have a cunning plan he he

You know what boys and their toys are like?

Well hubby is only just (after two years and a lot of hard work on my behalf) getting interested in the plot.

Im hoping he will want to get his hands on the machine and he will get done in a few hours what it would take me weeks to do by hand.

Wish me luck.

[snuffer]

Good choice. You really will be surprised at just how good it is. I have seen people working with much bigger and heavier machines and the tines are just bouncing off the surface. The Mantis is a truly tenacious little machine and will dig its way through very compacted soil.

[T-lady]

I like your cunning plan Bramble Lover. My OH does nothing in the garden but as soon as it comes to using a rotovator he's totally up for it.

In fact, there's times when I just want to dig things over (I worry about all the worms getting chopped up if I rotovate too much) but he's just dying to get his hands on the Stihl. Mind you, it does take a fraction of the time it takes me to do it manually!

[Bramble Lover]

Well it worked lol As soon as he got hold of the petrol we were off to try it out for an hour before it got dark.

Fantastic!!! It is going to save me sooooooo much work and backache.!!!

Only got my hands on it once but he managed to do in an hour what it would have taken me weeks and weeks to do by hand.

On the Sunday we took it again and he even threw all my compost over the ground and rotivated it in.

I also worry about the poor worms getting chopped up but he insists they survive?

Whole plot is now done and yes it seems a waste that it will be sat there till the spring doing nothing but for me it was worth every penny!!

[digthatchick]

Glad you like your Mantis - I bought one as new, second hand in the summer. A fantastic little machine with so many other uses (with the optional extras) money well spent me thinks

[snuffer]

Hello again BrambleLover. Pleased to read that your Mantis is up and running and earning its keep. One thing I would suggest if you intend leaving fuel in the tank for any length of time. Obtain a bottle of 'Fuel Fit', it is a petrol addative made or marketed by Briggs and Stratton. It works as a petrol preservative and will stop a build up of glaze forming in the fuel jets of the carburetor. (should be able to get it from a garden machinery shop).

One thing you can be sure of. Even if you put your Mantis away in the shed until spring, when you do come to use it again, it will start first time and be ready to roll.

In all honesty, I do not and never have worked for Mantis but I would reccommend this little tiller to anyone. HAVE FUN.