I have been debating between the two for a long time. I came to conclusion that the Mantis has the same proven gear box for years where Honda is new. Also I am using it mainly for de-thatching. The video I post below show how good the Mantis work, I just want to play it safe. I just order the Mantis with Honda engine with de-thatcher and aerator tines. Mantis have promotion. $449 for tiller, they kick in the kick stand, edger, free shipping, one year refund. Just can't refuse this. I mainly use it for de-thatching. If you have doubt of how well this little thing work for dethatching, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7kUDcOhiU I choose Mantis over Honda FG110 because of the promotion and also the gear reduction ratio. Mantis is 42:1 vs Honda 35:1. Higher gear ratio of Mantis meaning the tines turn slower and have better torque. For de-thatching, slower turning should be better for the grass so it won't damage the grass as much. Also higher gear ratio means it won't labor the engine as much. I choose the Honda engine because the Echo is rated only at 0.9hp where as the Honda is 1.1hp. 0.9hp for the Echo engine is published by Mantis. Honda GX25 is rated 1.1hp in many documentation. I hate mixing oil. I have HC151 hedge trimmer with the same Echo engine, it is loud and harder to start. I have the Honda HHT31S trimmer and the engine is so quiet, the sound of the trim head spinning is as loud as the motor. You almost can get away without ear plug.( don't even think about it). I'll post my experience after I use it. It should be here in a week.

Could your fuel filter, found at the end of the tube in the fuel tank (that's where mine is) be clogged and need replacement? You could try pulling the hose out of the tank with some forceps or needlenose pliers, remove the filter, put the hose back into the tank, and pump the bulb to see if it draws fuel into the carb. If that works, contact Mantis for a new filter. Don't till without a filter cause you can get dirt in the tank and clog up the carb.

As many seem to be doing, I am weighing whether to purchase the Stihl MM55 tiller or a Mantis. My online research has revealed the opinion on the various blogs and message boards to be that the Stihl is a good tool and comparable in performance and quality to the Mantis in most every way. Opinions vary from person to person, but adjusting for this, the two seem to be in a statistical dead heat. However, I have noticed something which I feel may be the fatal flaw of the Stihl. Whether in Facebook video clips, or even in the demo video clips on the official sites of both brands, it looks like the Stihl just doesn?t dig down anywhere near as far as the Mantis. In the multiple clips I have viewed, rarely is the Stihl to be seen in up to the "axle"; that is, the rotational axis of the tines; but the Mantis can often be seen buried right up to the fender. Hence, the Stihl seems to only be providing half or less of the tilling depth on average as does the Mantis. Has anyone else noticed this? I have a theory as to why this tilling depth disparity exists? The in-line configuration of the Stihl; i.e., the engine being between the operator and the tines; combined with the design of the handlebars, which induce the operator to lean forward or hunch over, results in the tiller being held at a severe angle to the ground. If you envision the thing laying on the ground and call this "zero degrees" and imagine it standing perfectly vertical and call this "ninety degrees" it appears that in most Facebook clips of the tool in use and even the demo video clip on the official Stihl site the tiller is usually only 20-30 degrees from horizontal. I am not a physicist or a degreed engineer, but I have to believe this takes a lot of the Stihl?s weight off the tines and forces the operator to carry it. After all, the engine is between the end supported by the ground and the end supported by the operator, thus, the operator has to be carrying some of it. The closer to horizontal the tool is held the more weight is carried by the operator. For a nominally 20 pound tool, I would not be surprised if only 12 pounds or so was working to push the tines down into the ground. By contrast the configuration of the Mantis puts nearly all of its 20 pounds above the tines. I suspect the operator of the Mantis carries none of its weight, but rather only holds it up in operating position. This then accounts for the greater tilling depth I see the Mantis achieving. Any physicists out there care to comment?

Mantis offers a four stroke engine for their tillers. If you buy a knockoff, make sure it has the tines Mantis puts on their machine. They are far superior to the standard tines found on other small tillers.