Mantis Gas Mini Tiller/Cultivator, 2 - Cycle

Pros: Perfect tiller for your backyard garden
Cons: Not for plowing the "Back 40", 2-cycle engines are noisy

I have a raised bed bordered with railroad ties in my back yard.  After trying to use a hoe to loosen the soil after a Chicago winter, my keen intellect and aching back told me there must be a power tool for this job. The criteria I set for ...

Pros: Light, reliable, trouble free
Cons: Will work you.

Purchased used and have had 6 years of troublefree service. It will work you and should be used for small patches. Wear soft gloves to keep down the blisters if you do much tilling. I use it mostly for raised beds-just pick it up. Blades are a bit flimsy and bend easily but you can adjust them to do the most good. Haven't used the mulcher yet as my lawn is very large and really needs a commercial unit.
Much better than the Toro/Ryobi/other identical brands. Try to keep them running, I know. They are junk in a couple of seasons and dangerous. When their phony gas line deteriorates they become a hazard in the shed or shop.
I highly recommend the Mantis, yet would I want to spend $200+ for a new one? Your call, but with their high resale value you wouldn't lose much.