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Electric tiller/rotovators
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Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 15 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

First thing I did after I took it out of the box.

mal55



Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Location: Erewash or in the dog house
PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 15 10:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I take it they're not worth the bother then.
Quite a bit of the garden is no-dig but unfortunately the neighbours would probably complain about pigs.
Is there much vibration with the petrol machines?

Ty Gwyn



Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4562
Location: Lampeter
PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 15 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mal bach,
What you need is Charlie Dimmock [sp] on the rotavator,

You`ll never complain about vibrations again,lol.

Yes the petrol rotavators do vibrate.

vegplot



Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 15 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Rotovators are quite hard work. Not as hard as hand digging but you need strength to keep them on track. Is there anyone near you could borrow one from to try? They come in different sizes and there maybe one that really suits you.

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Thu Feb 19, 15 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

If you go petrol, don't go below 5hp.

Mine fights back a little when you come to the end of a row and want to turn it round and it really is quite a physical experience, but it will do a whole allotment in half a day !

Whether a "Physical experience" equates to "vibration" ? I don't think it does and having a back which is susceptible to sciatica and having had a major slipped disc some years ago, I wouldn't be without mine ! I couldn't possibly dig like I used to, but can handle the rotovator (which will go down to 10 inches or more). But as I said it IS "quite physical"

Hope that helps !

mal55



Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Location: Erewash or in the dog house
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That's useful Falstaff. What make is your machine? Part of my problem is lower back but the worst is a neck problem that affects the nerves to my arms and hands. Vibration causes a lot of pain that takes quite a while to recover from. I counter it by doing everything in 5 minute stints then resting which allows me to keep the garden something like.
The main area I have available is about 40x15ft with the rest of the veg garden being 1 ton bags I use for potatoes and such down one side plus soft fruits which I intend to move to a separate area. The idea is barrier gardening as much as possible. Once the area is dug over it will be covered in the thin weed control fabric and seedlings grown in the greenhouse then planted through it. I experimented last year and it seems to work quite well with weeding being minimal. I also have a 15ft polytunnel and 12ft greenhouse so a lot of stuff gets grown in there.

Piggyphile



Joined: 02 Apr 2009
Posts: 891
Location: Galicia
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 1:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Could you hire one and try it? Perhaps a hire once a year would be more cost efficient.

vegplot



Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Piggyphile wrote:
Could you hire one and try it? Perhaps a hire once a year would be more cost efficient.


Or hire a person and machine and get the job done for you. The only pain would be to your wallet.

mal55



Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Location: Erewash or in the dog house
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hire one. That's a good idea!

Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 15 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

if you're wanting to try one of the electric cultivators, you can borrow mine if we can sort out transport...

mal55



Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Location: Erewash or in the dog house
PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 15 12:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thank you for your kind offer Hairyloon. It is very much appreciated.
What it is is that my Mum wants to buy me a cultivator for a 60th present. Having had to give up her house and 1/2 acre garden because she couldn't manage it anymore she thinks that by getting me one she will stop the same happening to me bless her! As someone who is only really happy in a garden it's her idea of hell not to have one. At 85 she has taken up "Guerrilla Gardening" around the flat she is in and her one tiny border is gradually taking over any areas left untended by neighbours and rose bushes have sprouted overnight in forsaken corners.
She has always seen adverts for Mantis tillers in the gardening press and so has decided that THAT is what I need. I think I know I can manage one as long as I don't do too much at once so I'm trying to find a cheaper alternative.

mark



Joined: 14 Jul 2005
Posts: 2191
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 15 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Tillers like he lidl one are no good for deep digging ! BUT they ARE good for keeping a bed clear (like hoeing on steroids!)

Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 15 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I am told the Mantis is very good.

mal55



Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Location: Erewash or in the dog house
PostPosted: Sun Feb 22, 15 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It has a Honda engine so it should be decent. They also have a 90 day money back guarantee iof you don't like them. It has to be worth a try!

mal55



Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Location: Erewash or in the dog house
PostPosted: Fri Mar 13, 15 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well, it's turned up, I've got it put together and given it a go! I'm a happy bunny!
I've got one of the veg beds (about 6x15ft) dug and down to a fine tilth in about 1/2 an hour. It will probably get quicker as I work out the best technique.
It's not too noisy, weighs 24lbs so it's not too heavy and only causes as much vibration to my wrists and arms as the electric hedge trimmer so as long as I don't use it for too long each session it should be great!

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