Day one with Mantis Tiller

[OliveOil]

Ah I am so knackered, my fingers can barely type!

I sorted it all out myself - no help from any male... got it going and started on the patch i had previously dug and weeded and it was brilliant... so tomorrow is potato and bb and pea sowing!

The rest of the plot is still quite damp though a million times better than what it was... the creeping weeds combined with the wet soil meant i was stopping every metre to untangle and de mud... so will have to leave it another week or so til it dries out more...

Started clearing the weeds by hand and rake - the tiller def doesnt like creeping weed so that should help for next time.  I think once i get the worst done and keep on top of it the Mantis is going to be a great help.

[OliveOil]

[Deb P]

 ;D ;D
I overdid it the first day I used my Mantis! It's good fun once you get used to the way it works.

I shall hopefully be giving my potato beds a once over with mine next week if it stays dry........it's been way too damp so far this week, the soil just hangs on to the moisture 'coz it's clay.. :-\

[OliveOil]

Deb... lets talk technique!!

The rotavator wants to go forwards, i was holding it still until it dug down and then let it slowly go forward, then i was pulling it back again slowly... is this right??  it didnt seem to go deep enough just allowing it to go forward.

[Deb P]

You are doing fine!

I get best results by walking backwards, pulling the tiller towards me until it digs deep, then letting it pull away from me until I've done that bit deeply enough. Then step back, pull it towards me again etc. That way you do not walk on the bit you have just tilled, and you can keep going with the 'hoovering' type motion until you get the result you want, fine tilth etc. Hope this helps! ;D

[manicscousers]

or your arms give out  ;D

[OliveOil]

Ahh i'll try that tommorrow - good idea... though my arms are killing me already... didnt do a big area at all - spent most the time clearing mud and weeds... and the good soil only took about 5-10 minutes.

[tim]

Deb - that's the way it is 'in the book'!

[OliveOil]

I read the book but there was too many pictures and diagrams and words... it 'did my head in'. :o

[ruffmeister]

any piccys?

[OliveOil]

I'll try take some next weekend when i rotovate the next section.

I did try it backwards yesterday but it didnt work as welll - in the end i raked it LOL

It seems to  just drag the soil back and leave a big furrow when pulling it backwards

[windygale]

hi oliveoil, question does your plot look like this now, ,
this is what it looked like before, and this is the machine i used, it has a depth gauge bar on the back, the was i do my plot is to go up and down the plot then across, this way the blades cut deeper every time,
keep up the good work and place some picture so we can compare,
windy

[OliveOil]

I'll get some pics up... I'm also going to get my dad to take a look at the mantis... i'm sure it should be more powerful than it is - the tines are easily slowed down by nothing which doesnt seem right to me... or maybe its just me but walking backwards with it and letting it go forwards a bit didnt really work - it didnt want to turn when i was gently pulling it backwards... hard to describe.  Wish i'd got a poly tunnel LOL

[Deb P]

I'll get some pics up... I'm also going to get my dad to take a look at the mantis... i'm sure it should be more powerful than it is - the tines are easily slowed down by nothing which doesnt seem right to me... or maybe its just me but walking backwards with it and letting it go forwards a bit didnt really work - it didnt want to turn when i was gently pulling it backwards... hard to describe.  Wish i'd got a poly tunnel LOL

Have you got the tines the right way round?
Have a look in the instruction book, it shows you which way to put them for tilling, or just light weeding. Don't laugh, it does make a difference! ;D

It usually digs deeper and better when you pull it towards you, slowing down doesn't sound right unless your soil is really wet or full of ivy roots, that is the only thing I've found that slowed mine down!

[OliveOil]

I have the tines the right way round... even tried it in the other mode and it was even worse.

It was slowing down on the well dug over patch, no weeds, nice light soil....so it doesnt sound right does it! hmmmmm I'll see my dad, he will know!

[Deb P]

No that doesn't sound right.......hope your Dad can sort it!

I'm fed up with mine today...couldn't start it!!! Never had a problem before, new fuel etc, OH is having a look tomorrow...blokes stuff isn't it! ;D :-\

[OliveOil]

depends on the bloke Deb P... OH was umming and ahhing about the bloody shed guttering... I ended up putting it up on my own in about 5 minutes as i was tired of waiting for him!  Generally me and dad are the best in the family for handy things... I know why now i had my own set of overalls when i was 3yo... it's come in handy!