My Garden

looking for a garden tiller

Last post 09-10-2009 10:08 PM by Digger. 8 replies.

• 27/08/2009 11:40 AM
  Alison Munro Location: Meonstoke, Hampshire Joined on: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact I am thinking of buying a garden tiller for my quite large veg garden - my father used to have a Merry Tiller, but I am told they are no longer made.  What brands are recommended, and is there somewhere where second hand ones are on sale. Thanks. Alison Munro

• 27/08/2009 11:59 AM	In reply to
  BB Location: Hereford Joined on: 12 May 2009 Posts: 572	Reply | Contact Hi Alison, See the attached link which may be useful:- http://www.merrytiller.co.uk/machines_for_sale.htm   BB

• 27/08/2009 12:29 PM

  In reply to

  bogweevil Location: Joined on: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 2,043

  Reply | Contact I use a honda which are well made and reliable - I suggest hiring one in the first instance to see it they are somethng you can get on with - they can be surprisingly heavy.  The little tillers are I think rather puny: http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/MowDIRECT_HONDA_TILLERS_586.html  This is a good size for the amateur: http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/acatalog/HONDA-FG315-TILLER.html   It has swingable handles which I like, height adjustment looks good enough for people of proper tallness such as myself, and it has reverse that protects your back and helps in tight spaces and plenty of power so the job is done quickly.  Second-hand ones are quite feasible and if you know how to fix minor engine faults then they can be very good value.  Local classifieds have worked for me when I want to buy one.   Boggy   Beware the bat-eared bogweevil

• 27/08/2009 06:50 PM	In reply to
  David Location: Sevenoaks Joined on: 11 May 2009 Posts: 98	Reply | Contact If you have access to power the Electric Mantis has many virtues. Smooth, very powerful and can be used  on a Sunday "de bon heure" without enraging those late riser urban folks Member 29971

• 27/08/2009 10:40 PM

  In reply to

  Aging Misery Location: woking Joined on: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 78

  Reply | Contact Evening all, I have to my dismay used all the above - boggy is right I think that you need a 'mean chugger' of a machine to break new ground or rough cultivate ('plough') - we still have to use ciggy filters to start mine!. The mantis is a lovely tool that can create a fine tilth / seed bed very quickly in dryish soil whilst the 'merry tiller' jumps around and breaks new / compacted ground. Remember tho' all of them can create a nasty pan if used to excess or incorrectly Beetling ahead....maybe.........?

• 28/08/2009 06:03 PM	In reply to
  Susiq Location: Northumberland Joined on: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1,104	Reply | Contact My petrol mantis is one of the best things I've ever bought - 'nough said!

• 07/10/2009 11:10 AM

  In reply to

  James Gardner Location: Cambridgeshire Joined on: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 29

  Reply | Contact For large areas I use a Husqvarna rotorvator from my local hire shop and it is the best machine I have ever used ( and there have been a few). But I have owned a couple of snmaller machines as you can't usually hire them, they are not robust enough for the hire trade. They are also not robust enough for me either but I have a well equiped workshop and adapt them to make them much tougher by doing away with things like the cables that engage the drive as they snap about every twelve hours of use and though they are cheep to replace it's very anoying to have to do it so often. I fit them with good strong metal levers to engage the drive which will never break. THE LAST ONE I BOUGHT HAD THE PIN ON THE BACK FIXED TO A VERY STURDY BRACKET WHICH WAS IN TURN WELDED TO A THIN SHEET METAL PLATE! Consequently it ripped the whole back end of of the machine. I have now welded it back on with new brackets and it will not fail again. But despite all this these small machine do work extremely well and are well worth the investment of a couple of hundred pounds. If you can find one though try and get an old machine, they made them much stronger and any lawnm,ower shop will be able to repair and maintain it for you. James Gardner

• 09/10/2009 10:06 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact I have a mantis petrol tiller and also a bigger 5hp rotovator, the big one conked out though, i suppose if i had a bigger area to plough I would use a mini ride on tractor with a plough or get in with the mini digger and turn the land over really good. digger

• 09/10/2009 10:08 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 4,743	Reply | Contact btw if anyone would like to have my old big rotovator they can come and collect it for nowt! it's a Norlett, with a briggs and strat engine digger