I'm thinking of acquiring a Mantis Tiller to make a vegetable plot in
the coming autumn and winter. Area is currently grassed (I wouldn't
grace it with the term 'lawn'), kept short, not too afflicted with
perennial weeds apart from daisies and the odd dandelion. Soil is
fairly light with a good selection of flints. Potential problem might
be a lot of tree roots spreading from the Council's arboricultural
efforts outside my fence. Anybody had experience with these machines
on breaking new ground? Mantis info indicates that it's possible but
they are trying to sell the machines!

"Jupiter" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of acquiring a Mantis Tiller to make a vegetable plot in
the coming autumn and winter. Area is currently grassed (I wouldn't
grace it with the term 'lawn'), kept short, not too afflicted with
perennial weeds apart from daisies and the odd dandelion. Soil is
fairly light with a good selection of flints. Potential problem might
be a lot of tree roots spreading from the Council's arboricultural
efforts outside my fence. Anybody had experience with these machines
on breaking new ground? Mantis info indicates that it's possible but
they are trying to sell the machines!



I have used it to cut new ground in a lawn. It worked quite well but you
will need to cut the grass really short beforehand and then go over it
several times to really loosen up the soil and to mulch the grass in.

It can bounce around quite a bit a to start with so watch your toes and when
it does hit large stones or roots it does stop but smaller roots are
generally sliced up quite easily.

The only problem I've had was the throttle handle falling off, I managed to
get it back together but it's not 100% right as I have to pull the cable a
bit to get it upto full running speed. It's still under warranty so I might
get onto Mantis and see what they say.

Hope this helps.

Roger

On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 15:09:40 +0000 (UTC), "Roger Hembury"
wrote:


"Jupiter" wrote in message
.. .
I'm thinking of acquiring a Mantis Tiller to make a vegetable plot in
the coming autumn and winter. Area is currently grassed (I wouldn't
grace it with the term 'lawn'), kept short, not too afflicted with
perennial weeds apart from daisies and the odd dandelion. Soil is
fairly light with a good selection of flints. Potential problem might
be a lot of tree roots spreading from the Council's arboricultural
efforts outside my fence. Anybody had experience with these machines
on breaking new ground? Mantis info indicates that it's possible but
they are trying to sell the machines!



I have used it to cut new ground in a lawn. It worked quite well but you
will need to cut the grass really short beforehand and then go over it
several times to really loosen up the soil and to mulch the grass in.

It can bounce around quite a bit a to start with so watch your toes and when
it does hit large stones or roots it does stop but smaller roots are
generally sliced up quite easily.

The only problem I've had was the throttle handle falling off, I managed to
get it back together but it's not 100% right as I have to pull the cable a
bit to get it upto full running speed. It's still under warranty so I might
get onto Mantis and see what they say.

Hope this helps.

Roger


Thanks, that's very helpful. I don't really want to go for a bigger
machine because once the plot's made it'll be a matter of maintenance
which a Mantis should be able to handle well, and they seem small
enough to work in existing planted flower beds with care.

"Jupiter" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 15:09:40 +0000 (UTC), "Roger Hembury"
wrote:


"Jupiter" wrote in message
. ..
I'm thinking of acquiring a Mantis Tiller to make a vegetable plot in
the coming autumn and winter. Area is currently grassed (I wouldn't
grace it with the term 'lawn'), kept short, not too afflicted with
perennial weeds apart from daisies and the odd dandelion. Soil is
fairly light with a good selection of flints. Potential problem might
be a lot of tree roots spreading from the Council's arboricultural
efforts outside my fence. Anybody had experience with these machines
on breaking new ground? Mantis info indicates that it's possible but
they are trying to sell the machines!



I have used it to cut new ground in a lawn. It worked quite well but you
will need to cut the grass really short beforehand and then go over it
several times to really loosen up the soil and to mulch the grass in.

It can bounce around quite a bit a to start with so watch your toes and
when
it does hit large stones or roots it does stop but smaller roots are
generally sliced up quite easily.

The only problem I've had was the throttle handle falling off, I managed
to
get it back together but it's not 100% right as I have to pull the cable a
bit to get it upto full running speed. It's still under warranty so I
might
get onto Mantis and see what they say.

Hope this helps.

Roger


Thanks, that's very helpful. I don't really want to go for a bigger
machine because once the plot's made it'll be a matter of maintenance
which a Mantis should be able to handle well, and they seem small
enough to work in existing planted flower beds with care.


I asked a similar question last year about a Mantis, I have one now and love
it. Such a great tool for our garden.
Its been let out a few times and it always gets a positive comment when
returned.
Steve
The UK SpeedTrap Guide" @ www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk
The UK Weather Guide" @ www.ukstorms.com

On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 15:09:40 +0000 (UTC), "Roger Hembury"
wrote:


"Jupiter" wrote in message
. ..
I'm thinking of acquiring a Mantis Tiller to make a vegetable plot in
the coming autumn and winter. Area is currently grassed (I wouldn't
grace it with the term 'lawn'), kept short, not too afflicted with
perennial weeds apart from daisies and the odd dandelion. Soil is
fairly light with a good selection of flints. Potential problem might
be a lot of tree roots spreading from the Council's arboricultural
efforts outside my fence. Anybody had experience with these machines
on breaking new ground? Mantis info indicates that it's possible but
they are trying to sell the machines!



I have used it to cut new ground in a lawn. It worked quite well but you
will need to cut the grass really short beforehand and then go over it
several times to really loosen up the soil and to mulch the grass in.

It can bounce around quite a bit a to start with so watch your toes and
when
it does hit large stones or roots it does stop but smaller roots are
generally sliced up quite easily.

The only problem I've had was the throttle handle falling off, I managed
to
get it back together but it's not 100% right as I have to pull the cable a
bit to get it upto full running speed. It's still under warranty so I
might
get onto Mantis and see what they say.

Hope this helps.

Roger


Thanks, that's very helpful. I don't really want to go for a bigger
machine because once the plot's made it'll be a matter of maintenance
which a Mantis should be able to handle well, and they seem small
enough to work in existing planted flower beds with care.


Why not hire a bigger machine ?

Hazel

On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 20:51:52 GMT, "Hazel" wrote:


On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 15:09:40 +0000 (UTC), "Roger Hembury"
wrote:


"Jupiter" wrote in message
...
I'm thinking of acquiring a Mantis Tiller to make a vegetable plot in
the coming autumn and winter. Area is currently grassed (I wouldn't
grace it with the term 'lawn'), kept short, not too afflicted with
perennial weeds apart from daisies and the odd dandelion. Soil is
fairly light with a good selection of flints. Potential problem might
be a lot of tree roots spreading from the Council's arboricultural
efforts outside my fence. Anybody had experience with these machines
on breaking new ground? Mantis info indicates that it's possible but
they are trying to sell the machines!



I have used it to cut new ground in a lawn. It worked quite well but you
will need to cut the grass really short beforehand and then go over it
several times to really loosen up the soil and to mulch the grass in.

It can bounce around quite a bit a to start with so watch your toes and
when
it does hit large stones or roots it does stop but smaller roots are
generally sliced up quite easily.

The only problem I've had was the throttle handle falling off, I managed
to
get it back together but it's not 100% right as I have to pull the cable a
bit to get it upto full running speed. It's still under warranty so I
might
get onto Mantis and see what they say.

Hope this helps.

Roger


Thanks, that's very helpful. I don't really want to go for a bigger
machine because once the plot's made it'll be a matter of maintenance
which a Mantis should be able to handle well, and they seem small
enough to work in existing planted flower beds with care.


Why not hire a bigger machine ?

Hazel


It's a thought, but they're quite expensive to hire. Might be better
to buy one of these cheap old bangers that abound on eBay then sell it
again.