mini tillers opinions

[the viking]

I am looking to buy a mini tiller for raised beds. I read old threads but would like to hear more recent reviews on these things. I'm getting old and lifting the old 100# tiller into the raised beds is getting to be more of a challenge each season. Any response welcomed and appreciated. This will be my 49th consecutive year of planting a garden and hope to do many more!

 

[ruffdog]

My dad has one but I don't know the brand. He does use it lots. It's easier than his big tiller and it does much more than hoeing.

 

[groundcover]

Got one to go on my Echo Pro Attachment, have been very impressed with everything that I put on it !

Pro Attachment Series | ECHO

ECHO's Pro Attachment Series is designed to grow with your needs. Save money over with one powerhead that works with up to 16 attachments.

www.echo-usa.com

 

[cjoffutt]

We use one the the knock off Mantis style mini tillers in our raised beds. We purchased ours from Menards 5+ years ago when they were clearancing out the garden stuff during winter months. Works well enough. Every other year we get the big tiller out to really till the soil mix. But as you said, it's big, heavy, bulky.

The Mantis 2-Cycle 7920 Tiller/Cultivator | Mantis.com

The Mantis 2-cycle 7920 Tiller/Cultivator is a compact, lightweight tiller that delivers big tiller power, breaking through sod and clay fast and easy.

mantis.com

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I have one of these that I use on my string trimmer. I have used and abused it for about 10 years and can't kill it!

Expand-It 10 in. Universal Cultivator String Trimmer Attachment

I use it on this trimmer.... powerful and well balanced.

Cub Cadet BC 490 String Trimmer / Brush Cutter | Cub Cadet US

25cc straight shaft string trimmer for greater reach. Durable full crank 4-cycle engine. TrimmerPlus® attachment capable. Brush cutter attachment included.

www.cubcadet.com

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've had a few of those things, I still have the Mantis and the Honda, I sent the rest packing!!

I think Mantis has a better designed tines, stones don't get stuck in them so much...

SR

 

[RalphVa]

I've never ever tilled my raised beds. Just weed and mulch.

 

[Scar0B2150]

I loved our Craftsman 4 stroke mini. No fuel mixing, less smoke and fairly quiet.
We mainly used it between rows till I over filled it with motor oil and popped the rings. I forgot it had to be laid handle on the ground when filling it...

 

[Gem99ultra]

In a nice soft mulched bed, the Mantis w/Honda engine would be just perfect. However - anything larger than a pea is going to teach you how to carry your tiller around every minute.
I might add, yeah i bought one. After two attempts to use it without wearing myself out trying to keep in on the ground that it was supposed to be chopping up, it seized up completely.
I sat it out beside the road. Thankfully it's someone else' trash now.

 

[the viking]

I've never ever tilled my raised beds. Just weed and mulch.

I am liking your response a whole lot. Your approach leaves more quality time for an adult beverage and watching whatever grows grow! I had red clay when I started to amend y soil43 years ago and still add manure and compost every year and it works. I need to work those amendments a few inches into the ground for best results. I usually use a tilling fork or double di with a shovel but the body says "no mas "so a tiller I will buy! I like the versatility of the multi function tools but I already own the best of everything so I want a dedicated tiller. Thanks for the opinions so far. Stimulus check is going to makes this possible!

 

[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.