My Experience with the 4 cycle Mantis Tiller
Written: May 24 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great functionality, rugged, lightweight, works well, quiet.
Cons: Expensive, everything is extra, minor engineering problems.
The Bottom Line: Best small tiller I have ever owned
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| jimweil's Full Review: Mantis Tiller |
I purchased the unit with the Honda 4 cycle engine over 9 months ago. I chose the 4 cycle engine for several reasons: Honda reliability; quieter; cleaner burning; and less odors. I use it mainly to till a 20' x 9' vegetable garden with adobe (clay) soil. So far it has met or exceeding my expectations. It pulverizes the soil without a lot of clogging with rocks or weeds. It run significantly quieter than other brands I have used. It has plenty of power. It is easy to start. It mixes in soil additions properly. It is fairly easy to control. However all of this comes for a price. Everything to make it friendly is extra. That includes weed guards for the tines, kick stand so it stays upright when you work on it or start it, tine cleaner, aerator, thatch remover, crevice cleaner, etc. The list goes on and on. If you want all the goodies you can easily invest over $600 into the unit. Must haves include the kick stand, weed guards and tine cleaner. Figure about $100 extra for this stuff. They do throw in an Edger but I have yet to use it as I already have a string trimmer.
Like any unit it has a few minor negatives. For one thing it has a known engineering defect: If you tighten the knobs on the support handles too tight (easily done), the knobs become cross threaded by the 10/24 bolts. Then when you try to unscrew the knob it seizes and breaks off the bolt. This is covered under warranty but is an irritation. The solution is to spend less than $10 at you local hardware store for a pair of the bolts and better quality knobs. End of problem. Right now that is the biggest annoyance.
Technical support is friendly but one experience was with an agent that tended not to listen before answering and I had to repeat myself several time to get through to her.
The unit comes with a lifetime tine breakage warranty but no warranty for tine wear. Given their tempering and material it is unlikely they will ever break. That is why some dealers or substituting a similar Echo model (2 cycle only) for the Mantis unit and then selling Mantis accessories for it. The Echo unit is essentially the identical unit but without the knobs to fold the handle, the "free" Edger and the lifetime warranty on the tines. What you get in return is a lower price and a lifetime warranty on the engine. Replacing the tines out of warranty is between $50-$100. An engine is at least half the cost of the unit. You be the judge as to which is the preferred warranty. I am told that all the Mantis accessories fit the Echo unit and that Mantis uses the same Echo engine in their 2 cycle model. The handle knob issue is solved as discussed in the previous paragraph.
One other note of caution: if you do fold the handles for storage, watch your fingers and cables as it is easy to pinch both.
Overall I am satisfied with my purchase so far and will update this review when I use some of the accessories.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jimweil
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Location: CA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
30 years doing technical support and field engineering.
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