rotavator ?

i'll be buying my first rotavator soon, any does and donts please as i cant afford to get this wrong 

many thanks
Daz

This is a how long is a piece of string question. I would not like to try turning part of a grass field into a plot with that Badger. I've done it with a Merry Tiller Major and that was not easy. Lots of people on here swear by Mantis but often add something like "I dug the plot over first" which to me negates the whole point of having a rotovator. For big areas, old style, wheels at the front, tynes at the back are probably best but lots of Chinese ones have come in recently and their durability is suspect. Big names like Honda, Merry Tiller and Mountfield are strong, and make good "mid tyne" machines for medium sized plots but they cost big money new. For small areas of already cultivated soil, a Mantis or Honda's equivalent could be the answer.

I cope with my plot that always seems to go to wilderness over winter, I have a small 3hp Handy rotovator, basically I strim it to ground level, then tackle it with the rotovator, first pass you have to stop a lot to clear the weeds and mud from the tines, with clear tines you can slowly break into virgin territory, but go slow, and clear the tines lots for the first pass, once that is done I redo the plot quite regularly until I plant up, and its always a couple of extra passes for a fine tilth just before planting. if its difficult going dont try and hurry the machine, just nibble small bites and you will get there eventually.
Grendel

i bought the honda 220 i think the model is without checking , does everything what i need to do on my 300sq yard allotment,seen them go for 200-300 second hand