You are welcome. I am surprised that it took me quite a few times to really get use to the Mantis. But once I get the hand of it, it really behave. I have a front tine tiller so I never have to use it on the untilled ground. Infact I bought it mainly for dethatching, everything else is bonus far as I concern and I am truely surprised how useful it is. I never try the edger. I don't think it will work very well because it turn too slow.( they have reduction gear to gain the torque for tilling, so it only spin about 200rpm max. It is not going to give a very clean cut.) I forgot to say. It is perfectly ok for the motor at hanging position, no worry about smoke and all. One more thing you might know already but I just going to repeat. When you are going to put it away for a few months during winter: 1) Empty the gas. 2) Position the unit so the primer bult facing up and prime to empty all the gas out inot the gas tank. Pour any excess gas out of the tank. 3) Close the choke and try starting it. It should start and run for a few second. This will empty most of the gas within the carb. 4) If you can, keep the choke close, squeeze the throtle all the way and pull a few more times to such the remaining gas out of the carb. With that, you can store the unit. Gas is the single thing that can clog the carb if left inside for long period. This apply to all other equipments also. I am a home owner and don't use my stuff all year long. I need to do this also. YOu should add StaBil gas stablizer( get it in Home Depot) in gas to keep it fresh. Change oil half the recommended period. Also check the gear case to make sure it is full of greese. Mantis forgot to put greese in my gear box and it jam 8 months down the road!!!! That is the time I really got good service. They just sent me a new gear box, no question asked!!! Recieved in 5 days and they arranged to pick up the old gear box few days later!!! I don't have to do anything and don't have to pay shipment. Don't be scare of the gear box, everyone is entitled to make a bobo!!! It is the support that matter. I would check the greese level in your gear box anyway. Easy, just 4 screws.....read the instruction.

Year and a half ago I started planning a big garden project with lots of clay soil. Don't like the smell or noise of gas powered machines. I also only weigh about 110lb. Got the electric Mantis. It has been truly amazing. I tilled the clay, adding hundreds of pounds of Gardener and Bloome compost. I then planted about 130 trees and shrubs. In addition to all the tilling it was great for digging the big planting holes. I had it going on average 6-7 hours per day for about 15 days. It came with a free edger, which I use to ease the sod removal process. I also got the dethatching and aerating attachements. They are surprisingly efficient. I also got these two little things you put over the axle to address the issue of weeds wraping around the axle. Used with and without. They really helped. I clean it well after each use and each spring you are to add lithium grease to the transmission. Takes a couple of minutes. I have no experience with the Stihl, but would not hesitate to recommend the electric Mantis.

Andrea... As several others have mentioned... Welcome to the Club! I spent quite a bit of money on some more expensive varieties last fall, and told my DH that I wouldn't need to buy any more plants. I said that with the newer varieties, I would be perfectly happy just start to start crossing my own. And I held out... I didn't order any other fans, didn't even look when people here started talking about sales. Then I had to put a special grouping together for my Mother last week. I was looking for specific DL's, and found them on Maryott's, Ridaught's, and Browns Ferry Gardens. All were having incredible sales, so OF COURSE IT WOULDN'T HURT TO LOOK.............. Mind you, I have almost 1 1/2 acres that is fully landscaped (and I mean FULLY... can't squeeze any more plants into any of my beds without removing something.) I do have a large area of lawn, but it is off limits as we are eventually planning on building our house there. And now somehow over the last week I have around 40 new DL's coming........don't know quite how it happened, but it's a done deal at this point. I guess that the woods are going to have to be pushed out a little bit further on one side or the other! The good thing is that I am lucky enough to have a DH that is wonderful as well (not quite as good as yours as I have to build my own beds :), but he's still a keeper ), and he just smiles at me and shakes his head. He is definitely not a gardner, but he still enjoys sharing at least my seedling beds because I am so excited about them. I don't know what I would do if he wasn't so tolerant of my addiction! Actually, I guess I would just have to do what a member on the rose forum once posted.....sneak out in the middle of the night to plant. After all, how is he going to notice one more plant more or less? :) Thank goodness it hasn't come to that ...............SO FAR........... Happy Planting! Julie

Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems! Remodels are one of the most stressful things you can go thru. I have done many and there are always something that will jump up and bite you! Just have to put your head down and be determined to slog thru it. Focus on what the finished product will be! As far as the contractor goes, my guess is he had more luctrative jobs come up and he is sending his help there. If is a company and he hired a sub to finish your cabinet install, I'd almost bet on it! If it were I, I would send him a note saying he has such and such a time to finish up the job or you will find someone else and deduct the cost from his final payment. I would also bill him for the issue with the microwave. He needs to know that you will give him a bad reference if the job is not finished to your satisfaction. Including contacting the BBB and any builders association in the area. I have never treated a client in this manner and I am appalled at the number of complaints about contractors in the Home forum. Let me assure you not all contractors are this negligent! Good luck with your project!