[raeburg]

I'm looking to get a rotavator for my allotment (large plot but half chickens).  I've never used let alone owned such an item.  I was going to borrow my dads but some swine stole it   Advice please

[Gwiz]

A lot of folk go down the second hand ebay route. Unfortunately, they always seem to pay over the odds for what they get. You might be lucky and have an auctioneers close by to you. A lot of these places have a specialist horticultural auction every now and then. At least at these, you have the chance to go and have a look at what you're going to bid on.....
others hire a rotovator at first, and then buy one later if they get on with it. If you've never had a go at using one first, this might be a good idear.
If you're thinking of buying new, there are loads of makes and models, and all sorts of sizes, ranging from Tillers that you can pick up with one hand, to large machines that you need a trailer to move as there would be no chance of lifting them up into  the back of a car!
As to what one I would suggest, that would depend on how often you plan to use it, what kind of budget you have and perhaps most important of all, what type of soil you have.
Our allotment society has just bought a rather nice MTD rotovator, with crop protection discs and all the other bells and whistles. I understand they got it delivered in a box ( home assembly) and paid no more than £370, which seems like a bargain to me.

[raeburg]

Hmm lots to think about.  The soil is on the heavy side, but has been cultivated for many years until recently, about 18 inches down it turns to clay.  I can't be a very heavy machine cos I've got to get it to the plot on my own with no vehicle )it's impossible to get to unless you have a tractor).  I would imagine it would only get used a few times a year and only once the rough digging has been done by hand. Ebay looks expensive for 2nd hand and I don't think there's an autioneers nearby.  Budget is flexible but not bottomless.  One of the reasons for buying is that it'll cost £50 + just to hire one for the weekend!

[noshed]

Do you not know any strapping youths with spades? A few bacon sarnies might do the trick.

[raeburg]

Sadly no.  They all seem too interested in their wii's ...

[Kristen]

I don't like the Merry Tiller type - i.e. where the engine just propels the tines.  They bounce around, or dig for Australia and won't move forwards without a whole lot of pushing and shoving.

Like this: HSS Power Digger

I prefer the self propelled ones - the engine drives the front wheels, and the tines are at the back.  You mostly just have to steer. If you have lots to do then a mini tractor with a PTO and rotavator on the back is even better.

Like this: HSS Cultivator

I would hire one if its just a one-off, or even for once-a-year.

But once the ground is broken up I think the Mantis Tiller is ideal.  I have sort-of-raised beds (soil heaped onto the beds, rather than having boards to hold it in place, but we never walk on them) and the Mantis sorts it all out very quickly.
Mantis Tiller

[raeburg]

Thanks.  We have been doing all the rough digging by hand as there's a lot of bramble roots to get out.  It's also a pretty inaccessible site, I have trouble getting a wheelbarrow in due to the siting of the gate and shed.  If it were more accessible a friend would plough it with his tractor

[GrannieAnnie]

And whatever you do, DON'T buy a RALLY!!  they have counter rotating tines, so they go backwards and throw the soil up into the housing and if its damp it all gets stuck up inside!!!!!

(Anyone want to buy a 2nd hand Rally in very good condition??) lolol

[raeburg]

And whatever you do, DON'T buy a RALLY!!  they have counter rotating tines, so they go backwards and throw the soil up into the housing and if its damp it all gets stuck up inside!!!!!

(Anyone want to buy a 2nd hand Rally in very good condition??) lolol

Sounds like a "wonderful" design "feature" !  Looking at either a mantis or a 4 stroke Honda.

[Kristen]

"Looking at either a mantis or a 4 stroke Honda"

I have recently bought a Mantis - some discuss in another thread recently:
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=32934.msg404895#msg404895