buying a garden tiller

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ohsnoes

Guest
I want to buy a garden tiller. Soliciting opinions and comments on what you've used and like or didn't like. Specifically interested in a Mantis because it's lightweight and I could toss it in my car to use at a community garden plot (as well as home use). The tillers I saw at Lowe's left me less than impressed.

TIA
 
GWguy

GWguy

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I have one similar to the Mantis. Works best in soil that's already loose, has a hard time in soil that hasn't been worked in a long time.

They use 2-cycle motors (or had been...) and they seem to foul easily over the winter if you don't take real good care of the fuel system.

If you plan on doing a garden that's of any size, it will take forever with the small tiller. If you buy a tiller, get one that's rear-tine, counter-rotating if you can afford it. Unless you use it extensively, rent one.
 
Cowgirl

Cowgirl

Well-Known Member
I have used a Mantis. I agree with GW, they're not too good for large areas or clay soil. We owned a front tine, and I've rented rear tined ones. I actually prefer the front tines. I think they're a little harder to control sometimes, but I personally felt like the front tined ones do a better job. :shrug: I don't think the rear-tined one went as deep it was harder to adjust.
 
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toppick08

Guest
Cowgirl said:
I have used a Mantis. I agree with GW, they're not too good for large areas or clay soil. We owned a front tine, and I've rented rear tined ones. I actually prefer the front tines. I think they're a little harder to control sometimes, but I personally felt like the front tined ones do a better job. :shrug: I don't think the rear-tined one went as deep it was harder to adjust.
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:yeahthat:

just watch out for the chain linked fences...:lol:
 
Vince

Vince

......
ohsnoes said:
I want to buy a garden tiller. Soliciting opinions and comments on what you've used and like or didn't like. Specifically interested in a Mantis because it's lightweight and I could toss it in my car to use at a community garden plot (as well as home use). The tillers I saw at Lowe's left me less than impressed.

TIA
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Have had many tillers. Mantis is too small. You won't be satisfied. Don't go with a front tine tiller, it will bounce you all over the place. Get a Troybuilt rear tine tiller. You can walk behind it with one hand. It turns the dirt to powder. You won't be disappointed. And they come in all sizes down to the small ones.
 
GWguy

GWguy

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I had a front tined and got tired of having my shoulder ripped out at the sockets.....

Front tine can dig deeper, rear-time is easier to control.
 
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toppick08

Guest
Vince said:
Have had many tillers. Mantis is too small. You won't be satisfied. Don't go with a front tine tiller, it will bounce you all over the place. Get a Troybuilt rear tine tiller. You can walk behind it with one hand. It turns the dirt to powder. You won't be disappointed. And they come in all sizes down to the small ones.
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Not if you know how to use it...:shrug:
 
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ohsnoes

Guest
toppick08 said:
You ain't never dug in true yazoo clay.....sorry, you ain't got the ass.
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You two should :duel:

Thanks for all the responses. Now I'm back to square one. This year I have a 50' x 50' plot that is in good shape and has had extensive tilling and amendments. My yard 'dirt' = nasty...clay, rocks, dog toys, shells from fossil boy, etc. Really I don't want something that I need a truck and ramps to haul the thing around. So maybe a small Toro tiller.

On a happy note, my perennial garden is all clean and coming back to life. :dye:
 
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toppick08

Guest
To clear all things up.........rear-tined for the beginner, or those that want to listen to their i-pod while working...:duh:.

Front tined for actual work...grab some sweat.
 
Pete

Pete

Repete
I have seen many internet penis waving contests but never seen one over a roto-tiller.

Game on gentlemen :yay:
 
2ndAmendment

2ndAmendment

Just a forgiven sinner
PREMO Member
toppick08 said:
To clear all things up.........rear-tined for the beginner, or those that want to listen to their i-pod while working...:duh:.

Front tined for actual work...grab some sweat.
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Front tine is for idiots that don't have good sense, or for those that are too cheap to buy a good tiller.
 
2ndAmendment

2ndAmendment

Just a forgiven sinner
PREMO Member
ohsnoes said:
I want to buy a garden tiller. Soliciting opinions and comments on what you've used and like or didn't like. Specifically interested in a Mantis because it's lightweight and I could toss it in my car to use at a community garden plot (as well as home use). The tillers I saw at Lowe's left me less than impressed.

TIA
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There are several factors to consider. How big is the garden? How often will you use the tiller? How big are you? Is the soil loamy or compacted clay?

A Troy Horse is the work horse of tillers. They are big, brawny, and can't really bust up the soil without beating you up. They are heavy and you need space to be able to go off the end of the row and turn the tiller. They are self propelled so pull themselves as they till. After the first pass, I can use mine with one hand until I have to turn around.

Front tine tillers will beat you to death. They are typically not as heavy as rear tine tillers and bounce in the soil especially hard pack. Front tine tillers can be made to stay in one place for a long time since most are not self-propelled.

The fact that front tine tillers can be made to stay in one place gives the perception that they work better. I prefer to make multiple passes using my Troy Horse. The tilled soil always comes out almost powder like.

A Mantis is a good little tiller for very small plots and flower beds. Troy makes a little tiller too and seems to be a bit more robust.
 
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