Mantis Tiller - anyone got one?

cubegame

colt wrote: »

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

The best thing about the two stroke is that I can pretend I have a Vespa......

matt987106

cubegame wrote: »

The best thing about the two stroke is that I can pretend I have a Vespa......

fit some chrome wing mirrors and you are away

mrbadexample

Well, for all my grumbling, swearing and cursing at the damn thing, it does do a decent job:





That was about 15 minutes work. Although it did take much, much longer when I first did it.

freezspirit

Can you bag up that soil and send it to me. It looks great compared to the clay soil I have.

mrbadexample

freezspirit wrote: »

Can you bag up that soil and send it to me. It looks great compared to the clay soil I have.

I could, but I'd have to charge you extra for the stones, glass, bricks and nails.

It is improving, bit by bit, though.

cubegame

I've serviced my Mantis this evening. It now no longer works again!

Argggghhhh!!!

mrbadexample

cubegame wrote: »

I've serviced my Mantis this evening. It now no longer works again!

Argggghhhh!!!

When I was first given mine, it would start, but not run for more than a few seconds without cutting out.

I gave it to a bloke at work to sort out for me. He cleaned it all up, got it running ok. On the morning he was to return it, he started it to check all was well, but once again it wouldn't run. He went to a spares place who said "Oh no mate, we don't touch them - they're not worth the trouble. You'll have to send it back to Mantis."

So I did. It was around £60-70 for a service, fuel lines replaced etc. It's still a pig to start, but I have been able to use it. Assuming I can manage to drain the fuel and run it dry between long periods of disuse, I'm optimistic that it'll do for a few years.

Trouble is, that doubles your purchase price. Is it worth it? Can you afford not to do it, now that you've invested the initial £60?

Might be worth discussing it with them: 08009 88 48 28

Or you can hire mine. :whistle:

cubegame

I'll see how I get on at the allotment tomorrow. I suspect the carb needs a rebuild which I can have a go at myself if it's just not reliable enough.

Still go to check if the exhaust is clean though......

mrbadexample

cubegame wrote: »

I'll see how I get on at the allotment tomorrow. I suspect the carb needs a rebuild which I can have a go at myself if it's just not reliable enough.

Still go to check if the exhaust is clean though......

Good luck mate. Fingers crossed for you.

cubegame

Well it worked a treat at the allotment......mechanically. The soil is just still a bit too wet though and it just kept on clogging. Maybe a couple more weeks is needed.

Did manage to dig three lovely trenches for my potatoes with it though! Hard work to use though as the agony I am in the morning proves.

good to use muscles you don't normally.