[lightyears]

im looking around at the moment pick up an old rotavator for my allotment, thing is im not really clued up as to what to do.
ive seen this one on ebay, which seems pretty good but im after a second opinion.i dont really want to spend out and it turns out to be dodo lol

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250376028150

 

[Gwiz]

It doesn't "smell" right to me.
Wrong engine for a start.

[lightyears]

thanks for the onhest reply, what should i be looking for?

[Gwiz]

It really depends on what you want to spend.
Rather than going down the secondhand route (dodgy if you're not sure what you need, or what you're looking at ), why not invest in new?
There's quite a few bargains about at the moment.
there is a link on the home page of this site to a garden machinery specialist. That would be a very good place to start looking.
Also, what amount of ground are you thinking of rotovating?
there is a thread here about the little honda machine, that's pretty good value.
mowerland do a cheapy rotovator, as do Wyvale garden centres, screwfix used to do a cheapy, likewise machinemart.

[lightyears]

All my ground is now dug over, i am wanting something to keep it in trim. by the looks of it new might be my better bet
thanks 

[Gwiz]

Please note that I'm not recomending any particular make of machine, just where to start looking.
But the good thing about new is the warranty it comes with.........

just had a look at the home page link, here it is....
http://www.allotment-garden.org/greenhouse/rotovators/rotovators-low.php

[Bigbadfrankie]

How big is the allotment, are you going to take the machine home or leaveing it in a shed.
If you are handy with mechanical repairs, a second hand machine can be a lot cheaper.
And less value to leave in the lottie shed. Of all the tillers I have had the little Wizard was the best balanced and small enough to get in hatch back but these are all second hand now if you can find one.

[lightyears]

allotment is 200 SQ Metres, i trained a car mechanic with the police before i left so i am very handy with a spanner, i also collect vintage motorbikes, so they can be much different?can they? it will be living in my shed as i have nowere to keep it at home.

[Bigbadfrankie]

Get a second hand one in reasonaable condition. They are not complicated and if your a mechanic, repaires will be a piece of , well easy!!!!

[wighty]

Biggest reccomendation is not to lend it to your father in law.  We got ours second hand last year (would do a link to my excited post but don't know how to). He borrowed it and left it outside and now it doesn't work.  It's in our local garage to be looked at. He has promised to pay for repairs but I expect I'll have to smuggle it in through the Company books!

[Larkshall]

If it won't stand being outside, I would suggest you would be better off with another make. My old Wolsley Webb Merry Tiller Major stood outside for four or five years with only an alloy cover over the engine, still started easily. Now that I have a Mantis Electric and no longer use the Merry Tiller regularly, it spends most of the year in the shed, brushed over with diluted gear oil to stop rust. It was at least second-hand when I bought it (I've had it about 16 years).

[Browser]

Concur with the above. Mines and old Flymo DM and it wintered outside the rear of the shed under a 1 tonne builders bag. Took some petrol down the carb to fire it but it is back to one or two pull starting now.
Second-hand is OK and if you are a handy spannerman, heartily recommended.

[johnfh]

I purchased an elderly Honda F501 last year and I'm very impressed. It looks tatty but pulls like a train.  Found in local adds and purchased for a mere £50. Luckily it has 3 forward and,  most useful, 1 reverse gear - this is especially useful for manoevering out of tight spots or going over the ground again when it decides to climb over the top on hard ground. The only extra I have needed so far is a new drive belt. As a Honda devotee I have not been disappointed as it starts first or second time every time ( as long as you remenber to switch the ignition and petrol on first!).  It even started second time last week after standing out all winter under a plastic sheet! So impressed was I that I have also purchased a new F110 tiller so that I hardly have to to dig at all now!