Mantis Tiller - anyone got one?

cubegame

I picked up a second hand 2-stroke Mantis tiller in pretty tip top condition for £60 this evening.

Well chuffed with it. But was wondering what it should be capable of?

Our allotment is pretty compacted clay and quite sodden (dug three trenches for potatoes last weekend which are now full of water despite no rain).

Is it worth having a go with the Mantis or does it really need a nice dry soil to get it working properly?

Cheers.

gamston

thanks a right deal
been looking for one for a bit for myself

ragz_2

I asked my husband for you (he's a Gardener and owns one of those) he said it should be capable as long as it's not TOO wet (ie puddles) as they are powerful little machines. However if your patch is too wet you should sort out the drainage problem first, especially if you want to grow veg as it will just rot.

cubegame

ragz wrote: »

I asked my husband for you (he's a Gardener and owns one of those) he said it should be capable as long as it's not TOO wet (ie puddles) as they are powerful little machines. However if your patch is too wet you should sort out the drainage problem first, especially if you want to grow veg as it will just rot.

No puddles at the moment (near the surface anyway) and the drainage is more of a winter thing as when we dug over last year it was lovely and crumbly.

Just hoping the Mantis will save all the effort.

leo~saphira

I got the 4 stroke one (priced around £300 mark) so you done well with the £60 on a 2 stroke

Anyhow - brilliant little machine - makes a doddle of my raised beds to very fine crumby soil

Now just arrived in the post is the plough for it :cool:

Enjoy.

matt987106

If its been dug over in the past, it'll be fine

we took over a new allotment and it used to be part of a country park, the earth hadnt been touched since the world was created, it couldnt do it

cubegame

matt987106 wrote: »

If its been dug over in the past, it'll be fine

we took over a new allotment and it used to be part of a country park, the earth hadnt been touched since the world was created, it couldnt do it

Cheers, although my plan to let it loose today have been foiled as it won't run properly.

I think the old man who sold it to me had let it sit for long time with fuel in so it needs some TLC and new parts.

Hate it so much when you can't play with new toy.....it's like not have batteries on Christmas day!

mrbadexample

cubegame wrote: »

Cheers, although my plan to let it loose today have been foiled as it won't run properly.

I've got a 2-stroke that my dad gave me. Sent it to Mantis last year for a complete service (about £60), as it was a sod to start and wouldn't run properly either.

Since it's been serviced, I've used it about 5 times. Before the winter I tried to start it up and drain the fuel, but once again I couldn't get the damn thing to start (about 3 months after the service). Not pleased. :mad:

cubegame

Well I've ordered new bits and a kick stand for mine from Mantis.

But after finding a guide on the web I have now got it running well. Too late in the day to get down the lotty though.

mrbadexample

On a happy note I have managed to get mine running today.

colt

If its been dug over in the past, it'll be fine

we took over a new allotment and it used to be part of a country park, the earth hadnt been touched since the world was created, it couldnt do it

I have the 4 stroke one and it eats up any type of ground very easy. I had a section that had not been used for over 10 years, I set the mantis on it and now have very fine soil.

There is another plot holder who's got a 2 stroke one and he as trouble starting his everytime he gets it out. He is now looking to upgrade to the 4 stroke.

I would not be without mine now its a great tool to own