The electric is very simple to start...just plug it in and pull the
trigger. There is a sliding switch located above the trigger that you
use to control the speed. There are three speed levels. As for
maintenance, not much there either. Mantis recommends cleaning and
oiling the tines after each use. Also, the transmission needs to have
the grease level checked once a year. That's it. My only complaint
is that on a couple of occasions the handle brace came off as the nut
holding one of the bolts vibrated loose. An electric drill with a
socket took care of that one. :-) As for power, I had no problem
tilling the heavy clay soil we have here in southwest ohio...it was
kind of fun to watch. If I left the tiller in one spot too long, I
could see it descending as it dug itself in. I also suggest letting
it "rest" periodically, at lest if working in heavy (somewhat damp)
clay, as the clay cause the unit to run fairly hot. (Had the circuit
breaker trip a couple of times.) Not a problem there, as during the
rest times I also went indoors to cool off myself and have a some
water.
Craig

(HPBudlong) wrote in message ...
Hi, How do you plike your electric? I was thinking of trading my gas mantis in
for an electric - I always had problems in starting it ( although my husband
didn't - so it is probably just me Also I routinely found I intended to work
with it more and so ended up going through winter withough winterizing it and
so had problems.

Not being so young any more, I found I couldn't work in the garden for the
extended periods of time necessary to prepare my new beds, so if the electric
is easy to start I can use if for short spurts - and if it doesn't require
winterising or other preparation if it is going to stand for a while, I might
conssider the upgrade.

Helen