[bikerjohn]

I took delivery of a new Mantis a short while ago, so I am just posting to let you know my thoughts.  Initial impression, after using it about four times, is that it is an excellent machine.  My allotment , or three quarters of it, was overgrown, mainly with couch grass.  I treated this with Roundup, and I was left with a load of yellow thatch.  The rotovating was a two part process, removing the dead couch, and then rotovating.  The Mantis tore through the thatch, but, couch grass being as tough as old boots, the blades had to be frequently cleared.  The soil is very compacted, and hasn't been cultivated for some years, so it is too much to ask to just rotovate it and that's that.  Whilst the Mantis will burrow down into the compacted soil, I found the best way was to break up the surface, and then the Mantis comes into it's own.  With very little effort, it leaves the soil in a nice fine tilth.  A rake over, and the soil is ready for use, looking very neat indeed.  It started easily after three or four pulls from cold, and started immediately when hot.  When ticking over it was very quiet, and quieter than the usual two stroke machine when working.
So overall, an excellent machine.  Very light and manageable, but surprisingly powerful.  It will till a surprisingly large area very quickly, and leave the resultant fine tilth looking very neat indeed.  It will work to a depth of about 10".
Recommended.
John.

[crowndale]

Thanks for that, I did wonder if such a small machine was a useful addition to an allotment or not.  I have been looking at the honda F110 (I think!) which is slightly bigger, anyone got one of these to compare to a mantis?

[richyrich7]

That's great John, thank you.

[shaun]

well written biker do you find it easier if you tilt it slightly so it digs in harder ground.
welcome to the mantis fan club
i bought a lawn edger for mine (i havnt got a lawn but my mother-in-law does)and is brilliant realy easy and effortless.

[bikerjohn]

Hi Shaun,

Yes, it is easier to tilt it in harder soil.  I found if you move it in a sort of circular motion, that helps too.  I got a good deal and luckily there was an edger included, but haven't given that a try yet.  I also like the ease of transport, as I don't want to leave it in the shed, it's so easy to pop in and out of the car.  Terrific machine.
John.