Forums Archive Index > Other OPE-Reviews Only Please > Mantis 2-cycle mini tiller/cultivator

Author: Termy

Date: 22 Apr 2006 9:14 pm

Mantis 2-cycle mini tiller/cultivator



Almost everybody you know has a garden, and some like to have vegetable gardens. To make the ground fertile for planting, sometimes you have to till it and even more so if you have clay soil! People run into issues when they just want a small perennial or vegetable garden because they are running full size tillers and they can’t move them around properly to till the garden because they have no room! With the size of the Mantis tiller, you can get into the smallest of places and with all the attachments they make for the tiller; you can’t go wrong at any rate! In this review, I will explain why this is such a great tiller!

The Mantis tiller uses a 2-cycle 21cc commercial engine; though you may think that is not a lot of power, wait till you see it in action! This engine is not hard to start at all, but for those who have a hard time starting 2-cycle engines, Mantis makes a easy start kits for these tillers. This engine likes a 50:1 oil ratio that translates to 2.6 ounces of 2-cycle oil with 1 gallon of gas. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about that because Mantis sells a 2-cycle “handy item kit” that includes 6 bottles of pre measured oil, 2 air filters, 1 sparkplug, 1 transmition gasket, and 2 cotter pins. Handy item kits are sold for $20.00

When I use my Mantis tiller, I use a forward and reverse motion like using a vacuum cleaner. This allows the tines to dig into the ground easier and better. I noticed the tiller had some trouble when going through some grass that was growing through the garden; it wanted to pop up and down on the surface. I find if you give it 1/4 throttle the tines will dig into the soil better. Then you can give it full throttle to really break it up and finish the job. We have al lot of clay soil over here so it really puts this tiller to the test and I have to say it did a pretty good job! However, I find that this tiller is not really great for starting new gardens where you have to dig through heavy sod, use a full size tiller for that.

Did you know that Mantis makes many different attachments for the Mantis tiller? The attachments are always easy to install, all you have to do is remove the cotter pins on the tines, remove the tines, put the new attachment on, and install the cotter pins. The border edger attachment comes with every purchase of a Mantis tiller however, other attachments do not. I purchased the dethatcher attachment to dethatch my lawn and I have to say that it did a really good job! It is made up of 60 steel spring picks that turn and dig out the thatch! They make the following attachments for the Mantis tiller…

Planter/Furrower
Border Edger
Lawn Aerator
Lawn Dethatcher
Aerator/Dethatcher Combination
Crevice Cleaner
24" or 30" Trimmer Bars
Wheel Set
Plow Attachment

This tiller retails for $350.00 brand new but as you can see, it is well worth the cost when you consider what it can do. This tiller only weighs 20 pounds, so that means anybody can use this! Because of its size, it allows you to get into small places that a full size tiller cannot! This engine is easy to start, but for those who have trouble started 2-cycles, Mantis makes a easy start kit. You don’t have to worry about mixing oil with gas so much because Mantis sells handy item kits for your Mantis that includes pre measured oil and other stuff for your tiller! This tiller does a great job tilling, but seems to have some trouble tilling through grass. And even though it does such a great job, this just cannot be used to start a brand new garden through heavy sod! There are many attachments that Mantis makes for your tiller that can allow you to do all your gardening and lawn needs! Go out there and buy yourself a Mantis!

Date Purchased: 04/01/06
Price Paid: $20.00 [retail $350.00]
Recommend: Yes

Author: lland
Subject: Mantis Customer Service

Date: 21 Jul 2006 1:54 pm

Don't know if many would remember but a while back I posted a review (similar to Termy's) on the old WTB site. In summary, I noted that the Mantis was the best little piece of OPE I had ever used. Small, light, but strong and just keeps on going, bouncing off rocks and just contiuing to do it's job. In fact, this past weekend, I planted a pretty decent size tree and used the Manits to dig the hole, just moving it around to break up the dirt, then scooping it out. Simple.

As for Mantis customer service, when I bought my Mantis, it had the old handlebars with the throttle being operated by your "pinkie." The next year, the handlebars were redesigned with an "index finger" throttle and bigger grips. I called Mantis to see if the new handlebars would fit my machine and if so, planned on buying a set. The rep who answered the phone put me on hold for a couple of minutes and came back telling me they would send the new handlebars the next day. No charge (I hadn't even asked for this). He said when the new ones arrive, put them on the machine (if I have any trouble, just give them a call and they will walk me through the installation...which was no trouble at all), put the old handlebars in the box and call them so they can arrange to have them picked up (at their expense).

Wonderful customer service...couldn't be happier.

LL