[jason g]

i am currently looking for a new rotavator but not sure on what size to go for.

1. upto £550

2.my plot is about 200 sq yrds of good topsoil 1 spit down and then a hard pan of clay

3.would have to be portable enough to put in the back of an estate car

any recommendations please

[richyrich7]

Double dig it first matey to get rid of that pan a rotovator will only make it worse    or hire a tractor/plough to plough it deep 1st before rotovating.

Welcome to the forums btw  

[jason g]

thank you for the reply, does anyone use a rotavator here?.

if you had a choice to the budget above what would you go for.


im temted by the mantis or a small honda,but would my size allotment be to much for a machine that size??

[richyrich7]

Well yes a lot of us do use rotovators I've had a flymo DM in the past which is quite good little Jobbie not much good on uncultivated ground tho', I also have 2 mantis tillers great machine and very powerful but I still think they are better on cultivated ground. Even they say "get your plot ploughed before tilling 1st time",It's hard going without it being dug and they don't like the soil too damp either.

What I'd really like is a howard 350 or similar nice biggish machine from what I've seen.

I think our usual collection of rotovator fans must be on their hol's as normally you'd have loads of replies by now.

The mantis should cope easily with the size of plot you mention once cultivated.

[Caretaker]

I use a JCB 5HP, at least I think it is but would not like to lift it in and out of a car each time, I suppose you could wheel it up some planks to the back of the estate car.
All the best.
Reg

[Gwiz]

Hi Jason.
I think, if you're loading it into a car each time, I'd go for the Honda.
I like the mantis, But I think the honda is a tougher machine.
Or get rid of the car, and get a van+a merry tiller.

[Bigbadfrankie]

Hi Jason

I have a couple of machines. I think something like the Merry Tiller is very useful. I have a Honda F400 which is very similar (current model would be the F510). I have a little Howard 200 which I use a lot, its great between the rows and will churn up a row of lettuce ect mid season. Its a bit narrow and unstable for very rough ground. Dont much about all the new machines on the market.

[Trillium]

I'm with the gang on getting your plot roughed up first. When I started a new veg garden my sis offered to come with her Troy 5hp rotovator, but she wouldn't let me use it until I'd loosened the soil first with a spade. That was one long, hard day. The Troy itself took only 30 minutes to fluff up the loosened soil. Even now with my own machine it just won't dig in well each spring until I've loosened it a bit with the spade first, then it will dig its way to China if I let it  

[shaun]

anything thats driven by the wheels

[jason g]

thanks for the replies. i`m going to go for the honda fg 220 for £509

[Bigbadfrankie]

mmmmmn

[jason g]

thanks for the replies. i`m going to go for the honda fg 220 for £509

cracking machine ,used it the other day after digging it thriough the winter.i would recommend one to everryone

[Muddyboots]

I've had a Honda FG310 for about 3 years now and would thoroughly recommend it (or the up to date equivalent model).
By undoing the handles, it will fit into the back of a Ford Focus and I can just about lift it on me own, although it's a bit of a struggle!! Much easier when I can persuade the OH to lend a hand (more costly in chocolates tho)!!