zxcvbob wrote:

I have a Mantis tiller that I bought 12 years ago, and I hate it. It
only worked well for one season. I have lots of 2-cycle equipment, and
the Mantis tiller is the only one I have trouble with. Also, it was
just a little too light and bounced around a lot when I could get it to
run.

Last year I bought a little Honda 4-cycle tiller (model FG-100?), and it
is easy to start and is much easier to use than the Mantis. It is only
a couple of pounds heavier than the Mantis, but the extra weight makes a
big difference in the handling.

It has detachable transport wheels like a big front-tine tiller -- I
took them off of mine and I just carry the thing by the top handle, but
if it's too heavy for you to carry you can rool it around with the back
wheels.

Best regards,
Bob

Different view on the Mantis... I've had mine for 5 years and the thing
will dig up anything. I had to rebuild the carb last year but that's to
be expected. Starts the second pull ever time and I've yet to see
something it would go through. I put in a large set of walkways and a
20 foot diameter patio last year. I needed to dig 10" deep for the base,
item 4, stone dust, etc. The first 6" were nice topsoil and after that
it was somekind of crap about the consistancy of concrete with a *lot*
of rocks in it. The Mantis had absolutely no problem.

The only fault that I have with it is that it does tend to try and "kick
up" when it hits something like a root or rock. You pull it backward
versus going forward and gotta hang on to it.

--
Steve

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.
Autograph your work with excellence.