using a mantis mini tiller

Hi,  i have just bought a Mantis tiller and want to use it to make life a bit easier.  i used to dig my veg plot but am finding it a bit more difficult lately - hence the Tiller!  the ground was dug over in the autumn but when i tried the Mantis it seemed to bounce rather than turn the soil. What am I doing wrong?  i am a 5'2" female but it seems light and looks easy to manage so it must be something i am doing - or not doing!  any advice out there please?

Hello and Welcome Cornwall Gardener. 

Yaxley is correct - will move to a more appropriate board (we don't have one for "ladies in distress" unfortunately!)

hello I have one  too have you noticed if the tines (spikes) are facing foreward that will be in dig mode if they face back they are in weed mode  try that see if its any better,also these work better walking backwards with them,hope this is of some use, from darren

 I don't know if you have one already,but if  you go to www.mantis tillers.uk.com you can request a information

  pack which has a dvd showing how to get the best use from it.   

Hello and welcome. Have you tried not running the revs too high (until the soil breaks down a bit finer). The Mantis tends to jump when it hits harder lumps and lurches away from you; also when using it imagine you're doing an upper body work out, extend your arms under control then slowly pull it back in through the digging stroke while keeping the handles down. Go over each section a few times until you're happy then move backwards a step.
Good luck with it.