Using the Mantis?

[kt.]

Had my mantis for a month and still to use it.  The ground has been too wet & I have been working away.  I have dug up perennial weeds.  Will the other greens be OK minced with the mantis or do people rotovate after clearing every bit of green.  I am aware of 1 weed becoming a thousand etc but just at what stage people rotovate.

[kt.]

[SMP1704]

Hi KT

If you are chopping up annuals, they should be OK.  Some of the more stringy/stronger ones can get wrapped around the tines.

I use mine to mix in manure or compost - it does a great job of breaking up the clay sods - but obviously I have dug it over first.

[kt.]

My mantis lost its virginity today.  Cultivated a previously weeded area of 30x5 ft.  I put in 30 Shallots and 100 Centurion onions.  Very pleased indeed.  I can see it saving me hours of hard graft 8)

[tomatoada]

Hi so pleased to read your comments.  I am hoping to use mine for the first time next week.  Any do and don'ts.  Did you use it in reverse and how easy was it?  Getting quite chuffed after reading your comments.

[hippydave]

the mantis only works in reverse because of the rotation of the tines, as you walk backwards it digs down that way you dont compact what you have just tilled when you want to weed you just turn the tines round (put them on the opposite side to what they were on) it then just cultivates the surface without digging down and becomes a very effective weeder but i would recommend the weed reducers because the weeds do tend to wrap round the shaft and can clog up quite hard.

[tomatoada]

Thanks Dave.  I must just check which way I have put the tines on.  I followed the instructions to curl them like your fingers.  I did not quite grasp the difference between weeding and digging but now I have .  Will think about getting the weeder.

[kenkew]

I have the Mantis Manual as a PDF file. Any good?
Ken.

[kt.]

I have the Mantis Manual as a PDF file. Any good?
Ken.

Could well be.  Mine is a 4 stroke.  Does it make a difference or is the manual universal?

[kenkew]

Operationally it should be the same. Stripping the engine down isn't covered any way, KT.
Didn't you get a manual with your new machine?

[kt.]

Didn't you get a manual with your new machine?

Yes I did.  A hard copy. Hard copies get well worn in time.  Electronic copies can be printed off as and when.  Checked on the mantis website and manuals can be downloaded.  Hopefully I should not have to do this.  Some people on this site have had the same mantis for 15-20 years and still going strong.  I hope mine does the same. 8)

[kenkew]

Had mine around 18 years. Doesn't get much use since I had to give up my plot. But it's sitting there with an expectant smile on it's tines.... :D

[Levi]

Did anyone twiddle with the H & L screws 'seasonally' as they advise?

[kenkew]

Did anyone twiddle with the H & L screws 'seasonally' as they advise?

You talking seasonal carb tweaking, Levi? If so; Run it for 5 min's first before you twiddle.