Mantis Operation

The mantis mini tiller got put together today.  I only had to rebuild it twice due to using the wrong screws in the right places.

I got some 2 cycle oil to mix with the new gas in the gas can and we were off and running.  Well, not quite.  I had to re-read the manual to make sure that the switch was turned on. It also highlighted the use of the choke.. it pulls out to start. 

I fired it up.. by pulling the cord the requisit times and away it went.

Some observations. 
Dad said that he wished he had bought a smaller rototiller for his garden because it would fit up closer to where he wanted to go. Mantis makes the smallest rototiller around although not the cheapest.  Its pretty much the same price everywhere.. 350.  That seems a lot for a 20 pound tool.  Professional gardeners swear by them.  After working it.. and it working me for the afternoon I could tell why.

On my clay soil without a pre dig, the Mantis bumped up and down as its tines tried to dig in.  If I pre- dug with a shovel just a little and turned the soi over once, the Mantis would pulverize the soil to the point that is often described in pie crust making as "small peas." So you can imagine having your planting beds made from nasty tough clay bound soil converted to 10 inch deep soil with the texture of pie crust waiting for the water.  You can plant anything in that.  So its worthwhile.

The price it extracts from the operator for this wonderful soil is two fold.  All my soil must be pre-dug and turned over before using this tool.  That is a job.  Secondly, when using the Mantis, there is a little kickback as it digs the dirt deeper.  If the first step doesn't wear you out the second one will.  But gardening is good exercise and who doesn't need that?   

:) Pat