Rotavator Advice

[jonohanson]

I recently got a new plot due to moving and needed a rotavator, after much searching I bagged myself a Wolesey Cadet.

Any way, while sorting through a scrap pile on my allotment I found a disused rotavator, labelled Merry Tiller E, however it's in a bit of a state. It has no engine and the tines are very wobbly where they connect to the gear casing.

Is it worth restoring the old beast, or shall I just stick with the cadet? I know the MT has more attachments as the axle sizes are different to the Cadet, but those wobbly tines concern me, I imagine bearings need changing and this could be a big job.

Any advice appreciated.

[bearded bloke]

From your description + it was put on the scrap heap by the previous owner I would guess it was deemed "beyond economic repair", maybe store it while you price up the cost of parts & use it as a winter project.

[Alison]

Sorry, can't answer your specific questions as it's well beyond my knowledge but am guessing somebody can help . What I did wonder is why you felt you needed a rotivator (sorry if this has been discussed on another thread). Although they're great in some ways they're a menace if you have certain types of weed as my chopping up the roots you create 1000s of new plants. A friend of mine did thus and is still struggling - am glad she warned me against this path - may not be a problem for you, depending on the state of your plot but mine already has loads of bind weed, horse tail etc etc and I don't want any more.

[jonohanson]

They can be a menace, my new plot was mainly compacted soil and grass, I have dug off the grass but don't fancy digging by hand. There is a little couch grass and a few brambles but I hope to get these out once the soil is turned. My allotment is very close to home so any weeds I accidentally spread I can easily pull out at a smaller stage.

My old allotment (before I turned it to raised beds and sold the rotavator)was full of bind weed, when I rotavated that I did spread the bind weed, but I was able to keep on top by regular hoe'ing. I find naked soil will cover in weeds regardless.

Now if only it was so easy with slugs, I always seem to battle, and as my new allotment is next to woodland I fear I may have new enemy's this year!!

[Two_Sheds]

Any advice appreciated.

Don't rotavate, don't dig: you'll have the best soil if you mulch, mulch, mulch

[roitelet]

Don't rotavate, don't dig: you'll have the best soil if you mulch, mulch, mulch

I only double dig once when breaking new ground then mulch, mulch,mulch. DON'T use a rotavator for all the reasons other people have given.

[Bill HH]

Have to agree with two sheds. Even more so nowadays as my health prevents me from doing heavy digging. The merry tiller sounds like a lost cause anyway.

[plotman]

I rotovate my allotment twice a year. Once in the autumn and again in early year. I did hand dig the first two years to remove all weeds. Thankfully now apart from the odd brave annual im weed free. Think it gets the air through the soil which is good for root growth and keeps soil sweet. Helps drainage. Makes planting out or seeding a joy. I guess we all have our own methods but rotorvator works for me )

[Martin H]

Fair enough. I prefer to let the worms do my digging and aeration and would worry that a rotavator would chop them up into little pieces.