Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Dirkdigger on May 19, 2005, 23:20:33
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Due to a lot of interest in purchasing a Tiller on the site, I've decided to ask if anyone has any experience on using a Honda tiller. The one I am looking to purchase is the FG201 1.9hp version.
Anyone had one, used one or any other info would be much appreciated.
I see Tim has bought this model so I speak for all of us in hoping to read his views and comments in the near future. ;) ;)
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If anyone has& & they now tell me it is ****, they'd better keep their head down!!
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This one Honda single cylinder GX31 1.5hp is a kg lighter also £50 lighter, is it the last straw that breaks the camels back I wonder? Would .4 of hp make that much difference? ???
http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=481
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Tim when do you expect delivery of this machine? and do you have a link we can look at, only I haven't seen a light weight Honda with wheels ??? Can't wait for your comments on performance :)
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Roy - wish I hadn't asked!! I wonder how many more will appear now, just as I make up my mind.
Wheels - I meant 'transit' - not driving - wheels. That would be too good to be true. Except that it might be difficult between rows?
Delivery? Monday - DV.
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0.4hp = 26% increase on 1.5 hp. Then again, I don't know how much power is required re tillers - the only power on our allotment is people power :P
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As the Honda is on my short list of 3, I can't wait for Tim to test drive his and tell us what he thinks either :)
MM
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Not in the market myself - too skint, but I would like one with wheels when I do eventually get round to it. Anyway followed the link above and then had a deeper look and then found this one - maybe not a glamorous name but it has got wheels - http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=619
(http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/asps%5Cuploads/big/619-1.jpg) and a 3.5hp engine.
Seems to me that there is only one to buy - unless its a huge pile of manure?
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Yes, indeed - & a surprisingly good price for such a machine?? However - this all started with a quest for a 'little old lady's machine'.
It then refined to a question of price. And developed to include noise & power. Etc.
It just shows the value of the net in sussing out the thing that suits you.
Wheels - driving wheels or transporting wheels? Big difference.
And if weight & handling are no problem, then go for an oldie like this? 4.5HP Wolesley. But, with due respect, NOT for a girl!
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oi!i resemble that remark young tim!
i started this debate off by saying i wanted a machine for a weak and feeble woman-not a little old lady!!!
cheeky berhooger! ;) ;D
hang on-i cant type fer laughing!
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Not in the market myself - too skint, but I would like one with wheels when I do eventually get round to it. Anyway followed the link above and then had a deeper look and then found this one - maybe not a glamorous name but it has got wheels - http://www.thegreenreaper.co.uk/ShowDetails.asp?id=619
and a 3.5hp engine.
Seems to me that there is only one to buy - unless its a huge pile of manure?
Hi RC ;) I'm only looking at Tillers that I can lift into my small car and can be used quite easily in raised beds ie: till forward and backward no turning needed ;) I think I could lift 14.5 kg=32lbs but not much more :o got to watch the heart strings. :o
Tim just thought of my first question, I would be interested to know if the Honda will till forward and backward ? but don't risk doing yourself any harm on my account as I can e-mail the manufacturer. ;D
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Merlins Mum
I would be interested to hear what are the other two tillers on your short list are. My knowledge of tillers is nil except limited information about the mantis tiller. I have a rotivator but have recently thought a tiller would be very useful.
Thanks
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Roy - to the best of my knowledge, only the v expensive rotovators have reverse - because you couldn't manoeuvre them otherwise.
kitty - I thought that l-o-l sounded better than feeble! I should have included old gentlemen who need to carry the thing??
And L-o-L, to my mind, a tiller is just an underpowered rorovator!!
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Hi Lady
Well because I want to be able to lift whatever I get in and out of the car I had originally got a list of 2 - the Mantis and the Mountfield mini 200 cultivator, you can see my thread in basics on the Mountfield. But then dd has asked about the Honda and I must say it looks good and I like the fact it is a 4 stroke so less noisy. so this has now been added to the list. but am still concerned about the weight. I'm going to look at one next week hopefully so will know then whether I would be able to lift it OK
MM
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Hi MM, according to the spec sheet about 16 kg dry weight. Comes with transport wheels and a carry handle on top. Hopefully going to look at one today. Will get back if they have one. Not purchasing today, local Mower shop( usually way over the top on prices). Will ask if they are prepared to price match though. Obviously adding whatever postage I would have to pay. ;) ;)
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hi dd
I just can't imagine what 16kg would be like for putting in and out of the car. Hopefully I will see one next week
Still be very interested to hear what you think today if you see one.
MM
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;D MM 16kg=35.27lbs so if you can lift just a little over half a 56lb bag of spuds or maybe a medium size dog or a small medium sized grandchild (dry weight) ;D you should be alright ;D
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Hi MM, according to the spec sheet about 16 kg dry weight. Comes with transport wheels and a carry handle on top. Hopefully going to look at one today. Will get back if they have one. Not purchasing today, local Mower shop( usually way over the top on prices). Will ask if they are prepared to price match though. Obviously adding whatever postage I would have to pay. ;) ;)
DD ;) I have looked at the Honda site and cannot see anything stating transport wheels supplied with the FG201 Tiller ??? Have I got the wrong link?
http://www.honda.co.uk/garden/GardenStoreLookupServlet?hidActionDetail=GetTillerDetail&hidTillerID=8&hidCategoryID=1
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Hi just got back from shopping. Been to look at the tiller, I think the Fg201 is enough for my size of plot. As far as the weight is concerned didn't feel very heavy. One site I looked at says it is only 14.5 kg, but lifted it didn't feel a monster. It has travelling wheels attached to the back which are removable. The link I posted to Honda allows you to download the Honda brochure its a pdf file.
Just looking at that same brochure in my hands it says folding handles, transit wheels as standard and carry handle for easy transport and storage. The man wasn't prepared to negotiate a price quoted me £390 for basic and with the attachments £510. Needless to say will buy online when I decide to purchase.
Glad I have seen the 3 Honda versions, other 2 much to big and heavy. I suffer from Myasthenia, so anything tooo heavy is out of the question anyway.
Hope this helps.
http://www.justhonda.co.uk/pages/product383.htm
from the brochure from Honda
• Efficient 1.9hp mini 4-stroke engine.
• Working width of 300mm and rotor
diameter of 230mm are ideal for light
duty or intricate work.
• Low vibration for comfort over long
periods of use.
• Folding handles, transit wheels as
standard and carry handle for easy
transport and storage.
• Recoil start requires up to 40% less
pull force than other tillers of this size.
• Optional lawn aerator, edger, and
de-thatcher also available – or sold
as a complete package.
• Increased fuel capacity with
easy access top-fill cap in
;) ;)
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;D Thanks for that Dirkdigger ;) a couple more questions if I may :) Do you think it will fit in the back of a small car like my Daewoo Matiz hatchback? also did you ask if it can be used forward and backward motion like the Mantis or and old fashioned lawnmower? if yes then I could use it in my small raised beds ;D
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Roy - just realised you weren't talking about reverse - which the Viking has. Push/pull? Surely any machine light enough could be used thus??
For a modest reverser, the Viking. But too big for you. http://www.worldofpower.co.uk/acatalog/tiller.html
I said earlier that I regarded a tiller as an underpowered rotovator. But I note that in the digging world, the terms tiller, rotovator & cultivator are interchangeable.
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As Tim said Roy, you could use it forward or pull it back I would assume. As far as fit it in a car no problems. Handles fold down for easy transporting. As I only need to walk about 800yds to my plot will probably walk it over.
Slight delay in my plans at the moment, been given some info about a full blown Rotovator. I think it will be too big for my needs, but its only about 4 months old and as far as my son-in-law says he thinks he only wants about £100 for it. Not sure as to what make or any other details apart from it cost about £600 new. His friends father died recently, no need for it. Will keep you posted.
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Isn't it a Mantis lookalike, with a 4stroke engine?
I like my Mantis: I'd like it more with a 4stroke.
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good grief¬this is all getting so technical!
message for mm-32lbs doesnt sound much-but-and this will only be pertinant to mm so sorry everyone else...one of those bags of clay in my shop is only 25lbs-imagine another 10lbs on top of that.....
mmmmm...........i think the mantis sounds better and better for us l-o-l!!!!
ialways feel a rotovater is a large unweildy beast with a kick like a mule-cultivater sounds so much ..more.....cultivated!!!!!!
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that's a difficult one kitty, as you've never let me pick up your bags of clay ;D ;D ;D
still next week I'm hoping to see a Honda when I go to collect and pay for OH birthday pressie. doesn't know it but I'm buying him a brushcutter/strimmer. not daft eh, thought he could use it at the lottie. ;D
MM
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no..health and safety-first rule-never give your customers a hernia!
you must have seen me struggling along in a muck sweat,cursing thebag thats making my arms so long passing orang utans are blowing kisses to me?
;D
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;D ;D ;D
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Roy - just realised you weren't talking about reverse - which the Viking has. Push/pull? Surely any machine light enough could be used thus??
Hmm! not sure ::) big expenditure if it doesn't, don't you think? also it would depend on how hard you have to dig your heels in to pull it backwards and why didn't Honda say it can be done ??? maybe because it's too hard to do who knows? someone does, I'll wait and see what Merlins Mum has to say about it.
I said earlier that I regarded a tiller as an underpowered rotovator. But I note that in the digging world, the terms tiller, rotovator & cultivator are interchangeable.
I looked these up in the Cambridge dictionary online Tim and neither one is listed, very odd ::) so I spose a tiller just lifts the surface a rotavator digs deep and Gawd knows what a cultivator does, cultivates? ??? ;D
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Not sure about tiller Roy. I'm sure the mantis says it digs to 10", that's a lot more than just the surface. and I think it was wardy who said that a neighbour on her lottie used her mantis to dig in her green manure. It's so difficult as you seem to hear so many conflicting stories. Anyway I will ask about the reverse thing for you. just hope I don't get a lot of sales talk! :)
MM
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;D Hi MM, yes I realise the Mantis claims a 10 inch depth, but I'm a bit tongue in cheek about that, maybe it will do this in soft composted soil.
My Lottie neighbour tried his Rotavator (not tiller) on my plot of hard clay and it just scratched the surface, he suggested I dig it over first, so if I am to do that then I think the Tiller will keep the soil fine thereafter. (Says he tongue in cheek) ;D
Incidentally, I e-mailed Mantis asking if they sold off the returned units from their 365 day refund promise and they said yes...the price £259.95 with a full guarantee, does that price tag ring a bell?
http://www.nepine.co.uk/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=99
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That surely is spooky!!
Ten inches? Possibly - if you want to drag the thing back & forth repeatedly over the same foot of run. Even our 4.5hp thing won't do that in one go. You can often believe that you're getting deep because you are chucking up buckets of fluffed up soil like beating an egg. Don't be fooled!
Scratching? I believe that any unworked ground has to be scuffed over at least once before any tine driven machine can get properly in.
And the soil has to be just right. Claggy & it'll make a pudding: dry & it plays tennis with the hard lumps!! And, as I've said, any machine tends to clear the patch of worms.
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And, as I've said, any machine tends to clear the patch of worms
That worries me Tim, how quickly do worms return. I'm one of those daft women who hates chopping a worm in half with a spade.
Roy, I'm sure on another thread, started by kitty I think, there was someone saying the mantis did go fairly deep but it could be as Tim has suggested, he went over the same ground several times.
I want something that will give me nice fine soil to sow in and also turn in my green manure when I want.
MM
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i want something that'll do the entire garden for me while i lounge on a chair with a daiquiri........
but as thats not going to happen...
i think expecting /hoping any machine will wholly replace hand digging is optimistic.......what i want it for IS for a bit of fluffing prior to planting..after i''ve dug the ground and it settles down...if i'm a while planting it needs another dig over to give the plants a chance
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Worms? I find that they only come back after one has done one rotation with 'the spade'. Sad?
Auto vacs & auto mowers but, no - no diggers! Yet. A chap??
Fluffy soil? Don't try sowing in it.
Turning stuff in? Yes. See my very early post on that - with the electric one.
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My local expert has the Mantis tiller. Very very noisy. He says wont replace digging once a year, but a couple of weeks before he puts any plants in he works in compost and manure or growmore. Leaves it for a couple of weeks then plants in it.
I think a tiller is really just for preparing the planting beds ready for your plants. Which is what I'm looking for anyway. He doesn't own a rotovator.
He cant be going too wrong looking at his plot, everything is huge. Cabbages are already about 2-3 ft tall.
I think everyone has to look at their reason for wanting one, if you want it to help with the whole plot in one go I'm sure you will need something bigger.
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Three foot tall cabbages?? Tesco's will be after him!!
Noise - yes - we've done that. Digging - that too - but rotovating before ? brassica - I'm surprised.
CAN'T WAIT TILL TOMORROW!!
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No Tim, he was preparing his for his runner beans the other day, cabbages went in untouched soil. Will try and get my camera over there between the downpours, I put some greyhound cabbage seeds in a few weeks back. They started showing about 2 weeks ago. They are probably about 8-10 inches in height now. My neighbour put his plants in about the same time, Durham early I think. Hes had to remove the netting from around them because they have grown to big. His carrots have about 1-1.5 ft of foilage.
I'm not envious, (yes right) but have taken in a lot of what he's up-to. After all this is my first year, most things seem to be growing. Even got some carrots to show (2ND attempt).
Will wait for your experienced comments as regards the tiller.
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Well, I'm envious!!
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Incidentally, I e-mailed Mantis asking if they sold off the returned units from their 365 day refund promise and they said yes...the price £259.95 with a full guarantee, does that price tag ring a bell?
http://www.nepine.co.uk/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=99
Sorry Roy I forgot to respond to this. Thought £259.95 sounded such a bargain but I'm a bit worried now, after all you could be buying one that's almost a year old. Hardly new then is it? I know they would check it over before sending it out again but still . . . . . . :-\
MM
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mm..i think thats sounds a bit dodgy really-dont you?-i mean-thats a second hand machine-whichever way you look at it..and even if its had a tip top service and they've cleaned it up-its still 2nd hand..and its not advertised as such..dayam!thought you'd found a bargain there mm..
and how come they have an abundance of the £259 machines?it doesnt say-'limited supplyu'...oberhooger!now i'm back to not knowing.. :(
TIM!
give us a full report tomorrow night when you've done a test drive!
i expect it will be loads better than your electric mantis ;)
which you'll probably be putting on the market ;)
on tuesday ;)
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Kitty
If you didn't have enough money in your piggy bank for a copy of KG so you can enter the competition, the answer to the question is..................................there isn't an answer!!!!
Just send your name and address on the back of a postcard to: Kitchen Garden/Mantis, 12 Orchard Lane, Woodnewton, Peterborough. PE8 5EE. Closing date is June 17th
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ta!done that!
i am awaiting the postman with anticipation..i'm bound to win! ;D
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are you sure, I thought I was ;D
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Na your welcome to it, too noisy for me. Even being deaf as a post, had to take evasive action the other day.. Took my hearing aid out. Blisss!!!!!! ;D
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I have a 2nd hand ex rental rotivator 5hp I think. Got it from rental shop via ebay for about £100 I think?
Mid-winter One pull and broooooom! ;D Chugs along with 1st,2nd or reverse.
Makes lovely tithe but wont cut into hard compacted soil.
Need to dig into rough chunks first.
Wont go in estate car but can lift onto trailer(one end at a time!)
Not loud either and only use few times a year.
Bunged BIG layer of compo onto plot and it mixes it in nicey.
Nothing worse than bashing soil with spade to get a non-fine tithe!
HATE doing that!
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Incidentally, I e-mailed Mantis asking if they sold off the returned units from their 365 day refund promise and they said yes...the price £259.95 with a full guarantee, does that price tag ring a bell?
http://www.nepine.co.uk/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=99
Sorry Roy I forgot to respond to this. Thought £259.95 sounded such a bargain but I'm a bit worried now, after all you could be buying one that's almost a year old. Hardly new then is it? I know they would check it over before sending it out again but still . . . . . . :-\
MM
:o Woa! woa! Girls :o I didn't say that "that" company sold the returned models. I merely pointed out the similarity in the price tag, they may well be brand spanking new for all I know.
You could of course e-mail them and put them on the spot ;D
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Typical, women always seem to get the wrong end of the stick. ;D ;D
Just as well you put them right Roy.. ;D ;D
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okay!
outside NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
counsel for the prosecution clears throat and stands.....
the accused's inferencewas perfectly obvious m'lud-and if he drew our attention to the exact similarity in price then it is reasonable to suppose,if one were an intelligent human being,that the accused meant us to think that there was ...er....collusion at the very least-in common parlance-something a little fishyor why,in fact,were we invited,nay,implored ,to recollect whether this fact-of the similarities in pricing between two,supposedly unconnected retailers,rang any bells.
i i put it to you mr.bham and mr digger,that you wilfully and recklessly led the aforementioned women to believe that there was indeed a connection between the two companies and that you ,in fact,laid a 'bint trap',into which,in all innocence ,these ladies fell.
in conclusion,m'lud,i will ask the defendants if they have any reasonable explanation for their misconduct...and if not,i shall expect a full and unreseved apology to the poor unfortunate duped ladies.....
and recompence to the tune of one mantis tiller,a box of chox and a bunch of flowers.
there rests the case for the prosecution..
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Fooled me!
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s'ok tim-i work on a 'no win,no tiller 'basis-i think i'm onto a winner here-roys probably working out the postage on a tiller box of chox and a bunch of flowers! ;)
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And can I just say I prefer plain chocs don't much like milk or white. and so they match the decor, if the flowers could be creams and oranges, it would be appreciated ;D ;D
MM
ps - kitty I think you missed your vocation!
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Just picked up a Honda 210 tiller . Mint condition. £60. Bargin.
Start first time. Good little work horse . Very impressed.
Light enough to lift in and out of my van. Highly recommended.
Alan
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Wow kitty, can you please (trembling as I type) accept my apology. Mr Jackson needs a good brief, certainly wake the yanks up...
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Guilty as charged, I do apologise to the two
doped (typo) duped ladies ;D unreservedly, chocs and flowers will be sent cyber haste, tiller won't fit in the mail box sorry :P
Kitty you got me knees a knockin and shacking all over, feel like I been holding a Mantis all day :o ;D
Alan what an excellent bargain, but even at £60 I would have had to turn it down (or resell it ;D) as it would crease me trying to pick up 62lb (4½ stone :o) and doubt it would fit in my little car. :'(
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i thangyew!!
*kitty takes off silly spaniel wig and bat like gown and returns to licking paws in the corner*
flippin 'ek!£60???????
you really know how to hurt a girl don't you?
:'(
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I give up! Alan Y's got a £525 2.5hp machine for £60 - can't get much for my electric??
But then I shouldn't mention a price here, should I?
Big difference here. The £300 1.9hp 201 came without instructions. Luckily I had a fair idea how to assemble. Fiddly. Says 'free oil', but it needed 10W40 added. You really need the correct ring spanners before you start, & a coule of spare nuts & split pins in case you lose them.
Weight? Yes - I could lift it into a car boot, but that's about all I could manage. I certainly won't be carrying it from one end of the 'estate'. It will go on its wheels. More fiddle.
Digging? With only one set of tines on, it tried to bury itself like a rabbit. With both sets, it still likes to dig its teeth in - less so - and needs a good rocking from side to side to see it on its way. Of course, any tine driven machine needs persuasion & is certainly not 'a piece of cake'. Especially for a girl.
Comfortable to handle. Started first pull. When I found that you had to turn the petrol on. More powerful than the Mantis, of course, but I actually prefer to operate the electric Mantis!
Oh, well - 'spose you can get used to anything?
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o tim...that seems a bit dissapointing-we had high hopes-any chance of a refund from the seller?or do you think you'll get used to it?
shame about that.... :(
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Don't be put off the machine, kitty - I think it's well designed (apart from assembly, which applies to the Mantis as well) & it looks & feels the part.
Heavier than I would wish, but that's just an age problem, & can be an advantage in operation.
No, no thought of returning it. And that releases the Homelite (sold) & the Mantis electric.
Oh, Roy - yes you can easily push-pull.
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tim..check your p.m's please!
kitty
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;) Thanks Tim for the prompt update, my pen is poised over my cheque book.
Could I ask a few more questions please?
• Does it come with a 5 year warranty?
• Did it include wheels in with the price £300?
• Did they charge for delivery?
• When in motion can you pause with the Honda?
• It has a 9” diam tine, will it only dig down 4½”?
• Why use with one set of tines?
Finally is this the place you purchased from? http://www.wlandajones.co.uk/default.asp
Sorry for all the questions. ::)
Roy ;D
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at least we'd know what tims mastermind subject will be! ;D ;D ;D
sorry roy-you've started so you'll finish! ;)
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;D ;D ;D
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1. Someone observed on this - 2yr, + 3 if annually serviced.
2, Yes.
3.£10.
4. Not too sure of your meaning. It's either go or no go on the clutch. Unlike bigger machines with variable speed, & like all other small ones, it's flat out or nothing! Hece 'fluffing'.
5. An nteresting point. The 9" tines are shrouded by the 'stone guard' (whatever). So, although the tines can go down to their full depth, any claims - as in the Mantis - of 10" mean that the guard would be buried?? On the Wolesley I took the guard off but with these I think it's integral.
6. For narrow hoeing? But I shall be interested to see how well it can be made to propel itself in narrow quarters. The Mantis has a hoeing mode for the tines. If anyone can be bothered to change over claggy tines in mid-stream. I can't!!
7. Yes - &, if you buy, ask them where my commission is!!
8. NEXT QUESTION?
PS Come & try it? You're only 45 miles away??
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tim-you have answered 7 questions and no passes.....
i think you ought to have an 'open day'tim...charge a fiver a go with your machine(a bit like donkey rides!)-and you get your work done for you into the bargain! ;)
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;D Thanks again Tim you scored 7 points which puts you in the lead ;D I am definitely having one, will phone around 9am unless you know they open sooner, I prefer to chat to them rather than use the net as I might think of some more questions to put to them ;D
Its been raining cats 'n' dogs here so I presume the ground will be a little easier to to chop up and will certainly christen the shiny new machine :o
Oh question ( 8 ) how long did you wait for delivery? I'm like a kid with a new toy here :-[ ;D ;D
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Thanks for all the info Tim. I think I'm correct, sounds like you like it at the moment. One question as regards noise ? is it bearable for any length of time or would you recommend ear plugs ?
So you going for it as well Roy ? let us know how you get on. Me I'm still waiting on this bigger rotovator, should hear some news by the weekend. If not I'm sure I will purchase the little Honda.
Look forward to some images on its ability.
Thanks dd ;)
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Roy - overnight! They are very helpful.
But let the soil dry a litlte before you churn it up?
dd - noise is fine. On tick-over you can barely hear it.
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Well here's hoping I can hang up my fork and spade for a while and now knock this clay into some sort of substance that will grow veggies ??? ;D
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Roy! Is that a home grown avitar?
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That's just one of his seedlings!!
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Roy! Is that a home grown avitar?
It's in my garden but spent most of its life (50 years) growing in Tasmania, their trunks grow approx 1inch per year :o ;D
You can view our tiny garden and many other exotic gardens in my Webshots album, it really needs updating, I'll get round to it one day. ::)
http://community.webshots.com/user/roybhamuk
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2nd thoughts - it's quite a bit noisier than a lawnmower. A harsher noise than the Wolesley - which, anyway, can run as slowly as you wish - but much less shattering that the 2 stroke.
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I got it the very next day, hows that for service, well done WL Jones ;D I had a bit of trouble starting it and feeling red faced my daughter came to my rescue by pointed out that it works better with the fuel tap turned on :-[ ::) I thought I did because I remembered Tim mention it earlier :-[ ;D I was cheeky to the salesman and asked what freebies have we got ??? like oil, he said OK will send and he did. ;D
There is a depth bar that replaces the wheels and I feel sure I could make a plough attachment to fit to it :-\ ;D it came with a manual and a service book and all the nuts and bolt were there. :)
It did an excellent job in between the potatoes for earthing up it mad mince meat of my little beds, on my new plot I had dug clods about 4sq metres and it tackled it with no problems, highly recommended, although I can't compare with anything as this is my first. ;D 8)
I'd call it a Rotavator not just a Tiller 8)
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Glad you are so obviously pleased with it Roy but could a feeble woman handled one do you think? And I don't want any cheeky remarks ;D
MM
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s'ok roy-i'll do 'em.. ;)
she's a weak and feeble woman...
tim would call her a little old lady-for reasons best known to himself he reckons he can out punch her.
personally i wouldnt want to try it....i've met her..
shes not that weak and feeble...... :o
anyway-glad you like the machine-sounds like theres no stopping you now!
have fun!
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you mind what you say kitty, or I'll come and sort you out in july ;D ;D ;D
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eek! :o
actually-it was a different mm i was referring to-shes left now..completely different person..not a bit like you! ;D ;D
:-X
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Glad you are so obviously pleased with it Roy but could a feeble woman handled one do you think? And I don't want any cheeky remarks ;D
MM
Yes, but not for lengthy sessions, you can do small areas and rest up (switch off) or let the engine rest while you pause for a breather but don't let go of the handle bars :o run half throttle to till the surface area, (quite easy going) or full throttle if you want to dig down deep (hold tight on the handle bars :o) this baby digs :o ;D
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is this the 32lb cultivator roy?
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Yes most sites say 14.5kg = 32lbs but this one says 16kg = 35.27lbs probs a typo :o http://www.garden-machines.com/acatalog/Honda_FG201_Tiller_by_Garden_Machines_uk.html
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Glad you like it Roy, cant wait to see some images with the beast in action. Still not convinced the larger machine I'm waiting on will be the one for me. My soil is very fine at the moment, all I will be asking the tiller to do is work in some compost or growmore into the soil in preparation for sowing. Sounds like the little Honda could be the one.
;)
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DD you won't need anything bigger than this baby especially if your soil is fine already it will sail through it half throttle :o ;D
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Thanks for the quick response Roy. I think the reason why I'm waiting is because of the anticipation of getting a good deal, compared to the gut feeling of what feels right for me. Should find out Friday what make and how much. All we have been told is it was bought about 4-5 months ago for about £450-500 pounds. The contact seemed to think he was asking about £100-150 for it. (sounds to good to be true). All I hope is MR Jones has plenty in stock should I need one. Will keep you informed as to the outcome.
DD
Happy tilling!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
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ROY - petrol? Why do I bother!! But you notice that the tap works in the reverse sense??
'Half' throttle? I think that you may find in the book that that can cause damage??
The 'delicate sex'? I still believe that a girl should try the thing out first. Rotovators are not the easist things to handle. Unless I've been just plain stupid for 45 years! Trials available here!
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'Half' throttle? I think that you may find in the book that that can cause damage??
:o Oops! What have I said :o disregard the half throttle comment :o I lost the will to read with the excitement ::) What page was it on Tim, I couldn't see the wood for trees with all those pages of foreign instructions ???
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Just muscling in on the woman and rotovators debate. I think we should be allowed to try before we buy as most lawnmowers my OH has ever bought have been completely horrible to use. He bought me a petrol job last year and I'd be happy to use it if I could ever get the bleeping thing to start. I get so angry I could smash it to bits. Anyroad (luckily) he's broken it using it to mow our overgrown allotment :o He's been given a Honda lawnmower (great big thing) must have cost someone a fortune! His mate had it stolen and the police have returned it but it was damaged. He's replaced the blade so we should be back in action on the plot soon. I don't think I'll be able to use it as it's huge and very heavy but he says is self propelling. Don't like the sound of that ... I could find myself in the next county very quickly ;D
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Page 33 - CAUTION!
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everybody move out the way while wardy gets the hang of The Beast! ;D
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This is the one you really want!!
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flippin 'ek tim!
do you get a cowboy hat with it?
looks too much for a wafw!i shall stick with the dainty 'betty'(named her after miss boothroyd-well.....she was a tiller too.......)
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Tim I bet that cost more than my car ;D Bet it's faster anorl ;)
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Tim, what did that one cost? and does it cut through un-dug ground?
Andy
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Page 33 - CAUTION!
Thanks Tim ;)
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For those who haven't used these things before:
1. Where a depth bar is fitted, DON'T try to hold the machine back by pulling - just press down on the handles.
2. When it starts to bury itself, just rock from side to side to bite the tines in.
A point of interest - I ordered 2 spare Split Pins & 2 short Bolts with Nuts.
Machine cost £300 - spares cost £12. So much for my commission!!
PS The big Honda isn't mine !! It's the one the turfers used in daughter's garden next door - it happily tore up her 40 year old lawn.
You've seen the result elsewhere. Good for cricket!
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Have just been to collect OH brushcutter and while there I looked at the Honda. Nice looking machine and I could certainly pick it up and put it in the back of the car. But if it's 16kg its got to be about 37lbs. Anyway it's going to be very hard to choose. But if we don't win our battle to stay on our lotties I might not need to make a decision at all. Hopefully we will know more on that score by the end of June.
MM
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Fingers crossed. Sadly, we need another real war to persuade that lotties are our backbone?
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Thanks Tim, ours are crossed too
MM
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I don't want to set the cat among the pigeons (well actually I do, but I'll deal with that another day) but my little Mantis appears to be able to do twice the work of bigger machines:-
Before:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/meatpaste/the_jungle.jpg)
and after:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/meatpaste/pic24.jpg)
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PETEMASON!!!!!!!
you're nose will grow and your toungue'll turn black!!!!!
;D ;D ;D
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Liar, liar, pants on fire ;D
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Doesn't steer very straight though, does it??
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hahaha!
that your plot tim?
veeery nice too!
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Yes - a bit of it! My back!
May I. without being too succinct, warn against being over-excited by the appearance of a tiller once-over. Looks great, doesn't it? But check. That's about 2" deep. If you do that year on year, you'll be in trouble.
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okey dokey!excitement quelled! ;D
you're being succinct again! ;)
why is that?-the tillering year after year being a bad thing?
is it because it needs a deep digging evry once in a while?
please explain to us novice tiller girls!(i'm including you here roy!!! ;D
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and me
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I have to say that I have not actually proved this by having noticeably poor results, but all the guide lines suggest that any tiller will 'pan' the soil, especially with clay, creating a barrier to drainage &, I imagine, root development.
As said, a bit of digging here & there is very desirable. I'm open to flak on this, but it seems a reasonable thought?
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As said, a bit of digging here & there is very desirable. I'm open to flak on this, but it seems a reasonable thought?
tim,you'll always be made very welcome at Kitty Acres to practise your digging! ;)
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Tim
Pardon my ignorance and I am sure that I am well off the wall with this remark but here goes anyway.
When I am doing seminars I always say 'there is no such thing as a daft question, twenty other folk are dying to ask and daren't'...my daft question is......
I have a Mantis Tiller and it certainly goes down more than two inches...a lot more. I accept what you are saying about the possiblity of 'panning' BUT...
Surely the principles of 'no dig' gardening come into play here and Mr Worm plus his family helps us out?
Be gentle with me :-\
Derek
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Tim do you mean 2 inches deep after treading down the fluffed soil? My Honda appears to dig down to the shield (9"diam.) but haven't measured depth after treading down ??? will check ;)
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Gentle? After 3 1/2 hours gardening already, I couldn't be much else!!
No dig? Good stuff - but the subsoil hasn't been hammered down into a 'slide' by frantic blades.
Depth? What I showed was a once over, to demonstrate that what looks like deep tilth is actually 2" of soil fluffed up like an angry tom.
Yes - it'll go deeper but not, in my experience, in one easy run? In fact, this machine, as I've said before, seems to want to bury itself. Making it quite difficult to urge along.
As for the piddling transport wheels - if you have a barrow, & if you have anything but a flat access, I find that the barrow is far easier!! Had it fall on its side several times.
Learning curve? Oh, & if it falls over after running for some time, & won't re-start, wait 15 min.