We link to vendors to help you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our links , we may earn a delegation .
This spring I had to substitute my favorite garden implement , my Mantis 2 - cycle per second cultivator .
This is the little red cultivator that you see advertised everywhere in garden magazines and on video gardening shows . If I commend those previous ads in Organic Gardening magazine about 30 years ago , the Mantis cultivator used to be nicknamed the “ Little Wonder ” .
I believe it then , and I still believe it .
My first Mantis 2 - cycle per second lasted through ten seasons of punishing use , with no repairs . I wore it out .
I like it so much , I purchase a 2nd one , and had it for nine seasons before I don it out , too .
I ’m spill seriously large garden here , where I grew enough to feed a category of five during the summer with enough in the freezer and buttery to last through the winter .
One year when extra events take my time ( wedding , graduations , etc . ) I acquire my 2nd Mantis in to a local shop that worked on them to have it “ tune up up ” .
They did the annual sustentation tasks for me and adjusted the carburetor . That ’s the only time I ever pay for any employment to be done on any of models . I think the workshop charged me about $ 30 , and that included a new spark plug , air filter , and pair of bottles of vegetable oil , too .
There are only a few wide-eyed yearly maintenance tasks to do with the Mantis 2 - cycle tiller , and they are easy enough for anyone to do . The manual of arms tells you how , with picture and instruction manual .
A young model also comes with a DVD that tells you everything you need to know , too , for those who like the TV explanations . Each year , you need to change the spark stopper and check the gear grease .
Check the fuel filter and the fuel line every so often . And if you operate your cultivator in a cold environment , which I do , the air filter will need to be cleaned every few hours of use .
Speaking of the manual of arms … it is double-dyed . It feed you detonate diagrams of the intact cultivator including assembly .
If you postulate a part , you’re able to call the company and find exactly what you demand , and you’re able to see on the button how to instal it . They are very helpful , and will answer question if you do n’t understand the DVD or manual of arms .
include the purchase damage , the gas and oil , and one-year sustainment function of $ 10 or less , my machine is the least expensive small-arm of equipment I own .
include the yearly restoration of solid food , my Mantis has netted me hundreds of dollar bill per yr .
Points to consider if you are shopping for a garden tiller.
Mantis guarantee their tine against breakage for life sentence . They are a singular , patented “ serpentine ” plan that appropriate them to really chop up up weeds and lummox of grunge into a fine consistency . Really .
I ’ve never seen or used a machine that stimulate such a nice planting soil consistence as the Mantis tiller . I ’ve had Ariens and I ’ve used Troy - build and other tiller , and they do n’t have a candle to this small workhorse .
The width of the tiller is 9 inch . It till to 10 inch thick . you could grind deeper by shoveling out the tilled soil and incline the machine again through the trench .
This is great to preparea deep planting bottom for potatoesor root crops . you may also employ this method acting to dig mess for planting Tree and shrubs .
In about five minutes you’re able to have a skillful jam cut into for a lowly shrub , with beautifully pulverized soil to replace around the root nut .
The intent of the tine really does break through hard clay stain , too .
Some surface area of my G were bulldozed / rate over 40 years ago when the house was ramp up , and in some places there is a nice inscrutable layer of topsoil , and in others it is only a few inches deep with hard clay underneath .
My machine digs up that Lucius DuBignon Clay and mixes in compost completely .
The Mantis 2 - cycle will turn even thick lawn into powderize planting soil in instant . place the tines for tilling , and simply go over the area a few times until it is tilled .
To educate a antecedently planted area , turn the tine around ( wide-eyed , no tools ask ! ) and the patent position of the tine will naturalize two to three inches bass , removing weeds and air the soil .
you’re able to civilize as snug as you want to existing plant , because you’re able to easily see where the tines are working . expend this minuscule wonder in raised beds , small expanse , and to ready area to found bulbs .
One of my favorite use for my Mantis is to chop and turn my compost pile . It sacrifice me implausibly stark resultant role and is the reason my compost cook up so tight and is so adorable when it ’s land up .
The Mantis has an easy recoil starter . Mine always set forth on the first or second pull , and I can moderately much hold the tiller in one hand and pull the cord with the other … no grapple with the thing at all .
The off - on on/off switch is right on the handle , as is the throttle . The company says that the gearing box is “ virtually indestructible ” , and through all the hard use I ’ve given my Mantis tillers , there has never been any variety of problem with the power train box .
The entire macine weighs only 20 pound . It is easy to stockpile anywhere . The grip fold down so it will equip in any car trunk and it take very little space to lay in .
you’re able to buy optional attachment , too . I buy a kickstand with my first Mantis and I ’ve moved it from one mannequin to the next through the years .
I have the dethatcher , and that thing play better than any lawn mower fastening or other equipment I ’ve date . It replaces the tine gathering ; it only takes a couple of minutes to make the replacement .
You just run it over your lawn and let it do its affair . We execute the lawn mower and bagger over after dethatching to beak it all up . Does a neat Book of Job .
We also have an edger , which is nice around concrete area , of which we have few , but it makes nicely prepare sharpness on bloom and herb bed where they meet the lawn area .
There are two sizes of hedging trimmer attachments for the 2 - wheel mannikin . I do n’t have a hedging trimmer joist , but I keep thinking about it .
The Mantis site outlines their 5 year warranty on their tillers .
Yes , five yearson theatrical role and craft . That ’s in improver to the life-time warrant on the tine breakage .
They also have a “ apply it devoid for a class ” trial offer and free transport if you order from the website .
quick to add a Mantis 2 - cycle cultivator to your toolshed ?
Mantis 7924 2 - Cycle Plus Tiller / Cultivator
Find it now from the Mantis Storeavailable via Amazon .
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Cartesian product exposure via Mantis . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Lynne Jaques
