Mini Tiller? Honda/Mantis/Echo?

in-too-deep · Feb 19, 2019

Hi folks!

Which would you recommend? Talking about the little baby 2-stroke models with no wheels. For light work and cultivating. They all run right at $300. Which would you pick? I have plenty of time to decide, but spring WILL come!!! Thank you.

kris Jensen · Feb 19, 2019

Stihl: I have a combi tool power head with
a mini tiller which works great, also a hedge trimmer, string trimmer and
option for a few more.
highly recommended
Kris

gab · Feb 19, 2019

Bought this little Honda powered Mantis a couple of years ago, throws a lot of dirt but doesn't work as easy as women in the TV commercials make it look. Sweet running motor though.

Kansas4010 · Feb 20, 2019

I'm going to second the Stihl. I have one and I basically consider it a gas powered hoe. I plant my rows far enough apart to run a bigger tiller in between and use the little feller around the plants. For that it's great, it sucks gas though. They are not meant for tilling up entire gardens. My uncle has a Ryobi. I wouldn't recommend that one. He's had enough problems with it from new I think he finally threw it away. He might have just gotten a lemon but my Stihl is quite a bit heavier built.

BobReeves · Feb 20, 2019

I have an older Mantis, got it not running last year for $50.00. New carb and gas line and it runs great. Parts are readily available and easy to work on.

I used it to mix up the soil I put in a raised flower bed. But as was said "doesn't work as easy as women in the TV commercials make it look". It requires a bit of man handling but it does work as intended.

Butch(OH) · Feb 20, 2019

We have had a Stihl for 4 or 5 years now and I like it a lot. Not the combo tool but the one with the motor down low. Its a bit larger than what you are considering. I added a wheel kit to it and like it even more.

grandpa Love · Feb 20, 2019

My wife had a couple different gas powered ones over the years. I got her an electric Troy built a couple years ago, she loves it. Always starts right up! Couple hundred feet of cord and she can stir dirt anywhere.

DIM · Feb 20, 2019

I had a TROY built tiller and only got 1 year out of it. Also bought a Troy built string trimmer Was a piece of crap for day one. I now have tiller I got at Menards called a Earthquake So far It's be great.

rustyfarmall · Feb 20, 2019

Wife and I are both becoming too old to do very much weeding, but we DO like our garden, so we use PREEN for weed control.

Jegs · Feb 20, 2019

Yup, that's the same one I've got, nice little 4 stroke Honda (Mantis) have had it 3 years and it does the job.

Mike M · Feb 20, 2019

Mom has had a Mantis for years. She really likes it and I do too as It has held up well not needing repairs ! Lots of rocks at her place. Never broke a tine but did wear a set out.
I had another brand. It broke tines and rocks jammed up in it a lot worse. It had more of a "normal" looking tine instead of the pointed type like mantis has.
Get a Mantis you will not regret it.

gab · Feb 20, 2019

Do you remember what you paid for yours? Bought mine at a bankruptcy auction for about $170. I think, never had oil or gas in it.

47fivewindow · Feb 20, 2019

I am on my second Honda 4 stroke. I never greased the gearbox on the first one and it only lasted a couple years. I loved the job it did in the raised beds so I bought another. Advise? Read the manual, do the maintenance, don't loan it out.

T in NE · Feb 20, 2019

Hard to go wrong with Honda small engines.

ditchwitch · Feb 20, 2019

I see you didnt mention Stihl. But i bought one 1 1/2 ago and its a really nice tiller. I used to have a mantis but it finally just died had it for years. It was kinda like a old dog looked a little ruff (pun intended LOL) always there always helpful but was just time to be be put down. So bought the Stihl. Sure hope i get the years of service out of it as i did the Mantis.

mcrow4117 · Feb 20, 2019

I have a landscaping business and have had one of the Honda 4 stroke tillers for several years and no problems out of it amd it gets used and abused tilling and loosening up hard to get to areas in yards the skid steer and power rake can’t get to. I will buy another one when it plays out. I have had the ones that attatch tonthe Stihl power heads amd they are killer on your back if you run them very long having to hold them the way you do.

Texasmark1 · Feb 21, 2019

I bought a Mantis when they first hit the market....what 20 years ago? Had the things most of us have at the time for tillage. I'm in Houston Black Clay, not the stuff you see in the ads....sandy loam that has been pre worked for who knows how long.

Said right then, this is it. Haven't changed my mind. Have no idea as to the usefulness of other like items for sale today.........but, weight is definitely way up on the list if not at the top for me and right next to it or close is manueverability. Mantis is easy to start and run, light, plenty of torque, fits in tight places, and runs in any direction.....any direction....a cultivator's dream!

Mini Tiller? Honda/Mantis/Echo?

in-too-deep

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kris Jensen

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gab

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Kansas4010

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BobReeves

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Butch(OH)

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grandpa Love

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DIM

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rustyfarmall

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Jegs

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Mike M

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gab

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47fivewindow

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T in NE

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ditchwitch

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mcrow4117

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Texasmark1

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