Tillers

[Whitespin]

Hi everyone

I have a fair sized patch down the side of the house that was ear marked for veg before we moved in 4 years ago. The soil was heavy clay with lots of large stones. Over the 4 years I've got rid of most of the large stones and added 2 tons of spent mushroom compost each year as well as our own and the soil has improved greatly.

Since I'm not getting younger I'm turning to mechanical horses to help with the heavy work. I have Ryobi split shaft machine that originally came as just a strimmer. Since then I've added, hedge trimmer and a rotavator attachment. The rotavator is disappointing and almost certainly caused the engine to fail last year. Luckily it was under guarantee and I got it repaired at no cost, other than a long wait for spares.

So I'm looking for a better, more robust, system of powered tools and having got a leaflet through the post from Mantis Tillers I'm tempted to by one of these. This would be quite an investment for me so I would appreciate comment and advice from anyone who either uses Mantis or any other make of tools with a power source and a variety of attachments.

Regards

John

[Two_Sheds]

I haven't, but is this any good? Mantis tiller cultivator, are they any good? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers

[Kristen]

I have a Mantis (4-stroke version) and I am a fan

Probably no good for digging virgin ground, but for my vegetable beds its a breeze.

I bought mine on eBay - the UK Mantis people have a factory outlet there (eBay My World - mantisoutletuk) selling machines that had been returned - same warranty as brand new ones.

You could look at No Dig methods too - beds that you never walk on and spread compost on for the worms to pull in (you still get some "digging" when you harvest Spuds and Parsnips etc., but you don't dig in the conventional sense)

P.S. I didn't find the lawn-edging thing any use (it came as a freebie) - if someone disagrees please tell me how to use it properly

[Aberdeenplotter]

My mantis is a two stroke and these can be tempermental to start although mine isn't(fingers crossed for this year). Mantis also does a four stroke version and an electric version.

For small areas the mantis is super and gives an excellent tilth, in my plot down to about 8 inches. It is very hard work though as the mantis works best by pulling back against the rotation into the soil. Not so great on hard or compacted soil but I overcome that by forcing a fork into the ground every few inches in front of the machine and simply leaning back to break the soil up a little and that makes all the difference.

The machine can be carried in one hand and for something so lightweight it deserves very high marks for performance. Biggest pain is that stones can become jammed between the rotors and the gearbox.

[Whitespin]

Thanks to everyone for your replies it seems that there are good and bad points all round. I was looking to buy the 4 stroke version which is quieter than a 2 stroke and has more power. The Ryobi I have is 2 stroke, it is very noisy and can be difficult to start when hot, it usually needs 10 minutes to cool before it will restart. Starting from cold is easy. I was using it with the rotovator attachment last year when the recoil starter virtually exploded. I think the strain of pulling on the shaft, as it would appear you do with the Mantis, but via two handles, probably caused it, made me jump I can tell you lol. I had to take it to the nearest repairer some 15 miles away and it took 6 weeks to get spares.

As far as the Mantis is concerned I'm not bothered about the edger but it comes with the basic machine, (Just like the Ryobi comes as a strimmer even if you have all the attachments and only need an engine unit). I would want the rotovator/plough plus the de-thatcher/aerator package. The 12 month trial sounds good providing they are still in business then. MFI wanted 50% deposit off me before they would take my order, I wouldn't give them any money before the goods came and we all know what happened to them.

I've looked on eBay and have found a number of tillersfor sale but no sign of a Mantis shop.

Cheers

John

[Kristen]

I bought from
eBay My World - mantisoutletuk
nothing for sale at the moment, but there is recent feedback, so probably still "alive"

[cptncrackoff]

Hi, just a thought... if you're going to be spending £350 you may be better off looking around for a good price on a small honda tiller something like the FG110, a little bit heavier, but by no means heavy.

Much better build quality and parts are much more readily available.
RRP £410 I think, but you can shop around and find it for around £300.
Also has a seven year warranty.( with an annual service)

Nothing against the Mantis, dont really have much experience with them. Parts are available to order, but in my experience not many places hold stock.

Watch out for cheap 'chinese' copies of both the mantis and the honda's and any garden machinery, it may seem like a saving but after 2-3 years when bits start breaking, you cant get parts.

[Kristen]

ou may be better off looking around for a good price on a small honda tiller ...
Much better build quality and parts are much more readily available.
...
Also has a seven year warranty.( with an annual service)

Are you speaking from experience or speculating?

My Mantis has a Honda engine ... admittedly only a FIVE year warranty (on the whole machine)

A key feature of the Mantis is the patented Serpentine Tines - I can't speak for how they compare side-by-side against other designs, but I have used conventional tillers and I like the Serpentine Tines. They are "guaranteed for life against breakage"

And this is the Mantis guarantee: "Try any product that you buy directly from Mantis with NO RISK! If you're not completely satisfied, send it back to us within 1 year for a complete, no-hassle refund. All you have to pay is the return postage."

That strikes me as a company confident in its product.

[Lazgaot]

As you've improved the clay soil you should seriously consider not digging at all. Have a look at the sticky on one of these forums to see it in action. I have a 250m2 allotment that I don't dig. It frees up a huge amount of time and effort and the productivity is fantastic. At the moment I'm spending about 3hrs a week on my plot. My neighbour is up there at least 3hrs a day, almost everyday.

If you are interested in it have a read of Charles Dowding's books and his website. I was converted after reading them and visiting his farm, a commercial no-dig farm.

[cptncrackoff]

Are you speaking from experience or speculating?

A little bit of both, I do work in the garden machinery trade

I'm not anti mantis!!

I have looked many times at the mantis ( leaflets supplied with seed orders from D.T Brown) and through our workshop at work.

I never noticed the new 4T models have a honda engine, any machine with a honda engine can be relied upon!

We tend to only see older models at work.

My personal choice for a small tiller would be the honda.

[Kristen]

A little bit of both, I do work in the garden machinery trade

My apologies, no offence intended.

I did look at the FG110 (or whatever model was current then) before buying the Mantis. The Honda brand was attractive, but I just couldn't see what the extra money would buy me.

I followed some links from this thread to comparisons and a lot of them are bunk, sadly. "The two stroke Mantis is no comparison for a 4-stroke XXX brand" ... ignoring the fact that Mantis do sell a 4 stroke! and "The Mantis will not dig virgin ground" (I doubt the baby Honda would either, its hardly what one would expect a small Tiller to do - I don't think bigger Merry Tillers do either - its like wrestling with a Gorilla unless you use a self-powered to break virgin ground)

But, in my case, I only need a machine to turn over existing beds, and to weed between the shrubs, which the Mantis does well. I used to hire a (bigger) Tiller once a year at the beginning of the season, and the weather was usually foul!, whereas having my own machine means I can get on the soil at the optimum moment (that's not specific to a Mantis of course )

[Whitespin]

Thanks to everyone for their comments especially those who actually use a Mantis. That's not to say other members input has not been taken on board. Just as important as performance is reliability and availability of spares hence my gripe about the Ryobi.

I have looked at the online video of both the Honda and Mantis at work and neither are greatly different from my Ryobi in so much you have to walk backwards with all of them and they tend to bounce about! At least the Honda and Mantis have two handles to control them rather than the single one on mine.

I emailed Mantis on two occasions to clarify various details and on both occasions they replied promptly and gave clear answers which is a good point.

[cptncrackoff]

No offence taken Kristen!!

Just my own opinion. It is mostly the older 2 stroke mantis machines we see trouble with.

Like i said I would have absolute confidence in any machine with a Honda engine. Honda engines do not let people down.

....Dont get me started on Ryobi...

[arpoet]

My mate bought one of them Ryobi things and it burnt out after a few hours on our clay soil down the lottie, after much argument he got his money back.
My dad then gave me 350 quid to get a decent one and i opted for an ALKO with ridge plough attachment with is great for making furrows to plant tatties.
i have added lots of organic matter (hos muck, hops, shreaded paper, h.m. compost etc) and just rotovate in the spring.
From being devoid of worms my plot is now teeming with them.

I know many are against rotovating, but for me it works well as i just cant dig for more than a couple of minute at a time.

Roger

[VirginVegGrower]

As you've improved the clay soil you should seriously consider not digging at all. Have a look at the sticky on one of these forums to see it in action. I have a 250m2 allotment that I don't dig. It frees up a huge amount of time and effort and the productivity is fantastic. At the moment I'm spending about 3hrs a week on my plot. My neighbour is up there at least 3hrs a day, almost everyday.

If you are interested in it have a read of Charles Dowding's books and his website. I was converted after reading them and visiting his farm, a commercial no-dig farm.

Very interesting thanks so much