I don't have one but several gardeners I know have purchased Mantis rototillers and are very happy with their performance. I think they only weigh 20 lbs, you might google to get further info.

I couldn't find any way to buy it except order online, and it's rather expensive for a minitiller without the shipping added. Do you know of a more local dealer?
thanks!

I have noticed home depot to have decent prices on used tilers.

Oh cool! okay... thanks!

Also at Home Depot they sometimes have rentals available. Dont know if that would work for you, but my local Home Depot is close enough that we have rented tools like that in the past.

I thought of that... I can also borrow an in-laws, but I kinda wanted one of my own... a small one. With my in-law, it'd be when he got around to it, and in Sacramento, there's only a small window of time when the soil goes from sopping to cement. Plus, if I wanted to do more later, I wouldn't have to pay or wait again.
Thanks for your help! Lots of ideas.

I found a Mantis at a garage sale two years ago and I am crazy about it. Even if I paid more than the $30 I would recommend it. Starts easy and does a great job in raised beds. If it does not work well for you, then your soil needs help. Al

I love our Mantis. It is small enough to dig a big deep hole (in clay soil -- I wouldn't recommend it for rocky soil) yet large enough to till a small garden. I can even start it myself with a few tugs. It takes much less time to dig a big hole (say, for a new rose) with the Mantis tiller than doing it myself with a shovel when the soil is hard. We've had ours for several years and have had no problems so far.

Mantis will break payments into three cycles so it doesn't hurt so much. They bill your credit card once a month at $90.00. That was my christmas present to myself and I love it.

I've rented ones and they never did the job as well as my Mantis.

Edna ;-)

:o) Well, I saved my money... it's just that I went to Consumer reports which didn't even have a Mantis on the list of best mini tillers. Not sure why... so I assumed that the Honda was the best one... didn't know where to buy it. I am always looking to save money though....

When using the Mantis in rocky soil sometimes a rock just the right size will get caught between the tines. For this problem I keep a bar handy to knock the rock loose. Al

I Purchased my Mantis from a dealer on Ebay. I got a great price and received free shipping. The Mantis does a great job, and they have a promotion right now that you can use if for a year and if you still don't like it, you can return it for 100% return. Also, with a Mantis, you can purchase additional blades etc. I love my Mantis!!!!
I don't know how I got along with out it.

An alternative to a rototiller: Have you looked at a U-bar digger? I have one and have just loved it for _years_ -- far bettter on soil compaction than any of the rototillers (they tend to bang down what they've just churned up) and they "prong" deeper than most rototillers, especially the little guys like the Mantis. My gardens have been much happier since I switched from the rototiller to the U-bar. You get a bit of exercise (its really not hard -- mostly jumping on the bar, if you're not a big person, otherwise, just standing on it drives it in) and you get an excellent churn. The handles are well designed so there's almost no back action at all. Water heavily (light in the am, long in the pm) two days before you launch in and it flies -- gives you the kind of turnover you'd get from a whole day of spade and pitchforking in less time with more depth. They'/ve been used in Europe for 300 years and I think they're great for small spaces.

I got mine from Lee Valley tools (and its still going strong at 7 yrs old) at:

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&cat=2,42578,40769,10521&p=10521

From my research, theirs was the best on the market, and I don't think anyone has done better (frankly I've loved everything I've ever bought from them on both their woodworking and gardening branches) and they back their tools ferociously.

Cheers!

I have never quite understood tilling for ornamental plants. If your soil is healthy it will have plenty of aeration. What benefit do you think you get from this?

I am also looking for a mini-rototiller because my garden is full of little "volunteer" plants from seeds that have dropped and taken root. I just want to occasionally go in there and till parts under. So much easier than pulling each one by hand. I thought I saw a TV ad for one the other day that was smaller still than any I've found online...

I just received the packet from Mantis on their sale, 3 easy payments. Those that I know have them, say they are easy to handle in small areas and a great time saver for all gardening needs. I'm giving it serious consideration! Pat

heathen1,

I bought a Honda mini tiller three years ago from Home Depot. I couldn't be more happier! It is so easy to use, is a four stroke engine so you don't have to worry about mixing oil/gas. It starts everytime, usually on the first pull, so you don't put your back out trying to start it. I have a back that has a tendency to get hurt easily, but I've never strained it using this tiller. Even my 13 year old son used it from the beginning.
{{gwi:526486}}
I don't know about the Mantis, but Honda makes a quality engine for everything they do. I don't know if Home Depot still has them, but I wouldn't trade mine for the world!

Be careful tilling wet soil with any means, you could end up with hard, lumpy soil, not the fluffy, soft stuff you're looking for.

Good luck,
Elaine

I do not recommend the Honda. I am an avid gardener and in the trade. I use my gardening tools and take care of them. The Honda I bought had transmission problems and engine problems. When I contacted Honda about the problem they acted like it was the first time they had ever heard of it. I went on line an found many references to people having the same problem as I did. I will add that I bought because of the recommendation of Consumer Report,which I also find myself questioning more often. I would not buy another Honda!!

The Mantis is the best friend a gardener could have. It is light and reliable and worth the money. Tilling in weeds or compost is a small task compared to using hand tools. I turned a 30 X 90 area of "dead soil" into a bountiful garden paridise with a Mantis. Regards - Jim

We love our Mantis! We've had it for several years and it hasn't failed us. In addition to tilling trenches and such, I've also used it to dig huge holes for planting roses.

Heathen, did you decide on a machine yet? I found that Ace Hardware here in Redding carry the Mantis, so I was able to go over and actually have a hands on for weight, manuverbility, etc. Pat

No tiller is worth retail. Bookmark a craigslist search and get a used one opportunisticaly.

might want to look up cultivators. The little manual guy is perfect for me.

Mantis uses Honda engines.