mini tillers opinions

[KennyG]

I have the Mantis with the 2 stroke engine. I think it's a Echo engine. Starts easy, runs well. It's not heavy duty and you have to go over sod several times to get much penetration, but it will do the job. I have some raised beds and I run it through them quickly once in the spring. Any more and it turns to powder, which you do not want.

 

[RalphVa]

Just top dress with some manure.

 

[TractorGuy]

I had a troybilt with the little 4 stroke engine. Burned up the drive clutch in one job. I did get it free from the dump with a rotted fuel hose so no telling what it had been through before me. It looked brand new when I got it though.

 

[ericm979]

We mostly do non till now but break out the Mantis at times. It's not heavy enough to break into dense soil and it hates big rocks but it works pretty well on loose soil with a good amount of organic matter in it. Ours has the Mantis 2 stroke engine, which is basic but seems sufficient.

 

[Sonny580]

I use my TB Tuffy on my beds -----drop down a plank and drive right up and fall in! been doin it for 13 years!

 

[herm0016]

Echo pas tiller works great.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I too have the Mantis 2 stroke. It's OK but it doesn't go very deep. Had it about ten years and last year all the fuel lines rotted off of it. Replaced them but I still have problems.
Told the guy I bought it from, and he just laughed at me and told me to buy another one. Like, having the thing gone over wasn't even worth it. I am kind of disappointed. I don't feel that I got my moneys worth out of it.

 

[Richard001]

Are you sure that you got the lines connected to the correct fuel ports ?

With all the lines removed, it can be a little confusing as to how they are supposed to go.


Richard

 

[the viking]

I ended up buying the 4 cycle Honda 25cc tiller. Currently it is in the box it arrived in yesterday. Go assemble it and take it for a test run today. I tilled the main ground level beds with the old Craftsman 5.5 hp Briggs and Stratton tiller and the raised beds will be introduced to Honda very soon!

 

[sklunk]

Well I'm late to this thread but for anybody else considering one of these I would look at the battery-powered Mantis:

Mantis Tillers - Trusted by Millions of Gardeners | Mantis

Mantis has a lightweight, compact tiller for any size yard or garden. Make short work of hard jobs with a Mantis tiller. Free Shipping Over $299.

mantis.com

It does a great job, low noise, has decent battery life, and is easy to start (just push a button!). The only problem is that they are in high demand right now so they are hard to get.