Nepal pictures, history, people, facts

OK, since my idea of buying a chipper has been smashed, I'll ask about a smaller investment: In recent years, I've been wanting one of those mini-tillers. This would not be my main tiller. I picked up a good deal on a used Troy-Built Pony model many long years ago and it is serving me fine in getting my garden ready in the spring and (usually) cleaning it up in the fall after the season is over. I don't have enough room to space the rows so far apart that I can use the big tiller between the rows. I keep thinking a tiny tiller would be just the thing for keeping the weeds down until the plants get big. However, I was on the Mantis site some months ago and they had a video of theirs in use. The ground looked like it was already nicely tilled and yet the little tiller was jumping all around like it would be hard to control. So, who here has one of these (any model) and do you like it? Any advice here? Steve PS  I just went back to look at the video and they have a new one that makes it look a lot smoother: http://mantis.com/video.asp The video for their new 4-Cycle model shows what I was talking about as far as jumping around. http://mantis.com/video-4till.asp

smaller investment: In recent years, I've been wanting one of those mini-tillers. This would not be my main tiller. I picked up a good deal on a used Troy-Built Pony model many long years ago and it is serving me fine in getting my garden ready in the spring and (usually) cleaning it up in the fall after the season is over. I don't have enough room to space the rows so far apart that I can use the big tiller between the rows. I keep thinking a tiny tiller would be just the thing for keeping the weeds down until the plants get big. However, I was on the Mantis site some months ago and they had a video of theirs in use. The ground looked like it was already nicely tilled and yet the little tiller was jumping all around like it would be hard to control. So, who here has one of these (any model) and do you like it? Any advice here? I have a mantis, got it last year from Amazon.  At first I had lots of doubts such a mini could perform.  When it arrived I was immediately disppointed, what a job trying to figure out how to put it together, but finally I figured out those fercocktah directions and it was time for the big test.  Gased it up and pulled the cord, vroooom... started on the first pull.  Brought it over to my garden and tried it out, that thing was happy chewing dirt like a termite chewing wood in a lumber yard.  Oh boy was I surprised, I will never again pull out my 7 horse Simplicity behemoth to till previously tilled dirt.  The Mantis isn't designed to break virgin ground but once tilled that little whippersnapper can go all day and so easy it's actually fun.  Get one, you won't be sorry, in fact you'll wonder how you lived without it.

OK, since my idea of buying a chipper has been smashed, I'll ask about a smaller investment: In recent years, I've been wanting one of those mini-tillers. This would not be my main tiller. I picked up a good deal on a used Troy-Built Pony model many long years ago and it is serving me fine in getting my garden ready in the spring and (usually) cleaning it up in the fall after the season is over. I don't have enough room to space the rows so far apart that I can use the big tiller between the rows. I keep thinking a tiny tiller would be just the thing for keeping the weeds down until the plants get big. However, I was on the Mantis site some months ago and they had a video of theirs in use. The ground looked like it was already nicely tilled and yet the little tiller was jumping all around like it would be hard to control. So, who here has one of these (any model) and do you like it? Any advice here? Steve PS  I just went back to look at the video and they have a new one that makes it look a lot smoother: http://mantis.com/video.asp The video for their new 4-Cycle model shows what I was talking about as far as jumping around. http://mantis.com/video-4till.asp They certainly do work, unlike some products you get 'em home and it was a total waste of money.  A Stihl will cut four inches into the ground which can be disappointingly shallow but the soil's definitely fully turned. I dunno if others would go deeper. It's also just a narrow strip of plowing. I once used a wide tiller to turn up a substantial lawn, tiring but fast; but if it had been a mini-tiller it would've taken a month. Mini-tillers can be hard to start and can really get frustrating pulling and pulling, so might be worth paying a little extra for a fast-start feature, and even then figure on taking to someone to service annually. I prefer to rent stuff or otherwise get a chance to use it before spending money on anything expensive. I used to live near a neighborhood tool-loan nonprofit organization but I moved from that neighborhood alas; you might ask around to see if you have one of those neighborhood tool loan organizations. Where I live now I got two pro-tool rental places and that can be expensive enough to justify buying. But renting it once will answer all questions about how easy to use and how useful it's really apt to be. My other reason for renting is such machines do shake apart and need at least an annual professionial tune-up

However, I was on the Mantis site some months ago and they had a video of theirs in use. The ground looked like it was already nicely tilled and yet the little tiller was jumping all around like it would be hard to control. So, who here has one of these (any model) and do you like it? Any advice here? The Mantis works great on already tilled soil.  I'm a fairly small female and I have no trouble dealing with the Mantis in my rocky New England soil, it does jump  with the rocks, but as long as you know it's going to, it's not a huge issue.  I've got the four stroke Honda engined Mantis and I love it - I had the two stroke and unlike many others I had no problem getting it to start season after season, I think I had it for five or six years before a tree landed on it and killed it - thus the new four stroke.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

OK, since my idea of buying a chipper has been smashed, I'll ask about a smaller investment: In recent years, I've been wanting one of those mini-tillers. This would I tried a Mantis then decided to get the mini Honda tiller.  Very nice machine, much better than the Mantis.  

OK, since my idea of buying a chipper has been smashed, I'll ask about a smaller investment: In recent years, I've been wanting one of those mini-tillers. I tried a Mantis then decided to get the mini Honda tiller. �Very nice machine, much better than the Mantis. � It's the same exact machine except for the type of motor (only advantage I can see is you don't need to mix gas), what else is better about it? I don't mind doing the two stroke mixture, I have other two stroke equipment anyway... and two stroke engines have more torque and last longer in dirty conditions.  My two stroke mantis starts first time every time, and tills its full 10 depth into previously tilled soil like it was tilling through butter.  I haven't started up my monster tiller since I bought the Mantis last spring.  The mantis is also far easier to clean before putting away than my monster tiller.