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Vegetable Gardening

New model of Mantis tiller

13 years ago

They stick these inserts into all the gardening shipments, and I was surprised to see photos of this model, it looks twice as wide as the old one. Has anyone used it?

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Comments (9)

ldj1002
13 years ago
If it is twice as wide I wouldn't want it. That would mean it would need a larger engine, be heavy, couldn't get in tight spots, IE it would be more like my larger tiller. I use both and each wouldn't do the job I do with the other.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
16" wide, 35 hp 4cycle engine
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I just purchased a Mantis 2-cylinder tiller....I really like it. That little tiller works its butt off. I mulched up some leaves, spread those mulched leaves through two of my raised beds, then worked my mantis over the beds and blended those leaves beautifully. I have tilled through grass to extend a section of my garden and the Mantis did a great job. The Mantis is light weight and easy to handle. I see no reason why you won't like it. I have read that with the 4 cylinder, you may be required to change oil every 10 hours and the 4 cylinder may have a little more guts. Enjoy, DelVec
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It is very useful for cultivating, dethatching for lawn. I have the Mantis with 25cc engine. I trim the edge of the lawn with it and no problem. I never try to break up the lawn with it yet. If you take your time, it will dig. If you worry about the power Mantis just come out one with 31cc Honda engine that is 30lbs (10 lbs heavier) which should improve on digging. But I think the small one would be just fine. After the first time, you would not need the kind of power anymore. The smaller one is lighter to transport around. I love my Mantis. Buy the dethatcher tine for your lawn, it work really great. I bought direct from Mantis. Service is second to none. I repeat SECOND TO NONE. I they have one year home trial. The gear box broke on mine a few months from purchase. I called them, they actually apologized and sent me a new gear box in 5 days, I swapped out the old one, they even arranged to picked up the broken one a few days later. No question asked, no giving me hard time, don't cost me a dime. Don't be penny wise, save a few dollars and buy from store, dealers or ebay. They don't honor the warranty like this, they want you to go through the place you bought from and that usually where the nightmare start. Particularly some dishonest dealer, they will blame you on everything and not honor the warranty. The big store don't deal with you after 30 days, and ebay!!!! Buy direct from Mantis. Go on their site and get the number and talk to a real person. It is free shipping. Do a search on Mantis in this forum, you will find me raving about my little Mantis in the last two years!!!!!
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I got my 2 cycle Mantis in 1999 for $200 and I still use it regularly. I never empty the gas or do recommended maintenance and it continues to run fine. It takes a few times to start but once it's running, it stays running and then starts immediately if I turn it off for a while. I put in gas additive to prevent gumming. I replaced the gas primer pump that cracked and got new air filters and replaced the lost pins to hold the tines. The pull starter rope just broke and I replaced it with rope I had. The spring from the starting puller popped out and I bent it trying to wind it so I am buying a new one. I am sorry others have bad luck with theirs. I am grateful mine works this well, and am impressed with the strength of the tines.
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adkinska, no darn wonder and thank you for the obvious trouble you went to for me. That looks exactly like the schematic in my manual, and I was starting to think that, too, as it is the only way I could envision that looked like the schematic. No wonder I was confused. I don't think that's what the guy at the hardware store told me on the phone, and I watched them one time trying to fill and start it before making out a ticket. He definitely was doing it just tilting it to the side and pouring straight from the plastic container of oil. Wasn't getting anywhere with that, wouldn't start, said I got it all spilled onto the spark plug and other parts, and would have to be all cleaned out which was probably true. So to be doubly sure here, you are saying that I should tip the engine FORWARD like that (perfectly clear, just went and tried it) for BOTH filling and checking? They only had that one tiller, and I don't think they know a whole lot about it to be honest compared to the other one they sell. I will emblazon that magic number 2.7 oz in my brain and find something more exact to measure it with and fill very slowly. A baby bottle comes to mind, maybe my new measuring cup(s) has oz on it. In time, I should gain more confidence about that. What a difference a good explanation makes! First I will try what you said before bothering my son about it and hauling it back over there. You don't know how much I appreciate that! I will check if 10W 30 is the same as the SAE 30 they sold me that I've been using, knew not to put my snowblower/lawnmower oil in it from that older thread.
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aquawise
13 years ago
IMHO! Get a Honda Tiller!!! there little tiller is 100 times better. I had a Mantis It was pretty good the first 2 years, then it went south. Getting service from Mantis was A joke! And that is being kind!!!!!!!
After having to have it fixed every year after the first 2 good years, I just said #*^@ this thing! Went and bought a little Honda 4 stroke. Starts first time every time, No gas/oil mixing. It ran for 12 years without having to go to a shop for repairs. I use it a "LOT" and I have been thrilled with it. Never another Mantis or any 2 stroke Engine for me.
Mantis~~ Trouble free~~2 years~~3 years of constant fix it!
Honda~~ 12 years trouble free~ repaired one time 2009. No trouble as yet.
This is just my take from hands on experiance.
sonnyside
13 years ago
Don't know about the new model but my old one is on the 10th year and still starts on the first pull.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
My Mantis is the 4 cycle, and I would definitely recommend it over the 2. I note that Mantis now offers something they call a "quick start" option with the 2, which is rather an admission that starting is a chronic problem with that model.

I think ldj is probably quite right. Most of the benefits of a tiny tillers would be obviated by a larger, heavier model. Except the time it takes to cover the ground.
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
13 years ago
I have the smaller Mantis, have had it for a good many years, it does the job for me as most of my garden is in raised beds now. I gave my 5 HP Honda to my son-in-law so it's stil handy if I have a need for it.
We had trouble with the carburetor once when we left the gas in when it over the winter. Anyone have the electric version, I see they're now available in Canada. It's on my wish list, I like the idea of not having to mess around with gas.

Annette
bigpinks
13 years ago
Made the mistake of buying a Pony which is just to big for my aging lower back. I do love the way it pulverizes my clay soil. Bought the 4 cyc Honda as well that is light as a feather. Might look at this new one to do the rougher work and leave the Pony in the garage.
wordwiz
13 years ago
16" wide, 35 hp 4cycle engine

Did you forget a decimal point between the 3 and 5?

Mike
User
Original Author
13 years ago
Ah, no, I typed hp instead of cc. 35cc

Good catch.

The old one is 25cc.

Weight is 34# vs 24#.

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