Page 1 of 1

Small Cultivator

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 4:13 pm
by Geoff
I have no trouble digging but find the clod bashing to a tilth afterwards hard work. I wonder if a small electric cultivator would be any use. I've looked at the Mantis from time to time, currently £189, 1000W, 12" wide. There is a cheap one available from Aldi at the moment, £60, 1200W, 14"wide. The design is different, Mantis has wheels, Aldi doesn't. Anybody any experience of using one without wheels?

Cult_Man.JPG
Cult_Man.JPG (47.26 KiB) Viewed 8883 times


Cult_Ald.JPG
Cult_Ald.JPG (25.81 KiB) Viewed 8883 times

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 6:23 pm
by oldherbaceous
Evening Geoff, I use one of the early Mantis 2 stroke tillers, this doesn't have wheels and is fairly easy to use...if just taken steady.
I just wondered if the wheels on the Mantis in your photo, are just for transportation?

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:00 pm
by Geoff
I just wondered if the wheels on the Mantis in your photo, are just for transportation?


It's hard to tell from the video on their website https://mantis.uk.com/product/electric-cultivator-3450/ but I suspect they aren't really active in the cultivating.

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:29 pm
by robo
Hi Geoff , I have a mantis with a 25cc Honda engine driving it no wheels but an excellent bit of kit,I used to have a handy electric one no wheels on it but powerful for an electric one ,I left it in my shed down the plot one night along with the generator to drive it and some scrote had them away

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:03 pm
by Geoff
Thanks - it sounds like it might do the job, £60 and three year warranty is quite tempting.

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:43 pm
by Compo
What csn you lose really?

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:00 pm
by Geoff
We'll see - ordered today!

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:34 pm
by Geoff
Delivered today. Seems to make a difference.

IMG_4383_R.jpg
IMG_4383_R.jpg (2.11 MiB) Viewed 8771 times


IMG_4387_R.jpg
IMG_4387_R.jpg (2.36 MiB) Viewed 8771 times

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:57 pm
by Primrose
I imagine these devices are a good investment for those with large plots or as anno domini starts to creep up and physical effort becomes harder. Physical exercise like digging and raking may be good in small quantities but machinery which eliminates physical exhaustion surely make this kind of activity more pleasurable and less time consuming. Appliances which keep one gardening longer than would otherwise be possible are to be applauded.

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:00 pm
by Geoff
Looks even better with a row of Masterpiece Green Longpod planted.

IMG_4388_R.jpg
IMG_4388_R.jpg (2.6 MiB) Viewed 8734 times

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:34 pm
by Stephen
That is looking good Geoff.

I'm going to stick to fork, the three prong cultivator (the "Abu Hamza" as we have nicknamed in in very unPC way) and a rake. I hope it will keep me active.
On the new no dig style section obviously I try to smash up the manure then add some seived soil.

Our shed is already full to (nearly) overflowing.

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2020 8:52 am
by Colin2016
I have & used the cheap one on my back garden (not plot as no dig) which turn lumps into easy to work soil also cuts roots into smaller roots for regrowing so best to pull all roots out first.

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 8:24 am
by Shallot Man
robo wrote:Hi Geoff , I have a mantis with a 25cc Honda engine driving it no wheels but an excellent bit of kit,I used to have a handy electric one no wheels on it but powerful for an electric one ,I left it in my shed down the plot one night along with the generator to drive it and some scrote had them away



Was givan this advice some years ago from an old time copper.
Buy a can of car spray. spray part of machinery with it. Unsitely but works. Easily recognised at a boot sale. Also paint post code on all machinery . :wink:

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 9:54 am
by oldherbaceous
Wise words, Shallot Man.

Re: Small Cultivator

Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 10:50 am
by Shallot Man
Shallot Man wrote:
robo wrote:Hi Geoff , I have a mantis with a 25cc Honda engine driving it no wheels but an excellent bit of kit,I used to have a handy electric one no wheels on it but powerful for an electric one ,I left it in my shed down the plot one night along with the generator to drive it and some scrote had them away



Was givan this advice some years ago from an old time copper.
Buy a can of car spray. spray part of machinery with it. Unsitely but works. Easily recognised at a boot sale. Also paint post code on all machinery . :wink:


PS. Should have mentioned post code using ultra violet pen. From all good Police Stations. FREE.