Mantis Rototiller

[rancar]

Thanks Scott and everyone for your thoughts. I'm printing this thread, will give it to my wife to read, and it'll be her decision to make. We will at least likely go to a dealer and take a look at this little puppy. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[rmorgan]

Robert--

I have a Mantis which I use several times a year, even though I also have a rear-tine tiller. I use the Mantis for the following things:

-- Mixing new topsoil into garden beds.

-- Settling dirt into new areas. For example, I am in the process of laying a stone wall, and when I have spoil from another location I dump it behind the wall and use the Mantis to break it up and spread it around.

-- digging holes for trees and shrubs. The Mantis works very well at pulverizing our hard clay, and I can either spray it out the circumference of the hole to be pulled back in or shovel it out of the hole with less effort.

As to starting, I had another Mantis several years ago which was a real pain to start. I got a new one two years ago and have been very impressed with its starting. The Mantis does jump around, but that's not been a problem. I would, however, look at the Honda before I made a decision.

 

[rancar]

Thanks Rick. We'll also look at the Honda units.

 

[skent]

We've had one for 8 or 9 years now. Fantastic machine and always starts easy - even after winter storage. Tines are lifetime guarantee and I've NEVER bent one!

Never a regret!