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Mantis tiller sale seen on Amazon

15 years ago

I haven't bought one in years, but they have the 2 cycle and electric model for $249 shipped to your door. Does that make a good of a Christmas gift as a vacuum cleaner?

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Comments (6)

yungman
15 years ago
That is a very good price. I bought mine direct from Mantis for more but I would still consider that if I were you. Reason is service.

When I got it new, I notice the engine looked like there are some fishnet pattern on the casting, I demand an exchange, they did, free.

5 months down the road, the gear box jammed. I open it and found no grease it the housing, they forgot to put grease in. They shopped me a new gear box, arrange return shipment, no charge, no question ask. I love it. YOu cannot avoid things gone wrong, service is more important. I take them over the dealer.

BTW, it is the best piece of equipment I bought!!! It is so useful, get the dethatcher attachment. It worked so well, it does not beat up the lawn like the big dethatcher. The lawn look good right after the dethatching. I use it all the time, to get rid of weeds, dig holes for planting etc.
I got the one with Honda engine, it is very quiet and easy to start.
yungman
15 years ago
I forgot. Call Mantis whether they are willing to give you the same service as mine even if you buy it in Amazon. If they do, then there should be no problem buying on Amazon. Either way, don't buy in dealers. You cannot get nearly as good a price and they are not necessary that good in service. I have disappointing experience with dealer. At least for Mantis, you can do better.
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I bought a mini 2 cycle mantis for my wife for our downsized garden about a year ago (2011). Big mistake. She won't use it. It is less than one year old, and even I have trouble starting it. You shouldn't have to drain the gas after every use, clean the carburetor constantly, replace the spark plug after a few months of light use because it is fowled. Never had these problems with other 2-cycle engines. Took it to a small engine shop who gave it a tune up ((after one year of minimal use?!?!?)) and it still is hard to start. Dies when you get to the end of the row. Bucks and twists if soil is compacted, and look out if you hit a root or rock! The lack of depth control results in it sitting in one place and spinning, lift it up and it bounces ahead. I have, and have used over the years, many 2 cycle pieces of equipment even though I prefer 4 cycle engines. I regret I ever bought this and won't buy another Mantis. My old tiller was bigger and heavier, but 1000 times better....even in a small garden.
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Ok Lucy. We will go tomorrow if it doesn't kill me fishing today. I just have some sore muscles from yesterday but not hurting as bad as I thought for all I have done the last two days. Its too cold to go fishing for another hour or two at least so I am just resting. I'll pay you to till me a long border on the side of the yard, lol. I have been eyeballing that big tiller for rent at the hardware store. That bad boy would do some damage, lol. John is wanting to put in the privacy fence since he found out the neighbors watch us out their bedroom window, roflmao. I wish he would hurry up and do it because it sure would be nice to have the border I want up against a wooden fence in a raised bed so I can fill it with good soil and will have more room for the brugs. I had a few of them starting to leaf out yesterday so I tried to cover the leafy part with mulch. I hope the wind didn't blow it all off and they froze again. Scared to go look outside, lol. Ok Lucy Perry Post, Ryan and Knotz want some of the agave but they are small and easy to dig so its up to you if we can get some for them as well. I have to see what the lady wants for them.
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tomplum
Original Author
15 years ago
I actually wasn't in the market, but thought that it seemed to be a good price for anyone seeking their wife's next project... I looked up our mantis from 1996 and she paid $329 from a local garden store. Echo's tiller was the kissing cousin of the Mantis for anyone w/ local dealer.
yungman
15 years ago
Echo is exactly the same as Mantis, just different label. Mantis is using the Echo 21.2cc engine.

I went on Amazon last night to check because $249 for the gas model is unheard of. Only the electric one is $249.

I am not sure the electric is a good idea. You get the cable caught in the tine, you will be in deep dodo!!! I got some 1/4" drip tube caught in the tine, it wind up pretty tight. Might rip the electric cable.

It is very useful. I bought it mainly for dethatching. It really do a good job. It does not beat up the lawn like the bigger dethatcher. The grass looked good right after dethatching.
I am very surprised that it work very good for weeding, cultivating and digging holes for planting. I end up using it all the time.
tomplum
Original Author
15 years ago
Their little disclaimer was there was 4 at that price. Must be out ;). Amazon's good at playing the game. http://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B000FIY9MC shows it was as low as $229 . You can hook up an rss feed to that site if you want to watch for that after Christmas sale!
A few years back there were subtle differences between the Mantis and Echo. The handle for one. I'm unsure about now. The Echo rep said they bought the lower end from the Mantis people so the meat and potatoes are the same anyways.
BTW, I had a customer who had an electric- tho not Mantis. Maybe a Desa. I did some minor repair to it as I recall. Anyways, he really liked it for his little garden. Always starts and runs!
yungman
15 years ago
I know what you are talking about the price change of Amazon. I actually caught a sale on the Poulan front tine tiller. It was alway $399, one day, I check it was $299 and free shipping. I order right away. I got it. I check back after I order only a few hours later, it was back to $399!!! This is my pair of tillers. THe big one for breaking new grounds, the little one for detail work. I am putting in my garden, I am loving all those tillers!!

$249 for the 2 cycles are very good price. If anyone see that, should stock up one just in case!!! Or sell it back on ebay!!!

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