"Al Rhodes" wrote in message ...
I work an allotment with heavy clay, and find that they are no substitute
for winter digging,as
they don't go deep enough.But they are invaluable in spring , in order to
break up the ground
to get ready for sowing and planting.
"Norman Sandland" wrote in message
...
Every Spring I get a brochure for the Mantis Rotavator together with all
of
its bits and pieces - quite unsolicited (I must have ticked a box on
something years ago). It normally goes in the bin straight away. This
year,
I thought I would enquire if anyone has ever tried one of these beasts or
any other rotavator. I have always been a spade and fork man - grow all my
own veg., have an allotment and about a quarter acre garden. Now that I
am
coming up to 63 I thought I might explore further if rotavators are worth
their storage space let alone their costs.

The Mantis is light at 20lbs. Whilst it lightness is an advantage from the
point of view of carrying it, how is it heavy enough to dig in to produce
a
ten inch tilth. It also rotates at a high speed - twice as high as other
rotavators. I have always thought that these things chop the perennial
weeds
up so that you multiply the number of weeds that regrow!

Anyone with advice on this and other rotavators would be welcome to
express
a view.

Regards Norman



Hi Norman,
For what it is worth,points against the Mantis is that it works on two
stroke,so you have oil to put in,also it is used by walking backwards
with the machine following,it means you never tread on the tilth but
easy to fall over and bring the machine on top of you.
Points for - two of my allotment buddies have them and not heard any
complaints except sometimes hard to start.
I own and use quite often the small Honda FG 100 which is cheaper than
the mantis and works on normal unleaded petrol and has served me well.
Regards
Graham