Mantis Tiller

xbxb

xbxb

Basic Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2005
Messages
1,618
Have any of you guys ever purchased one of these and how did you like them??
 
I bought one a couple of years ago and I think it's a great little machine. I bought the 2-stroke because they generally produce more horsepower and low end torque than comparably sized 4-strokes. It tears through pretty much any soil although I recommend pick-axing real heavy clay first. It is light enough to carry around in one hand.

Keep in mind that it is a pretty small unit. I use it for garden beds so it is the perfect size. If you are going to be putting in new lawns I recommend getting a full-sized tiller.

One thing a lot of people don't realize is that you work it by walking backward, dragging it behind you. At first, you may find it bouncing like crazy when breaking ground, but you will quickly learn to control that by moving it back and forth from the broken to unbroken ground.

A couple of accessories I recommend are the bushings that cover the axle to reduce the wrap-around of viney vegetation, and the hook-like tool to clear the wrap-around from the axle when it does occur. (I ran mine into a wire fence and had a serious wrap-around, but it was very easy to remove the whole axle/tine assembly and clear it out - a 5-minute job.) I also bought the mesh bag to hold my clearing hook and maybe a bottle of drinking water.

All things considered, I call it money well-spent.
 
I also had one and thought it was an excellent little machine. I really liked the bush trimmer attatchment for mine. It would be hard to go wrong with one of these, especially if you are into landscaping.:thumbup:
 
After I got my Mantis, I sold the full size machine I had.

I have used my Mantis to completely till up an entire yard prior to replanting with sod, and I use it every year to till up an area about 70 feet by 50 feet, where my MILF plants her garden.

I'll never go back to a full size tiller again, unless its one I can attach to my small tractor. :D
 
Mike G said:
Guys;

I need to wipe out a HDD that runs WINXP, and reload XP from a CD.

I know how to do it on an older operating system, but I cannot find notes on how to do it without a startup disk.

Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

My grand dad had a Mantis and that thing chewed the crap out of the ground. I opted for a tiller attachment for my Troybilt trimmer, but the Mantis is a much better way to go in my opinion. Although, I am not sure what Mike is talking about Win XP for, the Mantis' I have seen don't have any software issues. :D
 
I've got to admit that I always thought that the Mantis was a telemarketed gimmick that wouldn't come close to doing the job. Good to hear that it actually works well. I'll keep my eye out for a used one to replace my ancient tiller.

Razz
 
It's basically a tiller attached to a weed-eater motor, but it works very well. I've used a neighbor's Mantis, as well as my mother's Mantis, and I've had no complaints. I'd buy one myself if it wasn't so easy to borrow my mom's on the few occasions I need to till.
 
Glad to know that these are really a decent little machine, I've been thinking about getting one for a while.

MikeG - based on the information in this thread, I would start by backing up over the HDD with a Mantis two-cycle tiller, taking care to protect the axle from being wrapped up in "viney" wiring. You may need to carefully work the tiller from the "tilled" portion of the computer to the "untilled" portion, based on how sturdy the device is. As far as "reloading XP", I think you may need a regular, full-sized tiller for that... :)

Though I write in jest, sadly, that is about as helpful as I can be in regards to Computer work.

AN
 
Mike G said:
Guys;

I need to wipe out a HDD that runs WINXP, and reload XP from a CD.

I know how to do it on an older operating system, but I cannot find notes on how to do it without a startup disk.

Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

This thread drift was so severe I got whiplash. :p
 
i am looking at getting a mantis tiller. the local garden shop recommends them over honda etc. they now have 4-cycle and electric models. any thoughts on those?
 
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