Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Ok folks, anyone have any comments, advice, suggestions or opinions between the two?

This spring I plan to landscape the front yard and am looking to put in flower beds, a small hedge along the front walkway and a few plants here and there. Aside from the usual topsoil and mulch, I would also like to till the areas where the new plants are going in not just to break the soil but to mix in some topsoil as well. Rather than pay some guy oodles of money, I figured I'd do it myself. So far, I have narrowed the search for a tiller down to two: a Mantis tiller with the Honda engine or the Honda FG100. I don't want a big regular tiller as we have no space for it and figured a small one could be used in case I get into that 'let's plant veggies' mood.

I would like to hear from folks who have used or seen these machines in action. Their prices are not that far apart and based on their website, the tines seem to be different and supposedly make a difference.

Thanks.

Wow! Great responses so far. All very informative. So far at this point it seem to be  a toss up but I am leaning more towards the Honda due to local dealer support. Best though would be to take both for a spin. The amount of vibration will definitely be an issue as I do not want to end up with carpal tunnel problems down the road. We'll see....

Well, as luck would have it, I get home today and in the mail is the new issue of Consumer Reports and on page 45 is an article "Mini Tillers - More Power, Less Effort."

Now, a lot of people here (and other places) will argue that Consumer Reports isn't worth the paper it's printed on but I beg to differ.  I find the publication to be very objective, reasonably fair, and as for reliability ratings, statistically accurate.  Most nay sayers are usually people who feel insulted when something they own doesn't get the highest rating and badmouth CR.

To get to the point, the Honda FG100 is the highest rated machine by far.  It perormed best in Tilling, Sod Busting, Weeding, Starting, and tied with  a few others in Ease of Use.  The Mantis, my hero, was in the middle of the pack.  I still stand by my review but I'll have to say, if I were to buy today, I'd take a good long look at the Honda (or the Honda powered Mantis which was not the one they tested).

They also pointed out one thing about the electric tillers I never considered and that's you could easily drag the cord over small, delicate plants, causing unnecessary damage.

So there you have it...an unbiased opinion...

LL

Thanks for the heads-up on the Consumer Reports article. I'll have to give my cousin a call to borrow his issue. In the meantime I came across this today:

http://www.hondanews.com/CatID5004?mid=2004092343518&mime=asc

Sweet!! Looks like Honda just bumped things up a notch. BAM!!!!!

The Consumer Reports article had FG110 noted in perenthesis.  I didn't know what they were referring to.  Now I do, thanks.

LL

I just saw this on E-bay a little while ago, if anyones interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4355119962&ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:US:202

                                                                                 Kevin

Thanks Vangellis but am looking for a four cycle one as all our other OPE are such. Saw several FG100s on Ebay but am leaning now towards the FG110 after reading about it. It may be pricey but you only cry once.

I have owned a Mantis for quite a few years now.  I have never had a problem with it and can recommend it very highly.  IT does a great job, easy to use, and is by far the best money I have ever spent on a piece of equipment.  To give you an idea, I spent $199 when I purchase dit from a local dealer .  You couldn't even think of buying one at that price today.  I don't think you could go wrong or be unhappy with this little workhorse.

Okay I'm starting to think I'm a broken record.

We also sell the Mantis tillers.  They are an awesome piece of OPE for the size of them.  With the new easy start system - a 4 year old child could start it - not that you'd want them to.  We have seen them at varies stages through their life and the life time warranty on the tines does come in handy when the people life on a rock!

Well gotta get ready for work.

Sherri

        Hi MM

            I've had the MS-55 Yard-boss from Stihl for three years now and my wife and I love it. Not pushing the Stihl just commenting on how versital these little workhorses are. We hardly ever use the old fasioned hoe anymore. I would recommend getting both the spike and the bolo tines if avalible for the machine that you prefer. The bolo tines work great in the garden once it has been tilled up.

                 Tom

Consumer Reports claims Honda FG110 is the best choice. From scores of poor, fair, good, very good  and excellent, it was excellent. This includes tilling, sod busting, weeding and starting. Price is $325.00, from their source. Mantis rated good, but tilling, sod busting, weeding and starting was only a good rating, @ $300.00. I copied this paragraph from the CR web site:  "Four-stroke engine. These typically start with fewer pulls and deliver more power at lower speeds. They also produce fewer emissions than two-strokes and require no fuel-mixing. Found on the four top-scoring gas models." Honda is four stroke, Mantis is two. I think the convenience of not mixing oil and gas is well worth thinking about getting a Honda.

Susan