Well I have a bad relationship with rotavators - mainly because my engineering skills are basic. I bought a 2 stroke Mantis many years ago and it did me well until it became a pig to start but after much modification it still works but annoys me. In the old days I used to rotavate my standard 90ft by 30ft allotment and it would take at least 3 days - and I would have the finger trembles afterwards.
So four years ago I decided to buy a more powerful, wider tine rotavator. I bought a brand new Handy 3.5HP Tiller which was on offer at my local garden centre. The first time I used it it would go for 30 mins then the tines would stop rotating. I would let it cool down for 30 mins then it would work for a further 30 mins etc etc. So after ages I finished the plot. I rang Handy and they told me how to readjust the clutch. Next year it worked fine and I thought my problems were solved. Today I took it out to the plot and after 20 mins the engine fell off!! What actually happened was two of the the so called lock nuts that hold the engine to the chassis fell off with the vibration. I had checked them the day before. They disappeared somewhere into the churned up soil.
i got the rotavator back home and opened up the bottom plate. Out fell two bolts and a drive belt. I've spent the last two hours trying to get the drive belt back on but it is not simple like the old rotavators/lawnmowers used to be and its not easy to see inside and get your fingers into it.
After all this I am thinking am I mad to have a rotavator that, quite frankly, I use only about once a year when I could hire one - anyone have experience at hiring rotavators?
Also this one weighs 30kg and at my age I am finding it difficult to load it into the car and to move it around on the plot. At 3.5 HP it seems, sometimes, like its taking me for a walk!
Anyone know any rotavators that weigh about 20kg but have decent power!
By the way I have only used this rotavator three times so far and it's failed me twice. Not a good recommendation for a purchase. The Briggs Stratton engine is fine but I think the rest of it is poorly built.
Yours sincerely - having a bad day!