The web address of the Gardening board has now been changed from https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/greenfingered-moneysaving to https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/gardening so that it is in line with the board's current name. Don't worry though, the old address will still redirect you here, but it's worth updating it in your saved links or browser favourites.
We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Lidl rotavator, any good?

Leif
Leif Posts: 3,727 Forumite
edited 5 April 2013 at 2:01PM in Gardening
I saw they had some in stick for £60 a pop. A Google suggests they are okay, mostly good feedback. Does anyone use one? I want to rotavate a lawn, after I've applied glyphosate, ~250 square meters area, with a stony clay rich soil. Anyone know if the Lidl is suitable, and how long it'd take to do the business?

Oops: corrected the price to £60.
Warning: This forum may contain nuts.

Comments

  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,837 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think it may struggle with a mass of grass and roots. You may need to break the soil a bit 1st.

    They dont have a lot of power in them.

    I used a petrol one and its amazing how often the roots get tangled around the blades and shaft. No problem for the petrol one. It was big and powerful enough to break them up and keep going.

    Small electric motor would bog down or even stop.

    Stony and clay also. Not sure how it will cope with that.

    Been tempted to get one myself. But had the same thoughts. Is it any good.

    Maybe only good for beds that have been dug already?
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • Leif
    Leif Posts: 3,727 Forumite
    I decided to buy one, the only way to find out is to try, and since it costs no more than hiring a 'proper' one, I won't lose much.
    Warning: This forum may contain nuts.
  • DaftyDuck
    DaftyDuck Posts: 4,609 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 5 April 2013 at 4:04PM
    I have one (not Lidl, Elho?)... I use it for breaking soil up into a fine tilth, for weeding the surface of the veg patch, mixing in compost and mulch, and for spraying soil all over the place!

    I couldn't get it through grass here, but it's pretty clayey soil. It just jams up. Getting it to bite down, rather than bouncing (it doesn't have the weight of a petrol one!) is also a problem.

    But... it does make a fine tilth. And a very fine mess. Mind the cable...

    Edit... maybe Einhell... have a cold, so not going out to look... achoo !}
  • Leif
    Leif Posts: 3,727 Forumite
    In case others are interested, I dug a 7m by 1m bed today, going down ~20cm. Stripped the turf, then rotovated. I have compacted heavy clay rich soil full of flints, and it took an hour or two. It does take a while to cut through clay, but this tool is brilliant.Flints sometimes got stuck, requiring a whack with a chisel and hammer. The cord is not a problem. Assembly is easy peasy. Why pay £60 to hire one for a day when you can buy one for the same price. :)
    Warning: This forum may contain nuts.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 241.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 618.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176K Life & Family
  • 254.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.