I do not like them.too much money for too little, have a look at garden lines ,they have one with a briggs straten 4stroke 147cc engin working with38cm and 25cm depth. for less money and free delivery, briggs straten is one of the best engins on the market,

I agree with Cliffo regarding the engine. I used to have a MerryTiller many years ago and the Briggs and Stratton motor was brilliant. I know nothing about the Mantis.

Oh lord that was over 30 years ago...

Ha BA I had one about 45 years ago , so they have stood the test of time ,it's a yanky engin, I had the profesional merritiller,and it paid for its self, doing landscaping part time,

I would heartily recommend a Mantis tiller for clay soil. I have one and I have clay soil and I wouldn't have anything else. It is FANTASTIC. I'm also a small engine mechanic and have worked on many tillers of different types.

The motor on the Mantis is a 2 cycle motor which means you will have to mix your petrol with 2 cycle oil for lubrication. That means no crankcase oil to spill or change. The motor is made by Koritz which is a Japanese company and the company that makes Echo products. They come with a 5 year consumer warranty usually. The Echo 2 cycle motors are some of THE best on the market. Their emissions regularly exceed the standards recommended by environmental agencies. They will run about 500 hours before they even BEGIN to show signs of wear. The pistons are double ringed ..... not common in 2 cycles...and the cylinders are coated for extended life. The crankshaft is balanced and has bearings at both ends unlike a lot of 2 cycle motors on the market these days. The clearances in the cylinder are so tight that there is no problem with slap...... ever. Motor parts are readily accessible from any dealer who sells either Mantis or Echo.

Because the motor is a 2 cycle, you are getting a lot of power for the size. The motor runs faster than a 4 cycle and sends more power down the crankshaft.

This little tiller will make short work of your clay soil. If you let it, it will bury itself it digs so deep. Larger 4 cycle tillers will turn your soil but tend to leave fairly big chunks to break up by hand. The Mantis will till to a lovely fine texture. Depending on which way your tines are installed you can till deeply or just cultivate to 3 inches or so. Your operators manual will explain which way is which. Tines are easy to remove for cleaning and switching around or switching with other Mantis tiller accessories such as the power rake and edger etc.

The tiller itself is lightweight and easy to use. I don't know if you are male or female but as a female myself I much prefer the Mantis or Echo tiller over trying to fight with the heavy 4 cycles. It is narrow...I believe it is about 12 inches in width...I'd have to go and check mine.....If you have a really large plot then it will take you a bit longer to till but it also has the advantage of being able to fit inbetween your vegetable rows for cultivating.

The only disadvantage I have found with the Mantis is that if the tiller itself needs a replacement part then a lot of times there is a "kit" to replace it with. In other words, if you need a new throttle lever then you have to buy the kit with the lever and throttle cable instead of just being able to buy the lever. Having said that, I've never had to repair anything on my tiller and I've had it 4 years now. I'm going by work I've done on other people's machines.

This is a 2 cycle motor and as such will need regular care and maintenance to run well. Leaving the tiller unused for months on end with petrol in the tank will end up clogging the pin prick size passages in your carburetor with gum and varnish and rotting out your small fuel lines....this goes for chain saws and strimmers too. Using the wrong fuel/oil mix (i.e. without enough oil in the mix) or using a poor quality 2 cycle oil can result in disastrous results to your motor....(seized piston, scored cylinder, blown motor etc). So a little more care and attention has to be taken with a 2 cycle over a cheaper 4 cycle such as the Briggs. In my opinion it is well worth the extra effort.

Cliffo and BA...Briggs motors are good and very reliable. They "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'" as the saying goes. They aren't the best made motors...especially the newer ones but they are affordable and unshakable. However, for a smaller lightweight tiller nothing beats this Mantis. You just can't imagine unless you have tried one out.

I would recommend getting the Mantis with the 2-cycle motor over the Mantis with the little 4-cycle Honda that they are making now ... Speaking as a mechanic....they just haven't got these little 4 cycles perfected to run with the tiny diaphragm carburetors yet. They have too many problems and are too finicky. They are more trouble than they are worth.....Go with the 2 cycle and mix your fuel....you'll be much happier.

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Oh gosh, what have I started! Please don't make my question the reason for people falling out, life's too short. At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their opinion, that doesn't make it right or wrong, just different.
Sorry Gilli, and thanks for the very comprehensive reply. I didn't expect Cliffo to get so uptight. Cliffo, please appreciate that Gilli and others are only trying to help. Just because their opinion or experience is different to yours doesn't make it wrong.

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I can follow all you are saying Gilli. It is easy to say our old machines like the Clifford's, Ransom Jeff and Sims, Hayter and Atco all had the conventional carburretor, against the diaphram types. It makes a lot of difference these days, also with our lead free petrol which should not be used after 30 days. With metal tanks it paid to leave them full of petrol to prevent rust. Now we leave the plastic ones empty to stop the clogging etc.. The double ringed pistons with a scraper is also a big improvement. But overall it is the weight of the machines of today, easy to lift and transport. It is up to you Superscouse, look around to see what others are using in your area and ask them for advice.

I agree with all that Doctorbob, but shorly in four strokes they were allways doubled ringed and with an oil ring, two strokes were not that is why they took about six pulls rather that the one that four strokes took.but may be you used ones that I did not, but the brigs straton as allways stud out as a relierbel moter,thanks for your input

Yes Cliffo, Briggs & Stratton has a lot going for it, so did Villiers, but I did not go much on the Kohow, our mixtures were with lube oil S A E 20/30 and oiled up quickly, the Allen scythe had a measure in the petrol tank cap. Many hours were spent drying out plugs.

yes my new mower isSAE20/30 and of corse at least for the guarente I will use that but oils have changed and most engins large and small now use 10/40, because that has improved so much it is replaceing most oils,

Cliffo.....please don't be so disagreeable and insulting. There is no call for your comment. Why do you think that I don't know what I'm talking about? Why do you assume that your experience is better than mine? I worked on these types of engines for a living and I too, am offering an opinion from MY experience and KNOWLEDGE. I shouldn't have to prove my credentials to answer a simple question but I can guarantee I've worked on more small motors than you have. I am a Master Service Technician for Kohler motors, I graduated from University with the highest marks of all the different mechanical trades and as the only woman to ever do so. I also OWN one of these tillers...giving me experience with its use. We arent' discussing a lawn mower....in which case I would agree about not wanting a 2-cycle. We are discussing a small tiller. I also own a heavier rear tine tiller with a 4 cycle engine. And, in case you didn't know Cliffo...4 strokes HAD to have 2 rings and an oil ring to scrape the excess oil out of the cylinder and allow for good compression. Now,....Any more remarks like the above and I will be making a complaint.

Scouse, I'm so sorry Cliffo wants to turn this into a 3 ring circus. I'm not trying to sell you anything....I am simply giving you the benefit of my knowledge and experience. Just because I'm female doesn't mean I'm talking out of my hat. Good luck with your decision. If you get a chance to try one of these little tillers out before you purchase I would recommend doing just that. That way you will be able to see for yourself if it is what you want and need.

I am sorry if I gave you the impresion that I looked down on you because you are a woman, I do not think like that, and infact I was not aware that you were a woman, not that it would have changed what I said, I have close frends in the motor industry ,and for the last five years I have helped a frend out who has owened a large repair shop for the last eighteen years and repairs any make of car van or wagon, I sent him a coppy of what you said ,and he agreed with what I had said,also the engins on my boat are V4 90 4 stroke out board and a 10hp 2 stroke as a spair , for five years I have never had the least problem with the 4stroke and belive me at sea you need reliability. then this after noon I had a talk with a frend whos busness is only four and two strocks he dose all the engins on peoples boats and barges for miles, and he laughed at what you said,I am shore that you are a very intelagent and nice person, but there is no subtetut for experance,have a grate christmas and a realy good year,

I will add my experience. Hubby bought a 4 stroke tiller 5yrs ago and after problems with it he got rid and got a 2 stroke mantis. As a mere female that learnt how to rebuild BSA bantam engines I felt at home with this. Hubby also likes it as he services it [wont trust me too {abit of an mcp but i love him} incase I do it wrong] In fcat he has lent it to a colleague of his who has an allotment, I must see if I can get it back.

Cliffo, I see you are doing what you do best....upsetting people !!

Cliffo.....I'm not saying another thing.....DROP IT...NOW!!
You are still being insulting and offensive and I am not about to argue..although there is an awful lot I could say about your last post and your "experienced" friends.

Scouse, I am sorry your question has been hijacked in the way it has - I'd like to say it wasn't normal but, sadly it does happen. You've been given a lot of good advice, especially Gilli's suggestion that you try the tiller if possible before you buy. Mr MB's and my experience is over 30 years old so Gilli's info is far more relevant. Good luck and don't let this put you off Goy.

Gilli one word 'flagging'

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Cliffo, you were a painter and decorator, and as you once famously said on another thread " each to his trade".

Cliffo, see if you can get yourself accepted for Charm classes after Christmas...there must be somewhere local ?

Goodwill to all men. God bless you all.

Hi Doctorbob, you are right I did say that but you flatter me I dont think that I have ever said any thing that was famous, but have you no knowlage outside your traid,and with your experance you must have seen the remark about the piston rings,, yes BA I agree but some people think that being strate ,is causing truble and perposly trying to put people down ,it's not ,it's being strate,

I was going to add my thought on your comments Cliffo but the guidelines of this forum deny me the opportunity.

Me too Ian... flag, flag, flag!

Whats happened to the seasonal "good will" to all men (and women) !!!!!

Good question Alice

Oh don't worry MG it's well and truly flagged.

Merry Christmas...on earth....peace :o)

Good Ian

VERY good Ian!!

It would have been nicer if it wasn't needed!

Indeed another informative blog spoiled for GoYpedia

Thankyou for that very full answer Gilli. It sounds like just the the sort of tool I could manage, as we have an old Howard which I cannot manage. Cliffo said he only read one third of your article yet he based his opinion on this.
Are there no moderators on this forum?

Hi Heather yes there are moderators but they are probably celebrating the season and don't realise there is a problem. This question, or some of the answers, have been well and truly flagged to them and I hope we wil have resolution soon.

Meantime you could also flag the offending bits and send them a message if you so felt like.

Isn't it a shame that after all the unrest experienced on the forum in recent months...that, at this time of goodwill and bonhamie (sorry wrong spelling) that someone has to TRY to hijac our forum. I feel that members who persist in causing unrest should be banned from the forum. I trust we will have a wonderful 2010 without any childish quarrels..."onwards and upwards".xxxx

From endeavor towards the sun. Lou

Alice I can only agree...

agree too amblealice. It is such an interesting question too.

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I am not sure I ever want to ask a question on this site again. As a recently joined member, I expected the forum to be light hearted and informative with the odd well mannered difference of opinion. After all, that is what makes gardening and life so interesting, it is all shades of grey.
I wish you all well for 2010.
Happy gardening!

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Scouse I can only say that Cliffo is the exception to the rule round here.

Cliffo, Gilli is from the UK she happens to live in Canada now as does my sister and her family. Knock it off we are all sick of this... Gilli does know what she is talking about. I am sorry you have had such a distressing Christmas but it is no excuse for your behaviour.