Tiny Tillers

[patrickg]

I have a 60 inch 3PH mounted PTO driven tiller that I prepared the garden with but need a much smaller walk-behind tiller to cultivate the weeds and grass to maintain the garden. Unfortunately, I just can't seem to find a hoe that fits my hands!

Anyone have experience with the small Honda 1.5 HP, Mantis, Ryobi, or other small tiller. I want a really little one to be easy to use (so I am not the only one who can use it). Small is good to manuever between rows. Hard or deep diging is not required as the ground was pre-tiled multiple times by tractor.

Pros and cons of price, performance, waranty and longivity? Locally it seems there is a "tiller season" and it has passed at some farm supply stores so they won't stock them again till next spring. Suggested sources are solicited as well.

The problem isn't that I can't find tillers on the web, I don't know which are good equipment for the $ and which aren't.


Thanks in advance for any leads.

Patrick

 

[tgello]

i have a tiller attachment that goes on the end of a straight shaft echo brush trimmer. it is good in soft soil but tends to jump up if the soil is some what packed....tgello

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Patrick:
If you search on Mantis, you'll find a couple of threads on it and other small tillers.
A couple of years ago, I bought a walk behind at Home Depot that my wife tried, but ultimately couldn't handle. Three weeks ago, she bought herself a Mantis. After weeding the vegetable garden, she decided to expand it, because now she can weed it easily by herself. That one day proved to me that the Mantis is a great machine - even if some people prefer the Honda or Ryobi.
Incidentally, it came with a free edger attachment. I don't know if that promo is still going on.

 

[patrickg]

Charlie, Yes the promo is still on. I wonder if the Mantis is worth over $300 when the Ryobi 4 cycle is avail for a bit over $200? Did you get 2 or 4 stroke version? How hard to start is it? They want $50 for a set of cheap wheels so you don't have to carry it everywhere and it will stand up for refueling (nothing to lean it against until the corn gets big). Sure its light but the other end of our garden is 100 yds from back door.

Patrick

 

[rmorgan]

Patrick--

Mantis works great. Can also be used to dig holes--you'll be surprised at how well. Only thing is I'd check the Honda first because their engines are so good, although the Mantis we have now starts every time.

 

[patrickg]

rmorgan, I read all the previous TBN posts on Mantis (a lot). I have no doubt they are prety good machines. I just scanned the Honda site to see the 1.5 HP mini-tiller. Looks good AND it is a Honda with 2 yr waranty. No price listed.
I can get a Ryobi 4 stroke for $209 with free shipping. mantis seems to be over $300 plus you pay shipping. Is it worth the difference?

Results are in for Honda prices...

Model________Description___________________________________ List Price Sale Price
FG 100____1.5 hp, mini 4 stroke, 9" tine, variable speed_________ $ 499_____$ 439
FG 200____2.5 hp, mini 4 stroke, 12" tine, variable speed_________$ 699_____$679

Well I guess I don't need one of those cute little Hondas.

Patrick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Don't know where your prices came from but the 1.5 Honda is available at Home Depot for $299. I have used the 2 stroke Mantis and the Honda is a superior machine.

 

[MossRoad]

For what its worth, the father of a friend of mine bought a Mantis. He used it for a summer and decided that he didn't like it. He didn't say why. They had a one year garantee that if you weren't satisfied with it, you could return it. He returned it and they gave him no hassles or problems. He had to pay for shipping, that's it. Don't know if they still have that policy, but it says something good about the company if they do.

 

[EdKing]

I have a Ryobi trimmer with the quick connect system. I have the trimmer, the blower, the tiller, and the pruner. Very nice little machine. The only difference between the quick connect tiller and the dedicated tiller is the wheels and frame setup. The quick connect tiller works well in lose soil, but without the wheels, can be tiring after using it a while. I imagine the dedicated model would eliminate this short comming. I am on my second Ryobi setup, had the first one about 4 years till the motor died. It was a factory reconditioned unit, and held up pretty well. The one I have now I bought new, and it is on its 3rd year and going strong. Both units were the 2 cycle motors.

 

[WVBill]

I too have the Ryobi quick disconnect trimmer and tiller. I agree, the tiller is good for "between-the-crops" tilling of pre-tilled soil. It's useless for new tilling - just much too light.