Rotovators

I've found that the trenching tool on the Mantis, with just two blades/tines, not four, can take down even a hard weedy patch with just a little perseverance.

Because I was far too late getting the digging done for the spuds, all I did was reverse the tines to chop out the annual weeds, then put the tines back on the spindle in forward trenching mode. Even on quite hard soil, after a few bounces, it dug in extremely well, such that I didn't need to dig at all, and all the annual weeds have died and are buried!

I know a Mantis is prone to bouncing over hard stuff, but the trick is to stand still and gently (perhaps just a bit forcefully sometimes), pull the machine backwards. That'll give it a chance to get down and dirty!

I couldn't handle a big machine these days, being a frail, silly old Growster, whimpering a few times, and wondering where all the years went..:0)

But a Mantis! Yeee Haaaah! It does all the work I need!