[fallen angel]

Hi i dont have a clue when it comes to rotavators so was wondering could anyone suggest a good one and a good supplier? Not 100% sure i want one yet so im checking all of my options.

Many thanks Nicky

[Clampit]

I got mine off E.bay. It's a Honda 5hp jobby. I'm chuffed to bits with it, it seems reliable and does the job well. It took me ages to find a good second hand machine at a reasonable price.

[richyrich7]

Depends on what you want to spend & it to do. I've had a flymo DM in the past that was a lovely machine but struggled on uncultivated ground, now I have 2 mantis tillers which are a fab machine but they are very light and probably not the best choice for uncultivated plots,as the bounce around a lot, but the reduce a dug over area too a fine tilth pretty quick and surprisingly are quite powerful.They also dig in green manure well too.

[Bigbadfrankie]

When you get one you will be able to put a tick in the box

How big is your plot :?:

[shaun]

and another thought is transporting the yoke around,no good getting a big machine and you have no way of getting from a to b,

[richyrich7]

and another thought is transporting the yoke around,no good getting a big machine and you have no way of getting from a to b,

Good point Shaun thats the main reason I got rid of the DM

[Bigbadfrankie]

I have a little wizard (Cadet) its light for moving about and well balanced.
Digs good for 3hp. These came branded as Atco, Cadet , wizard so there must be a few around second hand.

[shaun]

it can be a bit pain in the neck getting mine down the plot,i cant get it on the back of the van on my own without starting it,so the neighbours take a dim view at 6.30 on a sunday morning when i fire it up and drive it up the planks  

[Bigbadfrankie]

Hell Shaun I thought a man like you would lift a mantis into the van :shock:

[shaun]

Hell Shaun I thought a man like you would lift a mantis into the van :shock:

 :roll:  :roll:  

[fallen angel]

When you get one you will be able to put a tick in the box

How big is your plot :?:

Hi its a chain by a quarter of a chain if im right thats 66 ft by 16.5 ft

Thanks for all the advice i will check it all out and decide if its for me or not.

Nicky

[crowndale]

It will also depend on how big you are yourself and how strong.  You can get an idea of the size of rotavators by doing a google (or similar) search.  some friends of mine have inherited a machine from other friends and it took two of them to lift it into their car, is no way I'll be borrowing it unless the husband (of said friend) does the donkey work!  On the other hand some machines are much smaller, like the mantis and some honda machines.  As already said you need to be able to transport it, lift it and use it when it is running so the main criteria is weight followed very closely, if not equally, by available funds.

I have a mantis, had a mantis (sniff- sorry tale) but even if I still had it I would still have cleared my new plot by hand initially as there were several perenial weeds and loads of bindweed along the edges plus millions of large stones, you really don't want a machine throwing up stones at you or cutting perrenial weeds into thousands of little pieces either!

[mikem]

I have a Mantis which I got at a local auction for £52.  It is great for breaking up the soil at both my allotment and at home.  I had a bit of garden that hadn't been dug over for at least 18 years apart from me digging up a few weeds underneath apple trees, gooseberries etc. - having used the Mantis the soil was great and ready to plant whatever I wanted.  It is also very light, the handles fold down so that it goes into the boot without any trouble.  Whatever you buy it will be great, I wish I had bought one years ago.

[Bigbadfrankie]

I don't own a mantis or anything close. I have much bigger kit. They look good and Shaun, Richy all think they are great. Even though Shaun has to drive his up ramps :shock: . I think for a plot under 1/2 an acre they are ok.