Posted by Homer on August 4th, 2008 — Posted in Gardening
Gardening Reviews is a site that provides reviews for gardening products and tools. They offer special deals on Mantis gardening products through links on their site. You can also read reviews of the Mantis Tiller, a great lightweight tiller, that is becoming very popular for the home and organic gardeners. There is a review of the Mantis Compost Tumbler that provides a step-by-step guide to compost and a video of the Mantis Compost Twin at work.
We have Added videos to our site. I will be adding videos about garden tillers as we get them.
Here is a good one on a small mantis garden tiller. For the size garden this guy has he could actually have used a bigger garden tiller but it still got the job done. We do not recommend disconnecting the switch like he did.
This tiller has made gardening easier for millions, the Mantis Tiller was originally designed to help professional landscapers get their jobs done more quickly.
The unit’s durable, 20-pound tiller is a favorite of home gardeners all over the world. A reliable, easy-to-start engine features a true commercial-grade design with pushbutton priming for quick, easy starts, time after time.
Equipped with a throttle-activated centrifugal clutch, the tines engage only when the throttle is squeezed, for more control and no threat of the runaway tiller. The unit’s compact design makes it easy to till in tight quarters, flush with garage walls, inside raised garden beds, and snugly into sharp corners. And, at just 20 pounds, the Mantis weighs less than other tillers with no sacrifice in power.
A 10-inch tilling depth means deeper working soil for healthier gardens. With the tiller revolving at 240 rpm, the tines make fast work of many gardening chores, easily cultivating or weeding a 30-by-40-foot garden in 20 minutes. Best of all, a patented, reversible serpentine pattern helps the Mantis dig deep into even the hardest soil, instead of bouncing around with no effect as inferior models do. Mantis covers the tines with a lifetime guarantee.
Customer Reviews
Electric refurbished model
I am not one to write reviews, but i was so impressed with this tiller that i had to. I don’t know how i gardened so long without it. It is excellent at seed bed prep. One pass is all it takes. It just pulverized the soil in my raised beds. I also tried it in my wifes flower bed (i was looking for places to play with it)it did just as well in the rocky root strewn soil. It spit rocks out behind it and ground up 3/8 inch roots. It has a lot of tourqe for an electric motor. It is quiet of course. I checked all the different brands before buying the Mantis. I think it is the best value with the warranty etc. Mine came with the edger but i haven’t tried it yet. I also just ordered the aerator.
I would suggest it even for large gardens because of the seed bed prep and the tilling depth. 10 inches easy.
small garden tiller
The mantis does very well for what it is intended. It’s a lightweight tiller and is excellent for small gardens. I have a small lot in an urban setting and I could use this tiller at 4 o’clock in the morning and my neighbors wouldn’t know it. The electric motor is that quiet.
Don’t expect it to till a field the size of a commercial garden it’s too small and would take you forever.
Mantis electric tiler
Very easy to use. It’s a real workhorse. I am pleased with it.
Posted by Homer on April 6th, 2007 — Posted in Uncategorized
Garden Tiller Maintenance
by Mike D Tucker
Well it is that time of year again and you are getting ready to plant your garden. As you dig your garden tiller out of the corner of the garage you notice it is full of cobwebs. Looks like you will have to perform some garden tiller maintenance.
So what sort of maintenance do you have to do before starting up your garden tiller for the first time? A lot has to do with the way you prepared your garden tiller for the winter storage. If you drained the fuel or added Sta-Bil to the gasoline you are in better shape than most people.
First it is always recommended that you follow the manufactures guidance. This procedure should be used as a general guideline.
The first thin I always do is give my garden tiller a good washing to get the dust off of it. Next for safety I pull the spark plug wire off. If you did not drain your fuel you will have to now. The best way is to remove the fuel line from the tank and let it drain outside away from anything electrical. Including your cell phone.
Some carburetors have a spring loaded drain on the bottom of the float bowl. If yours has one hold a rag underneath the drain and press in letting the gas drain into the rag. If you have an inline fuel filter it should also be checked or replaced at this time.
Next you will want to clean the air filter. Your garden tiller operates in dusty conditions so it is very important to keep your air filter clean. If you garden tiller has a 2 stage filter remove the both and tap the paper inner filter on the ground to shake out any dirt. Take the foam outer filter and wash it with soap and water. Let it dry thoroughly the re-oil it. Placing it in a plastic bag and adding a little light motor oil, work it into the foam and remove can do this.
Now we move on to the spark plug. Remove it and replace it with the same number that is on the old one. Make sure you check the spark plug gap and set it before re-installing. Most are pre-set from the manufacture but it never hurts to check. You should also place a small amount of ant seize compound on the threads of the spark plug before installing.
Make sure you do not have any gasoline or oil anywhere on your garden till that you may have spilled while working on it. If you do make sure it is completely cleaned off before attempting to start your motor. You can now re-connect you spark plug wire.
Add fresh fuel and check your oil level. Check for leaks. If everything looks good your garden tiller is ready to fire up. Start it and let it warm up. Shut it off and double check for leaks and oil level. If everything looks good your garden tiller is ready for use.
Garden Tiller – What Type Do You Need
by Mike D Tucker
Well it’s that time of year again to start busting up your garden soil and start your planting. How you do that is up to you. If you need the exercise or have a very small garden you could always do it by hand.
To save your back and knees you could go with a stand up manual garden till like the famous garden weasel. It is cheap and easy to use.
For medium or large gardens you are going to need a garden tiller with a little more power than your arms. So what type of tiller do you buy?
If you have a smaller or confined garden you will want to go with something maneuverable like an electric mini tiller or cultivator. Or maybe a small 2hp gas model. Most of them are lightweight and very easy to handle. Cost on them is reasonable too for the amount of work they will save you.
One of the biggest pluses for a small garden till is that it uses less storage space. If you buy one with folding handles you can save even more room. A word of warning though, I would not recommend using a small garden tiller to start a new garden where the soil has never been broken up before. You will need something a little more heavy duty to cultivate your soil for the first time.
Renting a large heavy-duty garden tiller the first year to bust up your soil and then get a small tiller for maintenance and cultivating the following year.
Front tine vs. rear tine
The best purpose for a front tine tiller is maintaining soil that has been cultivated before. Start out the first time with a rear tine tiller.
Rear tine tillers are easy to handle and maneuver. They will pretty much turn on a dime when needed and require much less effort from the operator. The majority of rear tine tillers can handle any garden job that you require from them.
What Brand To Buy
There are many different brand names in the garden tiller business. Some of the better known garden tiller brands are, Troy Bilt Garden tillers, Mantis Tillers, Honda Tillers, Husqvarna Garden Tillers, Craftsman Tillers, and MTD Tillers. Prices and models vary a lot so the best thing you can do is shop around and compare after you have decided on what type you need for your garden.
If you are a vegetable garden grower I recently read a book called vegetable garden secrets that is going to change the way I garden. I highly recommend it. You can find it on our site.
The Poulan Pro 6.5-horsepower rear tine tiller is a professional grade tiller with dual rotating 17-inch tines and tough 13-inch lug tires for better traction. The powerful 5.5-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine offers plenty of tilling power, and features an Intek Overhead Valve (OHV) for a cooler running and fuel efficient engine. The tiller also comes with a 7-position spring-loaded depth stake for precision tilling and is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
This tiller has made gardening easier for millions, the Mantis Tiller was originally designed to help professional landscapers get their jobs done more quickly.
The unit’s durable, 20-pound tiller is a favorite of home gardeners all over the world. A reliable, easy-to-start engine features a true commercial-grade design with pushbutton priming for quick, easy starts, time after time.
The Garden Weasel gold garden claw cultivator is designed to break up hard-packed soil, aerating your lawn and garden. Aeration can greatly increase irrigation efficiency, enabling you to get the most out of your watering.
Made of electro-coated steel, the cultivator boasts a patented claw head with six angled tines designed to break up and crumble soil. The product lives up to its name, featuring sparkly vinyl grips on the curved handlebars and glittering gold paint on the claw head.
Useful not just for aerating, the Claw can also uproot weeds, blend fertilizers, and even mix compost. The Claw features four adjustable height settings. It requires only a few minutes for assembly. A limited lifetime warranty is included
Ryobi Gas Powered Factory Reconditioned Tiller/Cultivator - Factory Reconditioned
This Ryobi® gas powered cultivator has been engineered and
manufactured to Ryobi’s high standard for dependability, ease of operation and operator safety. The tiller/cultivator can be used to break up garden soil and prepare a seedbed for planting. Ideal for large and small gardens. Factory Reconditioned with a 1 Year Factory Warranty
Powerful 12 amp motor for breaking sod and finely cultivating beds. Folding handle for easy storage. Durable construction for use in rugged environments, 20% more output torque than comparable gas mini-tillers, quick flip wheels molded carrying handling for easy transport, 10″ tilling width and 9″ tilling depth, low sound level for environmentally friendly operation, extension cord lock, product weight 28 lbs. and Two year warranty. Shipping Size 18.00 x 17.50 x 28.00
Price: $208.51
Features
Powerful 12-amp electric motor means quieter, cleaner operations
More output torque than comparable gas mini-tillers
Quick flip wheels for easy transportation and storage
Hand Garden Tiller Set - The Rumford Gardener Essex Tool Set
For First Time Or Small Gardens This Is A Great Hand Tiller Set
The Rumford Gardener Essex tool set is a perfect gift for the beginning gardener or a much-appreciated upgrade for the experienced green thumb. This handsome set brings together four of the most-used tools in the garden. It includes a fork for aerating beds and loosening soil, plus two different-size trowels for digging planting holes. The transplanter has a narrow profile that’s idea for flowerpots, planters, and other confined spaces. Each tool is made from rust-resistant stainless steel with traditional stained hardwood handles for a look as elegant as the cutlery on your table. Rustic leather thongs loop through each handle to facilitate hanging for storage.
The Yard Machines 2-Cycle 1 HP Cultivator is a handy solution for your tilling needs with its 8-inch heat-treated steel tines and plow-type handle that gives you added control. EZ-pull starting and a maintenance-free heavy-duty gearbox eliminate frustration, and you can adjust the width of the tines from 6 to 10-1/4 inches. This cultivator is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
The Garden Weasel gold garden claw cultivator is designed to break up hard-packed soil, aerating your lawn and garden. Aeration can greatly increase irrigation efficiency, enabling you to get the most out of your watering.
