Small Tillers?
 

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

[QUOTE=EBCIII;453855]I am looking for a small tiller. I looked at the Mantis nice but pricey! Anybody got any suggestions?[/QUOTE]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.;)

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

Worth

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.

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

[QUOTE=EBCIII;453890]I was wondering if I will need one for the Raised bed? Beale.[/QUOTE]

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.
[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9l_ZW7_pFdy3MtJU6srWn-JPjTsKjj5h4crv3O_m3uOVuiBMt[/IMG]
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

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

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

[QUOTE=Worth1;453895]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.
[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9l_ZW7_pFdy3MtJU6srWn-JPjTsKjj5h4crv3O_m3uOVuiBMt[/IMG]
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[/QUOTE]

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

jon:yes:

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.

[QUOTE=whistech;453972]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.[/QUOTE]



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

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!

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=Worth1;453895]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.
[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9l_ZW7_pFdy3MtJU6srWn-JPjTsKjj5h4crv3O_m3uOVuiBMt[/IMG]
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[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Worth1;453895]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.
[IMG]https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9l_ZW7_pFdy3MtJU6srWn-JPjTsKjj5h4crv3O_m3uOVuiBMt[/IMG]
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[/QUOTE]




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

I have this one.[url]http://www.amazon.com/GreenWorks-27012-AMP-Corded-Cultivator/dp/B0030BG1HC/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1425216753&sr=8-13&keywords=Cultivator[/url]
It's great for loosening the raised beds and mixing new amendments every season. I've also weeded with it at times.