Allotments 4 All

We have just extended our plot and I've decided to rotovate the new patch.Its got a little top growth of the odd nettle and a few weeds nothing more and no masses of roots like our pevious land.It hasn't been dug for a few years but the soil is light.I have never used a rotovator before so can anyone offer an insight into using one? Like how hard are they to actually use and how effective? We can hire the camon 2000 which looks alittle like the merry tiller for £18 a day or something more industrial for £40 and im unsure what to go for.The area is 36 foot by 28 foot approx.Will the £18 one cope? As its cheaper and I can get it in the back of my car so can collect when the weather is right.Sorry the q's a bit long.

I would have thought so if the soil is light... on our heavy clay even the tank wouldn't turn it after a couple of years out of cultivation
::)

My MT turned over virgin clay no problem, and it's done the job 2 or 3 times every year since, there is a knack to using one though. It takes me roughly 3 hours to do my 11 rods now (with tea breaks)

http://www.allotment.org.uk/articles/Merry_Tiller_Rotovator.php

The camon shoud do the job ok ...Don't get revs too high .As MT says it is a knack.
Make sure your depth gauge is set then press down on handles to dig and lift handles slightly to move forward   ... Lots make a a mistake of trying to dig with full throttle ..Keep revs down  at first and you wil be ok ... Also if ground is hard do a shallow dig at first  breaking the top up then go deeper with following passes..

Cheers.. Jim

Thankyou all very much I will give it a go and see what happens.

MT's quote - "Depth
The depth bar is easily adjusted. It is best to go around three or more times, slightly deeper each time, than trying to go a foot down on the first go. "

And LOW revs!

My Howard Bantam handbook says to do the first run at 2 inches

Or even just scuff the surface to make a 'handhold'. You know what I mean!

Yes, I know what you mean Tim, just enough to give the tines some purchase

The surface has abit of a thatch which is mostly dead growth killed by frosts and weedkiller, will the rotavator go through this or will i need to scrape the surface clean?

It should turn that in no problem

Excellent news thankyou.