mantis tiller

I am thinking about buying Bobbie a mantis tiller.LOL NOT.
I am thinking about buying us a mantis tiller and wonder if anyone has any experience with it. I have a large tiller that is so large I never use. I remember once someone mentioning the mantis here on Dave's. Jim

I have had my Mantis for 6 years and I LOVE IT!!! I can start it by myself and can carry it anywhere. It is great in my opinion. Digs like crazy. Even DH comments on how good it is for just a little thing. I don't regret buying mine.

Not a chance of using one here. These rocks would chew it to pieces in one use.

Take a look at the Honda mini tiller. I've had one for 5 years and love it.
Its a 4 stroke, you don't have to mix oil with the gas.

Paul

I love my mantis! It's a me size tiller. LOL

I love mine. Got it last year and now I don't have to have DH or the next door neighbor drop whatever they are doing to start it for me. Very easy to handle and does just as good a job as the bigger ones.

My Mantis is 11 yrs. old and I wouldn't be without it. I can carry it where ever I need to go with it. Mine is Electric--just plug it in and go. We live on 3 acres and can go about anywhere with it. My cousin ordered one off the internet last fall and got his for $280.00, that is cheaper than when we bought ours. The price is well worth it, never had any problems with it.

Thanks everone. Debby I did go on their site and they were listed as $299. I got some information not long ago through the mail about an electric one but couldn't find it on their site. I was thinking about the electric. It said it was strong enough to dig rocks as large as a brick. I might send an email to them and see what the price is on the electric model. Thanks again. Jim

I've been thinking about buying one, too! I didn't know you could get either an electric or a gas.

We do have small rocks in our clay soil. Do you think that would be too much for the tiller to handle?

here's a link with free shipping, 299.00 electric.
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/mancoreltilc.html
got me thinking about this again.

The electric is a workhorse, just as much as the gas powered one, only you don't have to worry about the gas and oil. Just plug it in and make sure you gots lots of outdoor extention cord and go, no fussing to start either, push a button. They will bring up the rocks and dig deep 10 to 12 inches. They make the soil into a very fine tilth. Oh, by the way, the tines are guaranteed for life. We have never broken one yet. My personnal opinion is that they do a much better job than the big cumbersome tillers. Much easier to handle.

I love my Manti's(Mantiis). I had a gas powered one and really used it a lot. But I have artiritis in both hands and wrists and it was getting to be a problem to start. So last year I got an electric one,certainly is easy to start. And is much quieter. Some of my garden has quite a few rocks and it does make the Mantis jump around, I call it my Towhee as it reminds me of a towhee digging in the leaves.
rutholive, (Donna)

I think I need to talk to Santa again already. An electric tiller and a big old generator on a trailer should fix me up for awhile. I once had an electric lawnmower, and that cord drove me nuts, so this bears mulling. Lifetime replacement on parts to handle this rock quarry might be a serious drain on the stockholders at Mantis. But if they will do that, I need to really look into it. Does anyone know if these babies can be operated from one of those electric scooters? I am beginning to think I might be able to garden seriously again!

Thanks for the added information & link, Arlene.

A quieter but effective machine suits me just fine. We've several "manly" neighbors that use these outrageously loud yard helpers (leaf blowers, edgers, etc...) I think those are gas powered and maybe that's why they are so loud.

I had received a mailing about the Mantis Tiller so when I saw Jim's post, it reminded me about it again. I think they were offering an incentive. Oh, yes, here it is. You get a border edger attachment free right now. The number on this was 800-366-6268.

Morph we must be on the same mailing list. Thanks Arlene for the site for the electric. I'm thinking about the gas model because of the attachments that are available. I couldn't find any attachments for the electric. I might email them and see before I buy. I couldn't till this frozen ground now with any tiller. So it will be next month before I order.

ok, georgia red clay, here you go. it has the attachments. don't know about the shipping cost, free edger for electric too. i'm gonna get me one!
http://www.mantiselectrictiller.com/index2.htm

did you look on ebay?

Arlene that was fast. Thanks for the info. I thnk I will go with the electric also. Jim

just now, thanks, wouldn't have thought of that.

mmmm, I think I'll go for the gusto and get the electric. I love eBay, but I think I'd prefer this straight from the manufacturer for warranties & such... thanks all :)

Morph me to.

:) Georgia! You'll be able to use yours sooner than me ~ I'm so jealous!!!!

I have a Ryobi. Very similar, but much cheaper. You can get it as one of several components for a the motor unit. Available at Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=51583 for the tiller and http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=51584 for the string trimmer with motor. Harbor Freight units are reconditioned, but with warantee. Also available at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004R9R2/qid=1042943460/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_5/103-6282144-6436657?v=glance&s=home-garden&n=507846

Hmmmm... Do you think it's as durable as the Mantis? This is my first time purchase for such an item. I know there can usually be a wide disparity between products and their quality. Does anyone else have a Ryobi testimonial? Thanks, George4tax!

No way it doesnt compare-i have both and it doesnt dig like the mantis! It may get down 2-3inches of hard dirt(already tilled but rained on)The mantis can till down deep-10inches or more!
Ry-does alot of bouncing!Ry is good for tilled dirt!
The only thing that comes close to mantis-would be that honda!
For that good old ground in GA-id get the honda or the mantis!
Wish I had electric start on mine!
I dont think you can compare them-my opinion!

Thanks, Notmartha! I don't want to find out too late that I don't have the right tool for a tough job with our clay & small rocks here in Ohio. It's tough digging here, too!

I hqve a Ryobi....It is to heavey,and the weight is above your hands not on the head of the tiller. It is very hard to use

Thx, Boxer ~ all advice helps solidify my decision further.

We have had our Mantis for about 10 years and love it. It digs out rocks as large as bricks easily. Jack calls it my China Digger because he says if I would just stay in one place for very long it would dig thru to China. I have used it to dig holes for planting fruit trees, etc. as well as in beds. I love it for the raised beds. No way could we get a large tiller into one of those beds. Since I am the one who does a lot of the tilling, easy starting and handling are important. I have seen 10 year old slight of build boys handle one.
Remember folks, if you buy factory direct, there is a one year unconditional warrenty. If for any reason you are not happy with it, call the company and they will have a trucking/shipping company pick it up at your home and send it back free as well as refunding your money. There are also reconditioned ones available with full warrenty. These are trade-ins from people who bought new ones for what ever reason.
GOD bless you & have a great day.

Jim, we love our mantis so much, we bought 2..a his and hers ...

I don't have a small tiller of any type, but I have seen one in gardeners supply catalogue. Don't know how it would compare. Anyone?

Alrighty my mom and I have been looking for a new tiller, and it seems you all might have convinced me to convince her to get one hahah :)

Katrina

Well, I done did it. Just got off the phone after placing the order. I tried to order online, but I couldn't find the option to make certain I was ordering the electric & not the gas powered one. The woman taking the order was nice. She said she has had people in their nineties calling to ask if they can use this! She says if you're still up to gardening, I'm sure you can :) Anyway, I'm excited and I really want to let my Bump try this to see what he thinks!

Ok I am going to order tonight, I saw one on ebay for 260.00 plus 26.00 shipping and handlign do you think I should get this or buy the one directly from mantis???

Katrnia

katrina, the first link i listed has the electric for 299.00, free shipping, free edger. the second link is direct to the mantis people, 299.00 and i think the shipping is 21.00. if they have the same warranty i guess ebaly is okay. honestly, i think i'm gonna go with mantis so i can pay in four credit card payments. will be easier for me as i compete with 2 teens and DH after the best toys! DD just threw a rod in her car, lol. i'm ready for mine now!!!!yard is full of sand and limerock, i can't wait. boy will my critters be happy this summer, me too.

The shipping was $24 or $25 directly from Mantis. I just wanted to deal directly as it's worth it to me to cover any possible issues. This way they have a record of my purchase in case I lose paperwork or whatever. They'll probably keep my name & the serial number of the unit in their system (I'm guessing).
I don't know how reliable the warranties are if you don't go directly through Mantis. This one is electric, not gas. She said they'd just started making them again last year (the electric) and hadn't seen many returned or needing fixing. I guess they used to make another electric version because of how she phrased that comment.

Arlene, what critters will you be pleasing with the Mantis? Just curious :)

Hahahha I just was looking at the site also and am going to go with the gas powered from mantis direct because of the 4 installments also! I wonder how long it takes to get here? Think it would be here by the weekend? Wouldn't that be wonderful!!!

Katrina

This is going to be so perfect for the yard, there are old azalea hedges that have been there forever so no way mulch can go under them, but if i till out an edging around them and plant caladium bulbs I think this will give it a nice touch don'tcha think??? Also planning on tilling about a 2' strip in the front yard highway road frontage and planting some zinnias and wildflower seed mixes in spring!!! won't it be lovely... Oh and for my trees road covereage I decided to go with east palatka holly trees and am going to topiary them into little bell shapes!!!

Katrina

sounds good Katrina. Morph, the wildlife in general, butterflies and hummers, especially. i have added lots of plants since i discovered the hummers, and i have paid the DS and sometimes his friends to help me "dig holes". my soil is so bad, this will be great, i'll be able to do it easier and by myself, add some good stuff to the sand. (old with bad back, lol).
i do have a wintering rufous hummer, have seen more than one at a time but the general keeps the others run off. i believe they found me in the fall when i had 40 plus brugs blooming, plus sages, milkweeds, passion vines and other critter food. i picked a stalk of bananas before the last frost, i think they may ripen and be edible. they look perfect inside but are hard, it looks like they'll ripen.

LOL, Arlene! I thought maybe that's what you meant, but I wasn't sure! I've usually done the digging with some help from DH when I can convince him. I hope I get more critters, too!

Katrina ~ you go girl! You've got your plan solidified! You & Arlene are lucky being in Florida. I'll have to wait for some thawing before I can use mine. They did say it may be here by Friday. If not Friday, then probably Monday.

Also, I'm going to have to manage my tilling with the people who installed our electronic dog fence. I've gardened around our fenceline. Now that I can use the Mantis to till in good nutrients in this area, I'll probably cut right through the elecronic fence ~ dope. I hope they don't charge an arm & a leg about this.

I think we should start a new thread about "Tilling Learnings & Advice". I've never done this so I'm not even sure what I'll be adding other than manure for certain. I'd like to kill the grass before I till, too. But, I sure would like to know how others have tackled this kind of job!

I'll get mine the middle of next month. Waiting on money situation to improve. In other words as soon as the SS check gets here. Morph that is an excellent idea about the new thread.