Recommendations for a light weight tiller

GoatsRus · #1 04/27/10, 02:29 PM

I have raised vegetable beds and our bolen tiller is too heavy to get up into the beds. If I do manage to get it in there, it's too big to work with since the beds are 4x8. I'm looking for a good light weight hand tiller - like a Mantis. I really don't want to spend as much as they want for the Mantis, but want it to be a good tiller. Any suggestions?

kreig · #2 04/27/10, 02:34 PM

Kathy has a mantis and it is a real workhorse. I know you don't want to spend the $$ but hers is many years old and still works like new. I think that it has more than paid for itself over the years. Maybe you could find a used one and save some money.

uncle Will in In. · #3 04/27/10, 03:13 PM

I had a Ryobi. It was ok the first 2 years, but was trash after that. I bought a Remington electric tiller which is the same size as the other mini tillers but you just squeeze the handle and it runs. Seems like it cost about $165 at Menards. Does a great job, but it weighs a little more than the Ryobi did.

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #4 04/27/10, 03:18 PM

well if you don't want a mantis try a Stihl they are good but also pricy

i have a tiller end for my ryobi 31cc gas trimmer that switches out implimnents , it is ok but not on par with the stihl my granpa has or the mantis my aunt has

the mantis does not like rocks , but what tiller does

Harry Chickpea · #5 04/27/10, 03:27 PM

Do you want to till or cultivate? I'd use a couple boards as ramps to get the big boy up there to till at the beginning of the season, then use landscape fabric or black plastic to minimize weed issues after it was tilled.

greif · #6 04/27/10, 08:13 PM

i hate the mantis junk.... want to buy it?

if you have raised beds you should not need to till I no longer do

**Shrek** · #7 04/27/10, 08:40 PM

I had a ryobi and a mantis and sold them both after discovering how well a pound of redworms and leafmold mulch as cover on the raised beds made a nice almost weed free , self tilled , self fertilized 5 by 20 foot 12 inch high raised bed and required no gas. Each fall when I rake the leaves I surface mulch the beds. In the spring I plant and during the season mulch with mowing clippings, shredded paper or cardboard.

Callieslamb · #8 04/27/10, 08:40 PM

I have a mantis knock off that I love. I think they come in 4 cylindars now...which would be nice. We have to have to tuned every year or it won't start. But other than that - I love it.

mylala · #9 04/27/10, 09:23 PM

I love my Mantis. Cheapest I found was at www.mownsnow.com for $270 free ship and no tax, also no kickstand or "free" edger. If you want those it's like 20 bucks more.

TheMartianChick · #10 04/27/10, 09:27 PM

I have a mantis that I found on Craigslist for under $100. It is electric and the previous owner bought it for just one project and didn't need it any more.

manygoatsnmore · #11 04/28/10, 01:53 AM

I'll second the electric Mantis! I always had trouble starting my gas Mantis, and since I have a lot of rocks and roots, I'd have to keep turning it off to put out the rocks. Then I'd have trouble starting it again. Since getting the electric edition, the only thing I've had to do is sharpen the tines. Plenty of power, too. I don't have raised beds, though, so I don't know if you really need a tiller or just lots of compost and mulch.

foxtrapper · #12 04/28/10, 06:04 AM

Don't start heavying up the tiller. Those featherweight units are dandy, but when you start making them a little bigger, or adding silly things like electric starters or wheels, they become downright awkward. To heavy to handle easily, and too small to work well. Mantis, Echo, Stihl, etc. are all very good machines.

Electric is a darn good option. And in string trimmers, not just mini-tillers. Pull the switch and the motor runs. That's all there is to it. That's a lot easier than pulling the starter cord and fussing around with cleaning carburetors and mixing 2-stroke gasolines. If you can get a good extension cord to the garden, I would likely recommend an electric unit.

brosil · #13 04/28/10, 07:45 AM

Mantis. The electric one would be nice.

GoatsRus · #14 04/28/10, 11:14 AM

Good point about the elec. equip. The beds are pretty close to the house, so electric would be good - and lighter. My beds are weed free, but I like to till in last years mulch, leaves and straw before planting. I suppose I could turn everything over by hand, but who has the time and after it's tilled, the beds and dirt look so nice.

sweetbabyjane · #15 04/28/10, 12:00 PM

The Mantis is great but it works best when it is pulled backward (toward you), so if you get an electric one make sure you watch out for the cord.

I've had a Troybuilt Horse, a Bolens, and a gas Mantis and the only one I can start by myself is the Mantis. Sold the Troybuilt and only use the Bolens when one of the boys can start it for me. The Mantis is the one I use all the time; it's powerful and light enough for me to handle. You do have to get used to walking backward and pulling the Mantis through the dirt (read You are the motor) gives your shoulders a work out. Forward, then back, forward, then back. But when you are through the rows look so nice!

I use the Mantis for my small flower beds and the vegetable garden. Works great on both. I didn't want to spend that much either but it has turned out to be worth the $$.

SBJ

kbabin · #16 04/28/10, 12:42 PM

I have this and have been happy.

http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/s...13804_54974_-1

Kevin

timfromohio · #17 04/28/10, 01:17 PM

We have 13 raised beds - eight 4'x8' and five 3'x5'. I use the "garden weasel" type of cultivator and it works great. It's a different brand, but the same idea. A t-handle with multiple curved prongs at the bottom. I can work compost into a 4'x8' bed in about 5 minutes - just go in rows, rastering back and forth. No noise, easy to use, a little exercise as well. Cost was about $30 at Home Depot or Lowes - can't remember where I got it.