Fixing a Mantis rotavator/ tiller?
Fixing a Mantis rotavator/ tiller?
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8-P

Original Poster:

3,130 posts

282 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
I’ve found a non starting Mantis rotavator.

https://ebay.us/m/LCRrXh

Does anyone know what the engine is, Honda?

I’m thinking a new spark plug, oil change and fresh fuel would likely fix it but any experience welcome.

Thanks

Magooagain

12,507 posts

192 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
Seems expensive for a non runner.

Bill

56,978 posts

277 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
A 2 stroke rotavator?? That'll be pleasant to use!!

Bill

56,978 posts

277 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
This suggests the 2 stroke ones aren't Honda: https://mantis.com/products/tillers/gas-tillers/79...

Greenmantle

1,919 posts

130 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
i have owned one of these for at least 15 years.
they are reasonably bulletproof and owners tend to be people who look after them.
I don’t see an extended range of attachments which would concern me.
The oil mixture is very low 1:50 otherwise it’s too rich for the engine.

8-P

Original Poster:

3,130 posts

282 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
Magooagain said:
Seems expensive for a non runner.
Agreed I’ve found a runner for the same price.

I don’t want to own one as I only need it once a year at the allotment but so far can’t find one to borrow which is mad because it’s a big site so must be plenty owned up there.

Magooagain

12,507 posts

192 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
8-P said:
Magooagain said:
Seems expensive for a non runner.
Agreed I ve found a runner for the same price.

I don t want to own one as I only need it once a year at the allotment but so far can t find one to borrow which is mad because it s a big site so must be plenty owned up there.
I wouldn’t have thought that small tiller was up to turning an allotment over. You can hire a decent one from most hire centre’s.

8-P

Original Poster:

3,130 posts

282 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
Magooagain said:
I wouldn t have thought that small tiller was up to turning an allotment over. You can hire a decent one from most hire centre s.
True, too big to get. In my car though

OutInTheShed

12,809 posts

48 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
Similar things new seem to be under £150?

I suspect the one in question would start with at worst a carb refurb, but why pay top money for a non-runner with no warranty?

The Three D Mucketeer

6,904 posts

249 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
Mantis appear to do both 2 stroke (27cc) and 4 stroke I don't know of a Honda 27cc 2 stroke engine.... but STHIL use 27cc 2 strokes

Found this https://mantis.com/products/tillers/gas-tillers/79...

I have a similar Honda F200 tiller ... I'd hardly call it a rotavator .. it's a tiller ... It's OK for braking up soil and tilling beds , but for rotavating I uses my Merry Tiller.
My brother had seized the original Honda 49cc 4 stroke engine GXV50 , I completely stripped it down and rebuild it, but wouldn't run properly...managed to find a new replacement engine ...so now it runs well. All depends why it's a non runner.

A Wolseley Merry Tiller Major with 5.5 Hp Briggs Stratton Engine




Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Saturday 24th January 22:01


Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Saturday 24th January 22:07

Snow and Rocks

3,038 posts

49 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
Go bigger if at all possible unless the area you're turning over is tiny.

I would probably hire (they might deliver?) unless it's going to be in regular use. A decent pro grade machine will make light work of it.

8-P

Original Poster:

3,130 posts

282 months

Saturday 24th January
quotequote all
OutInTheShed said:
Similar things new seem to be under £150?

I suspect the one in question would start with at worst a carb refurb, but why pay top money for a non-runner with no warranty?
Yes you can buy some odd brands on Amazon eBay etc but hard to find reviews and no idea about parts etc

8-P

Original Poster:

3,130 posts

282 months

8-P

Original Poster:

3,130 posts

282 months

Sunday 25th January
quotequote all
Having asked to borrow one, someone popped up at my allotment looking to sell as he is quitting allotmentering.

So, a full 3hp beast, 4 stroke animal will be mine next week. In true PH style I plan to service it and even sand up, protect and paint some of the metal work.

£40 that’ll do


The Three D Mucketeer

6,904 posts

249 months

Sunday 25th January
quotequote all
8-P said:
Having asked to borrow one, someone popped up at my allotment looking to sell as he is quitting allotmentering.

So, a full 3hp beast, 4 stroke animal will be mine next week. In true PH style I plan to service it and even sand up, protect and paint some of the metal work.

£40 that ll do

Looks like Briggs Stratton engine with a pulsa jet carb smile
If its old and got points and a capacitor , i would recommend changing the coil for the magneto variant and bin the clockwork.

Edited by The Three D Mucketeer on Sunday 25th January 12:46