Grow Your Own Magazine

hi im thinking of getting a mantis rotavator but im a bit worried if its big enough for large plot any one used one are they up to the job?

Hi Mutley welcome to the grapevine. I think really that it depends what type of soil you have. We have clay soil and the mantis cannot cope to begin with. My OH uses a big rotavator first and then goes over with the mantis which breaks the clumps of soil down nicely for planting.

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thanks our soils ok mostly, clays not a problem it was more the size I was worried about the plots 150ft /60ft so theres quite a bit to dig.

It will do it and it will be quicker than using a spade. You need to get the knack of using it though. If you hold the mantis in one spot it will dig down - it is no use just letting it go across the plot because it just tickles the surface of the soil.

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I've used a Mantis for several years on my allotment (we have clay soil). It takes longer than the more powerful 4 strike rotavators and is less effective at handling wetter soils than these are. However it does give a good till and is so much easier to cart around. It can only dig down about a spades depth at most - but does one need to dig deeper??!!

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George the Pigman

Mantis now do a 4 stroke job, so it may be worht thinking about ne of them. I've been pondering this for some time & still can't decide. By the tim I have I'll have dug all mine anyway !!!

The problem I've got is boulders .. you can't really call them stones when they stopped a 5hp rotavator can you but once I'f removed these ( base for new shed methinks) it won't be too bad.

The biggest plus I can see is that it is easy to transport & store as I couldn't leave it up the lottie for obvious reasons.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Hi

I got a mantis a few months ago afte spending 3 years cleaning up my plot, just in time to get a good tilth for carrots, and I am pleased to say for the first time I have carrots growing. I have quite a lot of stones and do have to stop and remove them from the tines every now and again. Wish I had got one ages ago, fits in the back of the car no problem. Got mine on ebay next day delivery for about £40 cheaper than the official Mantis site.

Well worth the money then Jlottie. I know a couple of people who swear by them & they so do a good job for seed beds.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

My 80 year old neighbour uses a Mantis on his clayey 10 rod plot and does well.

If use my Merry Tiller and Howard 350 8.5hp and pick the wrong soil-moistness then I either bounce ot horizon launch depending on machine.

Pick the day well and any machine will work well, if the choice is constrained then so is your machine. My neighbour can pick at will and does so!

PS Dry can be adjusted with a watering can or twenty, wet sadly cannot.

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Always thank people who have helped you immediately, as they may not be around to thank later.
Visit my blog at http://podsplot.blogspot.com/
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Hey Peter!! Why is there no link on your blog for Grow Your Own?

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Someone has owned up to reading it.

Will add one shortly.

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Always thank people who have helped you immediately, as they may not be around to thank later.
Visit my blog at http://podsplot.blogspot.com/
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/

Peter you know me - I read everything!!!

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Hi all new to this i purchased a secondhand ryobi strimmer its the one with the split shaft and it has a good range off attatchments available including a tiller it works well on my plot althogh its a little heavy but the unit cost me £50.00 quid and the tiller was £60.00 i think they are a good unit and a lot ch eaper than a mantis and also they were on offer at B&q warehose last week