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

2 cycle Mantis use the 21cc engine made famous by Echo. It has been the work horse for years in commercial environment. Reliability is beyond compare. If you have problem, chances are high that you don't know what you are doing. Particularly if you had it serviced many times. When you cold start, prime the bulb 7 to 8 times, close the choke all the way, don't touch the throttle and just pull. When it starts, quickly open the choke all the way, don't even touch the throttle. You monkey with the throttle while trying to start it, the engine can get into a stubborn mode and you are going to have a hell of a time starting it. Just follow my instruction. When you stop the engine and want to start again while it is hot, don't prime, don't throttle, just pull and it will start in one pull.

Heloflyer, I'm an avid fan of the Mantis, having had and used extensively the 2-cycle Echo powered one for the past 5 years. They're great. No way would I part with it. (my wife would shoot me if I did! ~grin~) This thing has been totally reliable, with only an occasional air filter and plug change. I've done some jobs for a neighbor, and he finally decided he needed a "mini-tiller", too. Unfortunately, he got talked into the Honda brand...he's so sorry now...they don't do the same job. The patented tine design of the Mantis, plus the Echo performance make all the difference in the world. Contrary to a comment made above, you don't need extra weight to have these little guys do their job. You'll be amazed at what you can do....including tearing up sod in previously un-tilled areas like a flower bed, or whatever. I do own and use a big tiller for the major garden area, but still would never part with my Mantis. One option I would recommend you buy is the "kickstand". It's not expensive, and it's a real convenience. Go for it. You'll be pleased. Off topic....I'm going to send you an email re: your previous profession. Cordially offered, Hal

Hi Cap, I have to differ with Ruthie. I've had a Mantis now for over 10 years and love it. I have lots of different uses for it too. It's fantastic for working up my 3'X 12'X 17" raised beds, I use it to turn and aerate (sp?) my compost pile, back when I row gardened, Iit was super for cultivating the rows and around plants and I use it to score the surface of my lawn prior to over seeding. A coworker once told me that her 80 year old mother still worked up her garden by hand, but it was getting hard for her to do so. I volunteered to till it up with my Mantis for her. Much to my dismay, when I got there I found hard baked clay. Well, I needn;t have worried. The Mantis chewed right through and pulverized the clay. I went back home, got a couple bushels of compost,some fertilizer, and stopped at a Home Depot and bought a couple bags of coarse sand. After tilling it all in with the Mantis, I was later that season told that it was the best garden that she'd ever had. John