Mantis 2-cycle mini tiller/cultivator

[Termy]

Mantis 2-cycle mini tiller/cultivator

http://www.veseys.com/images/products/large/3272.jpg

Almost everybody you know has a garden, and some like to have vegetable gardens. To make the ground fertile for planting, sometimes you have to till it and even more so if you have clay soil! People run into issues when they just want a small perennial or vegetable garden because they are running full size tillers and they can’t move them around properly to till the garden because they have no room! With the size of the Mantis tiller, you can get into the smallest of places and with all the attachments they make for the tiller; you can’t go wrong at any rate! In this review, I will explain why this is such a great tiller!

The Mantis tiller uses a 2-cycle 21cc commercial engine; though you may think that is not a lot of power, wait till you see it in action! This engine is not hard to start at all, but for those who have a hard time starting 2-cycle engines, Mantis makes a easy start kits for these tillers. This engine likes a 50:1 oil ratio that translates to 2.6 ounces of 2-cycle oil with 1 gallon of gas. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about that because Mantis sells a 2-cycle “handy item kit” that includes 6 bottles of pre measured oil, 2 air filters, 1 sparkplug, 1 transmition gasket, and 2 cotter pins. Handy item kits are sold for $20.00

When I use my Mantis tiller, I use a forward and reverse motion like using a vacuum cleaner. This allows the tines to dig into the ground easier and better. I noticed the tiller had some trouble when going through some grass that was growing through the garden; it wanted to pop up and down on the surface. I find if you give it 1/4 throttle the tines will dig into the soil better. Then you can give it full throttle to really break it up and finish the job. We have al lot of clay soil over here so it really puts this tiller to the test and I have to say it did a pretty good job! However, I find that this tiller is not really great for starting new gardens where you have to dig through heavy sod, use a full size tiller for that.

Did you know that Mantis makes many different attachments for the Mantis tiller? The attachments are always easy to install, all you have to do is remove the cotter pins on the tines, remove the tines, put the new attachment on, and install the cotter pins. The border edger attachment comes with every purchase of a Mantis tiller however, other attachments do not. I purchased the dethatcher attachment to dethatch my lawn and I have to say that it did a really good job! It is made up of 60 steel spring picks that turn and dig out the thatch! They make the following attachments for the Mantis tiller…

Planter/Furrower
Border Edger
Lawn Aerator
Lawn Dethatcher
Aerator/Dethatcher Combination
Crevice Cleaner
24" or 30" Trimmer Bars
Wheel Set
Plow Attachment

This tiller retails for $350.00 brand new but as you can see, it is well worth the cost when you consider what it can do. This tiller only weighs 20 pounds, so that means anybody can use this! Because of its size, it allows you to get into small places that a full size tiller cannot! This engine is easy to start, but for those who have trouble started 2-cycles, Mantis makes a easy start kit. You don’t have to worry about mixing oil with gas so much because Mantis sells handy item kits for your Mantis that includes pre measured oil and other stuff for your tiller! This tiller does a great job tilling, but seems to have some trouble tilling through grass. And even though it does such a great job, this just cannot be used to start a brand new garden through heavy sod! There are many attachments that Mantis makes for your tiller that can allow you to do all your gardening and lawn needs! Go out there and buy yourself a Mantis!

Date Purchased: 04/01/06
Price Paid: $20.00 [retail $350.00]
Recommend: Yes

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/Terminator20/4-STAR.jpg

[BigAllis]

termy i have a mantis tiller and have bar for hedge trimmin havent used it for tillin or trimmin yet i got it last year out of barn we were tearin dwn guy tht we did wrk for was goin throw it in dumpster sd cld have it the trimmer attachmnts still in box i goin take the mantis too guy round corner tht works on mowersn things hes goin getr it runnin n for me i ve heard thy are great lil machine cant wait try it i have a honda tiller like new my older nghbr give me tht he got from honda dealer he wrked as mech for hed used it cple times never got paint off tines it wrks good and is narrow but still lil big for up against house flower beds so mantis shld be better

[jerry_nj]

Termy,

Your write-up on the Mantis reads a bit like a professional advertisement, but... does it still contain a review by someone's experience that doesn't have a profit incentive behind it?

I did get a sales postcard on the Mantis a few days back and it got me thinking again about buying a small cultivator (Mantis or other) The edge trimmer/edger (for cutting lawn around beds and walkways I assume) makes the price more agreable. The price is in the professional tool range, I believe the "Still" (isn't spelled that way, but sounds that way) is about the same price at my local garden store, which not known for low prices on tools (then too the tools are of good/better quality).

[kubotachick]

Yup, that was a total sales pitch, I wish i could sell like that!

[jerry_nj]

I don't have a "real problem" with the post(s) by TERMY, but I had expected inputs from just us guys and gals who buy and use the stuff... maybe we research a bit too. I would not like to see such posts on (most) other forums, but this is the "Equipment Review Forum", so it may work here.

Still looking for inputs form other hands-on experience with any/all brand mini-cultivators. Is there a better place to look on The Tractor Forum group? Also, is there a search tool on the group of forums? It would be nice to be able to input a "brand name" or "tool type" into a search and have the results show threads that talk about those search items.

[Termy]

If you read all my reviews in the forum you will see that they all read about the same. When you write a review you must do it right! This means that you must have a introduction paragraph and it might contain content that makes you think I am a sales man but I am not, I just know how to write a intro paragraph. Then the other thing you have to do is make sure you cover all the possible features a machine may have, if that looks like a sales pitch, well I am sorry. At the same time, it also helps to give people information on the proper use of a product so that way if they buy the product, they will know how to use it.

Yes, I can see how I could easily be a sales man cause I guess I have the gift. But I am no sales man and I have no incentive profit margin behind the comments made. If you are going to write an review, you must do it right! And a short little one paragragh review that explains no features is not going to do that! :banghead3

PS: Ya, I own every dam piece of equipment I have written a review for...

[kubotachick]

Hey man, i was giving you a compliment. I thought it was a very well constructed and thought out piece. I am envious of your abilities!! Don't get me wrong, I sell stuff for a living and some people have the talent and some people don't (me for instance, but i'm keeping the job, i need the insurance).

I say bravo, to hell with the rest.

[Termy]

Thank you for your comments KubotaChick however my last post was not being targeted to you, but thanks anyway. I am a little irritated by the comments from jerry_nj. He said the following... I had expected inputs from just us guys and gals who buy and use the stuff...

Gee, if anyone really knew me they would know I buy allot of crap and I usually review them all. In other words, he is implying that I don't own the crap I review and I am just promoting the product! :00000060:

Again, thanks for your comments KubotaChick! I like the fact that you are in the business of lawncare, its a good profession and its fun to do. Agreed, being my own boss is allot better than always being told what to do and having to listen to over baring BS. ROF

[jerry_nj]

Well, Termy, excuse me if I in my view you don't come across as one of the guys and gals who buy and use various "tractor forum" equipment. For example, how many of us have anything like "The Termy Factor" web site? None I'd bet.

I did appreciate your in-use evaluation and how to get the most out of the unit, but the full product description, which is helpful if one is at the point of considering that specific equipment, isn't what I (many of us) would be looking for. I'd have found the post much more helpful if it had attracted a number of reviews of various products by people who bought and used them.

[Ken N Tx]

Well, Termy, excuse me if I in my view you don't come across as one of the guys and gals who buy and use various "tractor forum" equipment. For example, how many of us have anything like "The Termy Factor" web site? None I'd bet.

I did appreciate your in-use evaluation and how to get the most out of the unit, but the full product description, which is helpful if one is at the point of considering that specific equipment, isn't what I (many of us) would be looking for. I'd have found the post much more helpful if it had attracted a number of reviews of various products by people who bought and used them.


I for one find Termy's posts very useful and informative! :thanku:

My wife and have been looking at the Mantis for her garden and the flower beds. We have been following all of Termy's posts on the subject!!

[jerry_nj]

Ken,

We look forward to your experience, regardless of what unit you purchase, the more makes tested the better.

[Robert M]

Did you know that Echo makes the engine? If you BREAK a set of tiller tines they are lifetime warrantied. Don't get your hopes up I've never broken a set and neither has my brother and we abuse ours. Mines got to be at least 15 years old.

As far as i know all the echo tiller parts will interchange with Mantis.

[HydroHarold]

"Price Paid: $20.00 [retail $350.00]"

SOLD! At that price send me a few right away as I'm still using the tiller/cultivator attachment for my Ryobi string trimmer... 10th year, no problems. Somehow though, I just can't see a "plow" on a Mantis sized tiller... :)

[williet]

I use the Mantis / Honda, 4 cyc. I love it.

[shimp]

I use the Mantis / Honda, 4 cyc. I love it.

i have the honda 4 stroke also

[jerry_nj]

Williet,
Shimp,

Tell us something about how you use these small cultivators, e.g., to turn under weeds in a vegetable garden... I'm not saying that's what they're for, just a reason I would buy one if it is effective at that task. How about preparing the ground for seeding peas and beans, i.e., rototilling? I'm not talking about breaking through rock and sod, just turning over soil that has been used in past years. What other tasks can it be used for that you have experience with?

[jdkubotamurray]

Mantis 2-cycle mini tiller/cultivator

http://www.veseys.com/images/products/large/3272.jpg

Almost everybody you know has a garden, and some like to have vegetable gardens. To make the ground fertile for planting, sometimes you have to till it and even more so if you have clay soil! People run into issues when they just want a small perennial or vegetable garden because they are running full size tillers and they can’t move them around properly to till the garden because they have no room! With the size of the Mantis tiller, you can get into the smallest of places and with all the attachments they make for the tiller; you can’t go wrong at any rate! In this review, I will explain why this is such a great tiller!

The Mantis tiller uses a 2-cycle 21cc commercial engine; though you may think that is not a lot of power, wait till you see it in action! This engine is not hard to start at all, but for those who have a hard time starting 2-cycle engines, Mantis makes a easy start kits for these tillers. This engine likes a 50:1 oil ratio that translates to 2.6 ounces of 2-cycle oil with 1 gallon of gas. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about that because Mantis sells a 2-cycle “handy item kit” that includes 6 bottles of pre measured oil, 2 air filters, 1 sparkplug, 1 transmition gasket, and 2 cotter pins. Handy item kits are sold for $20.00

When I use my Mantis tiller, I use a forward and reverse motion like using a vacuum cleaner. This allows the tines to dig into the ground easier and better. I noticed the tiller had some trouble when going through some grass that was growing through the garden; it wanted to pop up and down on the surface. I find if you give it 1/4 throttle the tines will dig into the soil better. Then you can give it full throttle to really break it up and finish the job. We have al lot of clay soil over here so it really puts this tiller to the test and I have to say it did a pretty good job! However, I find that this tiller is not really great for starting new gardens where you have to dig through heavy sod, use a full size tiller for that.

Did you know that Mantis makes many different attachments for the Mantis tiller? The attachments are always easy to install, all you have to do is remove the cotter pins on the tines, remove the tines, put the new attachment on, and install the cotter pins. The border edger attachment comes with every purchase of a Mantis tiller however, other attachments do not. I purchased the dethatcher attachment to dethatch my lawn and I have to say that it did a really good job! It is made up of 60 steel spring picks that turn and dig out the thatch! They make the following attachments for the Mantis tiller…

Planter/Furrower
Border Edger
Lawn Aerator
Lawn Dethatcher
Aerator/Dethatcher Combination
Crevice Cleaner
24" or 30" Trimmer Bars
Wheel Set
Plow Attachment

This tiller retails for $350.00 brand new but as you can see, it is well worth the cost when you consider what it can do. This tiller only weighs 20 pounds, so that means anybody can use this! Because of its size, it allows you to get into small places that a full size tiller cannot! This engine is easy to start, but for those who have trouble started 2-cycles, Mantis makes a easy start kit. You don’t have to worry about mixing oil with gas so much because Mantis sells handy item kits for your Mantis that includes pre measured oil and other stuff for your tiller! This tiller does a great job tilling, but seems to have some trouble tilling through grass. And even though it does such a great job, this just cannot be used to start a brand new garden through heavy sod! There are many attachments that Mantis makes for your tiller that can allow you to do all your gardening and lawn needs! Go out there and buy yourself a Mantis!

Date Purchased: 04/01/06
Price Paid: $20.00 [retail $350.00]
Recommend: Yes

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/Terminator20/4-STAR.jpg


OK, I will take one for the $20!

[bersh]

.....snip..... The price is in the professional tool range, I believe the "Still" (isn't spelled that way, but sounds that way) is about the same price at my local garden store, which not known for low prices on tools (then too the tools are of good/better quality).

Check out the first question listed:
http://www.stihlusa.com/faq_general.html

[JMC]

I used one of those to dig a drainage ditch across the yard in my old house.
Saved my back big time. Incredibly tough little machine. :trink39:

[kennyp46]

I bought a factory reconditioned mantis tiller. I came with the 2 year warranty. I'm in the early part of my second year and i've had it in the shop twice so far for worm gear repair/replacement. I t seems that golf ball size stones have a tendency to get stuck between the tines and brings the mantis worm gear to a screeching halt, but the engine keeps going full tilt until your reaction time catches up and you can release the gas. Compound the number of times this can happen during a small vegetable garden tilling and the worm gear can't hold up to the stress. The next thing you notice is the engine is running full throttle but the tines aren't tilling and another gardening job is put on hold for a week to 10-day repair at the local service dealer.

[jerry_nj]

I am getting older (at the point in life where it is really beginning to take its toll) and keep thinking: maybe a mini-tiller for the garden, maybe edging and some other tasks I have used my back and "elbow grease" to accomplish.

How do I resolve the last two posts? Is the trench by JMC in stone-free soil? Are the size of the stones critical to the worm gear failure? Bigger stones do what? I suppose smaller stones just "turn over". I have a lot of stones, keep removing them, but they keep working their way up from below it seems. In any case, if stones kill the tiller, I don't want a tiller.

[dueces62]

I had a Ryobi version of this tiller and in the 2nd year all the gas lines started leaking and just fell apart if you touched em.

[jerry_nj]

Well, Ryobi is, in my view a consumer quality product but your experience is below that quality. The Mantis is more a commercial quality, I think, but then there's the "rocks". Did you have not problem with rocks jamming the Ryobi?

I think the cost difference isn't that great: Brand-X about $299 and Mantis, what $349 (Haven't checked the price lately).

[cdhd2001]

I have a Craftsman version with the Tecumseh TCII 2hp 49cc engine. Runs great and very tuff. I don't seem to have the rock problem, but my tines look just like a "real" tiller, not the "spikey" kind the Mantis uses.

[kennyp46]

As for the bigger rocks, i din't have a problem with them. The Mantis mostly kicked them out of the way or bounced off them. It was the golf ball size rocks that would jam. And its not like jam a rock and there goes the worm gear. Jam a dozen over the course of a tilling and i think it just does a little more daamage each time until it finally... what, burns up...snaps...i don't know; i havent seen a messed up worm gear. I'm assuming it strips. The guy who works on my equipment showed me a good worm gear out of a Toro or something. The gear itself was made of brass but tthe gears that cog into the worm gear are steel.

[kennyp46]

My Mantis cost $269.+ factory reconditioned. "Each Tiller/Cultivator comes with a full two-year factory warranty on the unit, and a lifetime warranty on the tines." http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com/32-1011.html for anybody interested.

[dueces62]

Sorry Jerry I was gone a couple days...yes I had lots of trouble with rocks and the Ryobi!

[jerry_nj]

kennyp46, thanks for the link to factory reconditioned Mantis cultivators. Seems strange that there would be a large supply of factory reconditioned anything worth having. Anyway, the price is right, and I suppose the Mantis is as good as this type machine can be, and if one doesn't have rocks in the garden (who would that be?), then no problem.

I assume if the rocks hadn't broken the worm gear you'd be happy with the machine's performance.

[kennyp46]

It works great except for the rocks. It just delays some of my gardening. Luckily my first tilling was with a tiller on the back of a tractor. I use the Mantis as a finiish tiller and cultivator. For that it works great as long as i can minimize the number of small rocks.

[kennyp46]

No offence Dueces, but i feel better knowing that the Ryobi has a similar problem. That means it's not just Mantis but mini-tillers in general. I don't know if this is the case but i think maybe the Mantis has more torque so when a rock does get lodged it causes more damage due to the abrupt stop. Just a theory...nothing to back it up.

[2tractors]

Then what would be a good small tiller that would serve you well for say 300$ or less? :hide: So today it so happens that I get this mantis advertisement in the mail say tiller for 350$, free shipping, edger, kick stand, and if you do not like it send it back within 1 yr for full refund and shipping, so where is the catch if it is a POS?

[Mkos1980]

I have a Craftsman version with the Tecumseh TCII 2hp 49cc engine. Runs great and very tuff. I don't seem to have the rock problem, but my tines look just like a "real" tiller, not the "spikey" kind the Mantis uses.

Ditto. I run mine wot for a few hours on end sometimes and its never let me down for that last 5 or so years that I have owned it. I also havent had any rock problems.

[jerry_nj]

Use as a cultivator, not sure what that means, is my main interest. I hope the cultivator function includes weeding. What I have in mind, hope, is that the cultivator "grinds" up weeds so that one doesn't have to remove them (pull them). Is this correct, does the Mantis do this well (assuming no rock problems)? Also, I assume the worm gear was repaired under warranty, how did that work?

[CatDaddy]

I've been using my f-i-l's Mantis recently to till beds for my wife's small butterfly & herb gardens. It's worked without a single problem, easy to control, but it does take a couple of passes to get to a good, even depth. It's definitely not for "unprepared" areas. You should either kill off the grass with round-up or scalp it with a mower. Tall grass will just twist itself tightly around the tines requiring you to remove them to get the grass cleared away. The Mantis is amazingly frugal on gas though.

HTH!
-=A=-

[mla2ofus]

Just got mine in April. It works great in the raised beds of our garden and I really like the edger. According to the owners manual, the tines are mounted w/ the angle of the tines pointed forward for tilling and back for cultivating.This is accomplished by switching sides w/ them.
Mike