Small Tillers?

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

I am looking for a small tiller. I looked at the Mantis nice but pricey! Anybody got any suggestions?

Redbaron · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBCIII

I am looking for a small tiller. I looked at the Mantis nice but pricey! Anybody got any suggestions?

I primarily do no till. But I do have a small Troy Bilt electric tiller. I would recommend it. Inexpensive and gets the job done quite well.

Of course I barely use it anymore though. Once you learn good no till techniques, the soil gets so good after a few years that if you need a crumbly seed bed, a rake usually does the trick.

Worth1 · February 28, 2015

What will this tiller be used for?
How much area?

Worth

4season · February 28, 2015

I have a small electric one made by Yard Machines. I used to till everywhere with larger tillers but now only do the rows a couple inches deep where the seeds go. Tilled a 20 by 10 area of old grassy backyard for a neighbor, that was more than this tiller wanted to do. For a garden with good soil it is enough.

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

I was wondering if I will need one for the Raised bed? Beale.

Worth1 · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBCIII

I was wondering if I will need one for the Raised bed? Beale.

I personally think it would be a waste of money that could be spent more wisely on drip irrigation stuff.

With a 3 foot X 12 foot bed you can if you want just use a small heavy hand mattox like I do.
Or a nice hoe like this.

No need to till deep at all in a raised bed.
I just keep piling leaves in mine.

Just something to break up the surface.

Worth

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

Thanks Worth! I will look for one of those! Beale.

jerryinfla · February 28, 2015

I use a broadfork -- I wouldn't want to even try using a tiller in my raised beds.

peppero · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

I personally think it would be a waste of money that could be spent more wisely on drip irrigation stuff.

With a 3 foot X 12 foot bed you can if you want just use a small heavy hand mattox like I do.
Or a nice hoe like this.

No need to till deep at all in a raised bed.
I just keep piling leaves in mine.

Just something to break up the surface.

Worth

Talking from experience, I would certainly recommend Worth's advice.

jon

whistech · February 28, 2015

I have four 4 feet wide by 24 feet long raised beds and I use a Mantis tiller in the beds twice a year, usually in the early fall and then again in early spring. The tiller does a wonderful job and is easy to use. If you are young, you could do just fine with a spading fork or a hoe, but I am not and I'm not up to very much digging. I have had the Mantis tiller since 2010 and it starts very easily and does a good job.

EBCIII · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by whistech

I have four 4 feet wide by 24 feet long raised beds and I use a Mantis tiller in the beds twice a year, usually in the early fall and then again in early spring. The tiller does a wonderful job and is easy to use. If you are young, you could do just fine with a spading fork or a hoe, but I am not and I'm not up to very much digging. I have had the Mantis tiller since 2010 and it starts very easily and does a good job.

Nope not young, 57 bad left leg?? My work time pushing it right is about 3 hours a day, Beale.

PhilaGardener · February 28, 2015

I liked my gas Mantis, but a few years ago it stopped running. I suspect deposits clogged the carb, but I just haven't had a chance to get a replacement on it. It is small enough to do a great job in my raised beds. I haven't tried their electric unit, but if I had power at my garden I would be really tempted!

AlittleSalt · February 28, 2015

On my 3x12' raised beds, I use a long handled square shovel. The shovel costs less neck and shoulder pain than the little tiller.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

I personally think it would be a waste of money that could be spent more wisely on drip irrigation stuff.

With a 3 foot X 12 foot bed you can if you want just use a small heavy hand mattox like I do.
Or a nice hoe like this.

No need to till deep at all in a raised bed.
I just keep piling leaves in mine.

Just something to break up the surface.

Worth

EBCIII · March 1, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

I personally think it would be a waste of money that could be spent more wisely on drip irrigation stuff.

With a 3 foot X 12 foot bed you can if you want just use a small heavy hand mattox like I do.
Or a nice hoe like this.

No need to till deep at all in a raised bed.
I just keep piling leaves in mine.

Just something to break up the surface.

Worth

Where is a good online site for these? Thanks, Beale.

Tracydr · March 1, 2015

I have this one.http://www.amazon.com/GreenWorks-270...rds=Cultivator
It's great for loosening the raised beds and mixing new amendments every season. I've also weeded with it at times.

February 28, 2015	#1
EBCIII Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South East Va Zone 7A Posts: 306	Small Tillers? I am looking for a small tiller. I looked at the Mantis nice but pricey! Anybody got any suggestions?

February 28, 2015	#8
jerryinfla Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Central Florida Posts: 377	I use a broadfork -- I wouldn't want to even try using a tiller in my raised beds. __________________ Jerry - You only get old if you're lucky.

February 28, 2015	#3
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	What will this tiller be used for? How much area? Worth

February 28, 2015	#4
4season Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: albuquerque Posts: 308	I have a small electric one made by Yard Machines. I used to till everywhere with larger tillers but now only do the rows a couple inches deep where the seeds go. Tilled a 20 by 10 area of old grassy backyard for a neighbor, that was more than this tiller wanted to do. For a garden with good soil it is enough.

February 28, 2015	#10
whistech Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Between The Woodlands and Spring, Texas Posts: 553	I have four 4 feet wide by 24 feet long raised beds and I use a Mantis tiller in the beds twice a year, usually in the early fall and then again in early spring. The tiller does a wonderful job and is easy to use. If you are young, you could do just fine with a spading fork or a hoe, but I am not and I'm not up to very much digging. I have had the Mantis tiller since 2010 and it starts very easily and does a good job.

February 28, 2015	#12
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	I liked my gas Mantis, but a few years ago it stopped running. I suspect deposits clogged the carb, but I just haven't had a chance to get a replacement on it. It is small enough to do a great job in my raised beds. I haven't tried their electric unit, but if I had power at my garden I would be really tempted!

March 1, 2015	#15
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	I have this one.http://www.amazon.com/GreenWorks-270...rds=Cultivator It's great for loosening the raised beds and mixing new amendments every season. I've also weeded with it at times.