Your old mantis probably has a dirty carb. and a weak diaphram. Which is common among two strokes after years of use. You can try to spary carb. cleaner directly down the carb as a primer it should start of it immediately. You will get some cleaning action by doing this but the best way it to take the carb apart, gas tank off and clean them. A carb kit cost about 8 bucks plus a can of carb spray cleaner. If you keep the air filter clean and the gas tank clean then you may get away with adding carb cleaner to the gas tank and it may remove any tarnish or guu inside the carb. but after years of use and storage IMO you have a low precentage chance of this working.

As for the elect. If battery pack I would check on how much the battery pack costs, you might have to replace the battery pack ever few years which would be the only cost involve. If 120V then you have to have and extension cord or a portable gen. I would think they would last a long time provide you didn't get them wet and leave them wet.

I agree with Rcmoser on the carb. Try cleaning/change the gasket diaphram before spending money on the the new tiller. I would even consider buying a new carb if you don't want to deal with getting into the carb. But what do you get to loose opening the carb? You are about to spend $300 for a new one!!! It is very easy to overhault the carb.

That said, Mantis sell direct and they have a one year return policy, they pay for shipment both ways. I have very good experience with their service. Do a search on Mantis. Order one and return it if you don't like it.

Thanks for your feedback. I have had the old tiller in the repair shop a few times and last year they just couldn't get it going. I have to use a local as I am in a very remote area. Anyway, I was intrigued with the idea of the electric tiller and easy push button start. However, I wondered if it has the power. Anyone know?

Sounds like your local shadetree is not too familiar with small engines.The electric Mantis is not a cordless so dragging the cord could be a PITA. Remember that a long cord means increased voltage drop which translates into heat and loss of power.

IMO the elect. will probably be stronger than the gas. I have elect chain saw and it blows most saws away with bars less than 16". I would try to find a dealer and have them demostrate the elect version. 120V usually has enough amps to turn the tines just as good or even better than gas. Only problem I see is if the tines stop for some reason and you don't let off the trigger or the fact that elect and moisture don't go togather.

I won't worry about the power. The Mantis only have a tiny 21cc engine, don't take a big electric motor to kick it's behind!!! Like Canguy said, dragging the cord is the worst. I can't even stand using the corded drill for indoors, imagine snacking on trees, bushes etc.

I would not buy the electric Mantis, but it is just my opinion.

You have not described any of the symptom and how often you use and how do you store the Mantis. Give a longer description and I am sure there are people here happy to trouble shoot with you. It is a simple engine. If you are handy, I am sure someone can guide you through. Might cost you a few dollars to buy the carb overhault kit, but it is relatively easy to do.

My wild guess is old gas that gum up the inside of the carb. Do these observation:
1) does the gas cycle when you prime the bulb?
2) You change the plug, the air filter and the gas filter?
3) How often you run your tiller, do you leave gad in the tank for storage?

Tell us more.
Cheers

Oh, I'm embarrassed to admit my tiller has been abused in the maintenence department. My husband, who can take a motorcycle engine apart and put back together blindfolded, became frustrated with it and will be of little help if I elect to try and fix it myself. Anyway, I only used it a couple of times a year on small areas, I (gulp) never drained the gas from it, but I could get my husband to put in a new spark plug every spring when I would be fighting it to start. Don't know about filters, my husband did all that and I didn't hang around to watch, but I feel quite sure he would have checked them. Gas does fill bulb when primed.
Also, I've been wondering if the shade tree mechanic I took it to might have put regular gas in instead of pre-mix. Just a funny feeling I have. What would that do to it?
This is an old mantis as I inherited it from my father-in-law in 2001 and don't know how long he had it before that. Maybe it was just it's time to go... with a little help from me.

You use it twice a year and if you are not into maintenance and you husband won't help you!!!

Get the electric Mantis!!!!

No maintenance needed. Don't throw away the old one, at least keep the gear box. I believe it is all interchangable. Just have your husband check the grease in the gear box for you from time to time.

Sound like you need a carb rebuild, and even so, it will die again sooner or later.

I've owned a Mantis 2-stroke for over ten years. It is such a workhorse. I was just on the Mantis site and it looks like if you buy one now, you get a free aerator attachment. I'd go for a new one and take advantage of the freebie attachment and free shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mantis web site