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Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

Who uses one of these and what do you think of the product? I am thinking of buying one. I have two Troy Built tillers now and I love them, but I am looking for something small to go between the pumpkin vines

2/2/2007 11:31:20 PM

Central Oklahoma ( water_proofer@yahoo.com)

I have one and use it sparingly, sometimes those things get way out of hand. I have never used it between vines in fear of hitting roots from the pumpkin plant. In the regular garden it works great for the weeds.

Jon Navarro

2/3/2007 6:38:18 AM

Williamsport, Pa.

i agree with jon, not for pumkin care.. great weeding device for in between rows of veggeies.great for raised beds, and flower gardens

2/3/2007 6:45:05 AM

Rhode Island

definately not between rows or within 8 ft of plant edges either.

2/3/2007 8:32:14 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

John, get the stihl yard boss, i've been know to do a 3000 sq ft patch in an hr, you can go about 4 -5 inches down if ya really need to.
I wouldnt go near the vines, the roots extend waaaaaaay out
Tom

2/3/2007 9:42:29 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Our neighbour has one which she lets me use and I find it works great for initial tilling, its lightweight and has lots of power and built well. We usually use the ol claw type in between rows of our veggie garden.
Kirk

2/3/2007 9:56:32 AM

Indiana

I have a Troybuilt mini tiller similar to the mantis I dont know if they still make it or not. I use it right up to the vines but only about 2 inches deep (to knock down the weeds) hoeing would do the same thing but much slower. its great to run down between rows etc anywhere the big tiller wont fit.

2/3/2007 10:24:50 AM

Indiana

http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category2_10001_14102_17667_17666_17666_-1

Here is the mini tiller/ cultivator. cheatper than a mantis
Steve

2/3/2007 10:27:10 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I saw first hand what can hapen when a tiller gets ahold of a pumpkin vine, not pretty. I ussually put sticks out as a border not to be crossed.

As far as the mantas, i saw one at the denver landscape convention, there nice. I'll never get one, i have tiller.

There is a thing called a HOE. haha

2/3/2007 12:23:05 PM

Rapid City, SD

i use the heck out of my mr. mantis.........works great for cutting off the weeds.........working the flower beds.......comes with a lawn edger too............big time fun!!

2/3/2007 2:22:26 PM

Montoursville, PA

No place, in pumpkin patch, for any of those neat little tillers. The Mycorrizae and/or pumpkin roots are just under the surface. Anything but a shuffle hoe will cause damage. Factually hoeing shallow gets into some of them.

2/3/2007 2:29:36 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I own one, and use it to try and cut out weeds between rows in the veggie patch...and to break up new ground....high rpm, combined with straight, fairly sharp blades works pretty well. You can sorta control depth, but would NOT!!!!, and I stress "NOT"... use it in the pkn patch....too much damage can happen in so little time!!! Peace, Wayne

2/3/2007 4:15:39 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I use one (I have a Honda FG100 and a Mantis, got em cheap and couldn't resist) and I use it to keep the area just in front of the vines fluffy (ie outlining the christmas tree before the vines reach it). Once I bury the vines, the tiller doesn't get near. I agree with the others that in between or close to established vines would be too risky. Great little machine but not a weeder.

2/4/2007 9:03:33 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

In season tilling equals root & biology damage - not good.

The Mantis isn't a tiller. It is a cultivator.

2/4/2007 10:56:43 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I have one, and absolutely love it for preparing for crop rows. I will also use it for clean up around the watermelon plants early, when the roots haven't reached out yet, but come July 1st, I pretty much put it away for the season.

2/5/2007 9:21:58 AM

Massachusetts

i bought one in the fall my first tiller i love it. If you hold it in the same spot for a few seconds goes down deep

4/3/2007 7:01:15 PM

Washingotn

Not sure how to ask, but has anyone had a fire on a troybuilt riding lawnmower involvong puting as in the tank?

5/13/2007 12:29:01 AM