[bailey]

I have an area that has,nt been used for quite a while,, I have tried digging it and to be honest its hard going and due to time restraints I really need this area freeing up for other purpose,, so considering hiring something to break it up,, weeds are,nt to bad its the surface thats really compacted,, will a tiller do the job or would I have to go whole hog for the rotavator,, 

[barney rubble]

not sure if this might help

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=39038.0

its in the equipment topic postings

[Kristen]

"its the surface thats really compacted"

You need a self propelled (i.e. it drives the wheels, not just the tines) Rotavator


http://www.hss.com/index.php?g=62526

rather than a Merry Tiller type (that just drives the tines).


http://www.hss.com/g/62516/Power-Digger-Petrol.html

Personally I would use that type every time for preparing beds.  The Tillers jump around quite a bit, the Rotavtors just motor along gently and leave a nice swath of well tilled soil behind them.

Handle bars that can be offset, so you don't walk on your work, help.

having said that I do have a Mantis, which is brilliant for running through the beds at the beginning of the season, and I will also use it to break up the Potato bed when they are harvested.

We have very heavy soil, and owning a Mantis means I can get on the soil when the conditions are just right.  Hiring a bigger machine requires a lot of good guess work to get it on just the right day! but for opening up a piece of ground the timing is less critical - provided it hasn't set solid?!