Anyone tried one of these?

[nilly71]

I've been thinking of getting a tiller/rotorvator but have limited funds. I found this on ebay and wondered what you all thought about them.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170458211469&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The other option is a Ryobi strimmer with tiller attachment. Unless anyone else has any ideas.

Neil

[nilly71]

[Le-y]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170458211469&ru=http://shop.ebay.co.uk:80/%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D170458211469%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_1269wt_939


i havent but i read about them in a book i brought the other day and aparently they're not too bad, dont go deep but not bad

[nilly71]

Thanks for adding the link, i have modified mine to work now :)

What was the book?
All I know is that they are from China.

Neil

[chriscross1966]

IT's definitely only a tiller, something that light isn't a rotavator :D..... I've got the Ryobi expandit attachment for my strimmer and it's great for seedbed preparation and scuffle-weeding, but it isn't up to the kind of serious work that even the smaller of my two Howards (A Bulldog) can (even thoguh it has a similar engine power)..... It's not intedend for the job either

chrisc

[nilly71]

I've already dug over the area so a tiller is all i would need. I don't need a strimmer so by the time I pay for a Ryobi and attachment it would be cheaper to buy the above, but a Ryobi would be easier to carry about and would be more versitile in the long run. The above looks like it would do the job quicker.
My shift pattern at work is changing soon, so i will not be over the plot as much.

I just can't decide :-\

Neil

[Le-y]

ok the book is called "the essential allotment guide" was on sale at my local shop.

and it says:

A Mantis Tiller

unlike a full rotavator that breaks up large areas of soil often a depth of a foot (30cm) or more, a Mantis Tiller produces a very fine tilth of soil to a lesser depth, around 8 inches to a foot (20-30cm) Max.

It can even be used as a mechanical hoe, chopping the weeds as the soil is turned.

The Mantis is very lightweight with a tiller width of 8 inches. it is therefore ideal for growers with raised beds as it can easily be lifted into and out of the bed.


Hope this helps

[nilly71]

Thanks :)
But this is not a Mantis(Mantis is a very well known brand name and retail at about 4x the amount).

I just wondered if anyone had heard of this chinese make.

Thanks for the time to reply.

Neil

[Le-y]

no i guessed it wouldnt be the mantis but the picture is virtually the same, hope the chinese version is good.

[flowerofshona2007]

Keep an eye on e bay for a 2nd hand mantis as you know you can get spares ect for it and even extra bits.
We have one and its great for getting a lovely tilth :)

[nilly71]

Keep an eye on e bay for a 2nd hand mantis as you know you can get spares ect for it and even extra bits.
We have one and its great for getting a lovely tilth :)

I have for the last week but all the closest ones sell for too much.

Neil

[lincsyokel2]

If your near lincoln, ive got a Mountfield 3.5 Hp to sell, runs, needs a bit of tlc, has 4 tines, ridger and 4 transport wheels.

[Jeannine]

Try the local shops that hire stuff out, we did when in the UK and got an exceptionally cheap deal when we bought our rotovater, it came with a guarantee as well.I am sure they have tillers too.  Worth a phone call or two XX Jeannine

[nilly71]

Thanks but i'm in Essex

I'll give them a try tomorrow Jeannine, Thanks.

Neil