"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Others have said they have problems starting the
engine after a year or so, which makes me wonder if they did the type of
maintenance required of ANY yard equipment.

That's an important point. Many people don't even like to read the manuals.
Of course they are going to have problems starting the engine next season.

I enjoy the tough little mantis. I actually used it for the initial
breaking of the sod on my garden. It got grass tangled around the tines the
first time I tried it, but then I mowed the area short and the Mantis chewed
through the clay like a champ. It also pulled up some substantial sized
rocks out of the planting bed. I started piling them up next to the 20 x 30
garden area and will have a good amount of nice looking river rock for
decorating.

Mine still starts on the first pull. All it takes is a few minutes of
maintenance, from time to time.

Paul