Mantis tiller vs Stihl yard boss

[Bird]

Too bad you can't try one out before buying.

I would never have bought the Mantis if they hadn't advertised a full money back satisfaction guaranteed deal. And I also called on the phone at the time and ordered a reconditioned (or did they call it "reburbished") one at a discount. It all sure looked new to me. With their money back deal, I figured they'd have a number of reconditioned ones on hand, but nope, I had to wait a couple of weeks for them to get one, so I guess most of the folks who buy them, keep them.

I also purchased these little plastic anti-wrap "donuts" (for the two drive axles/shafts) and they work good also.

That's something I hadn't even heard of, so I just now went to their website and guess you're talking about the "weed reducers" and I ordered a pair.

 

[CATMAN]

Hi Bird; That is correct, "weed reducers". I couldn't remember the name, so that was my best description. I think you'll like them. I only learned about the kickstand and these weed reducers from the little catalog that came in the box with the new tiller some years ago.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I don't mean this obnoxiously, but I don't understand the role of the mantis? Seems like either a real rototiller like a gravely or tractor is called for, or a hoe would be easier. I actually use a hoe a lot - the design is time tested.

It seems like the amount of effort required to get the mantis to rototill would be worse than hoeing?

 

[irvingj]

I also have a Mantis, have had it for 20 yrs or so. It has a 2-stroke Echo engine. Always starts, really light, only use it in the spring and the fall in our little garden.

For a small plot it's ideal for tilling-- and it can be held stationary for some real chewing/digging action if necessary. Never had any problems starting it- amazing!

I figure that's its main claim to fame; for a small garden it's just really convenient- grab it from its hanging spot, add a little fuel, crank it up, 20-30 minutes tilling, remove, rinse off & oil-coat tines, back into storage.

I agree about the switch, however-- I've hit it a number of times as well!

 

[Bird]

I don't mean this obnoxiously, but I don't understand the role of the mantis? Seems like either a real rototiller like a gravely or tractor is called for, or a hoe would be easier. I actually use a hoe a lot - the design is time tested.

It seems like the amount of effort required to get the mantis to rototill would be worse than hoeing?

Well, you're sure right about the hoe being time tested . . . and I hated using one 60 years ago almost as much as I do today. I'd have never bought the Mantis if I still lived out in the country, had a tractor, a big vegetable garden, etc. But for a dethatcher (power rake) and aerator on a small lawn, it's quite handy, because you see I dislke manual dethatchers and rakes almost as much as the hoe.

 

[vsteel]

It seems like the amount of effort required to get the mantis to rototill would be worse than hoeing?

Think of the Mantis as a power hoe. I think its about the same effort for the hoe as the Mantis, maybe a little less for the Mantis. I don't have to bend over so much. It is a lot faster and if you have a large garden its a big help. You still will need to hoe between the plants, but it takes care of 90% of the weeds very quickly.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm glad to see this thread because I'm seriously considering buying a Mantis. I didn't even know there was a Stihl alternative.

I think a mini tiller like the Mantis is the perfect compliment to my tractor mounted tiller. If I have large areas to till, I use the 4' tiller on the tractor. Mid season I could use the Mantis between rows to cut down on weeding time. I used to plant the rows far enough apart to get my walk-behind tiller between them, but the walk-behind is now scrap metal, and it would be nice to have the rows closer together.

People must love the Mantis tillers, though, because I been looking for a used one for a few years now, and I've only seen one. That one was sold before I could even make the phone call.

 

[Bird]

I been looking for a used one

I don't know what kind of prices used ones sell for, if you can find one, but I just looked at the paperwork on mine. It's 2 years old (was shipped on 6/29/07) and they called it a "slighly used refurbished" 2 stroke and by ordering factory direct, it was $90 less than a new one, but came with the same one year money back guarantee as a new one. And of course, I wouldn't have been able to tell it from a new one.

 

[coobie]

We have a Mantis tiller,honda 4 stroke,it starts second pull every time.coobie

 

[Bird]

I see that they now have a corded electric model for the same price as the 2 stroke, $349, and the 4 stroke is a hundred dollars more.