Has anyone used or own a battery powered tiller/cultivator?

[pinkgardener]

I am thinking I may want to buy a battery powered tiller, but I'm not sure if it is going to do the job. If you have used or own a battery powered tiller/cultivator I would love to hear from you.

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum!

but I'm not sure if it is going to do the job

Begs the question - what's the job?

 

[Esther Knapicius]

We always rent one, and its gas. for the singular often time we use it, not worth the purchase and storage of it if its owned. Just saying.

 

[Durgan]

I just read up on electric rototillers. For small areas and appropriate soil they appear that they would do a good job. Gasoline tillers are always difficult to start with today's engines, and many are poorly made and expensive.

http://bestreviews.com/best-electric-tillers

1. 5 Best Electric Tillers - Dec. 2016 - BestReviews
   

 

[LIcenter]

I can't see the battery lasting very long if you are tilling in anything more than a good composted area. I recently bought a battery powered leaf blower for light work. After one day using it, it went right back to where I bought it. Ten minutes tops is what I got outta one battery. As Esther said above, if you only use it one time a year, just rent one and be done with it.

 

[Durgan]

Most of the tillers are cord operated. I saw only one that was battery operated out of five reviewed.

 

[pinkgardener]

Hey folks. It's been quite a while. I see Mantis has now got a battery-powered tiller. It must be pretty new; no reviews yet. I have not yet purchased one. I was really waiting to see how these tillers perform. What do you guys think?
https://mantis.com/product/mantis-58v-cordless-tiller-cultivator-3558/

 

[Durgan]

I bought an electric rototiller that is plug in 13 amp, about 2 HP which is the max and
is marginal. You need from 3.5 to 5 HP and 110 volts cannot supply this. I only used it a bit so far and it worked fine. On a relatively small area it would be acceptable. My neighbor has all battery garden units and is happy. (A small area). He has two batteries. The same type of battery is used in all his units.

The new fixers of small engines cannot repair most ,and to get gasoline engines repaired is a thing of the past. Modern carburetors are not repairable on small engines and most garden tools are now under powered. Rated in C.C. which means nothing. Most made in China now.

I always considered Mantis junk, but none of the small units work well. Honda can't make an engine.

 

[pinkgardener]

I was reading reviews on Mantis and people love them. I've seen a lot of positive things. This little thing looks interesting.

 

[Durgan]

Mantis is too light. Honda is better, but one can't keep the engine running. I have used both.

Mantis tangs are in two welded pieces and difficult to clear when the tangs get wrapped in vegetation. Honda is four pieces and removable and simple to clean. Honda is also a little heavier and doesn't bounce around like the over priced Mantis.

 

[Radish Geek]

I bought a plug powered rototiller - I forget the brand. Haven't used it yet, but it was well reviewed for light work. Most of my tilling is going to get done by minowase daikon radishes next fall, though. They grow very deep roots even in compacted soil.

 

[Durgan]

29 April 2020 Garden Beds (Electric Rototiller)​

Posted on 04/29/2020 by Durgan
http://durgan.org//2020/April 2020/29 April 2020 Garden Beds/HTML/ 29 April 2020 Garden Beds
Using a elecric rototiller to work my garden bed. This replaces gasoline driven rototillers. The electric unit works very well. No more miserable starting issues. The area is around 2000 square feet in several beds. I am very pleased with this unit.

 

[Radish Geek]

Are those onions? You're making me hungry.

 

[Durgan]

Are those onions? You're making me hungry.

Dark type yes.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

I have not used a battery powered tiller. I use my grandfather's gas powered plow.

 

[Radish Geek]

My grandfather had a gasoline powered rototiller too. He knew how to fix almost anything, and loved making things. He also grew a garden to feed himself and my grandmother. My grandmother had boxes and boxes of canning recipes, and she preserved everything they didn't eat immediately. I used to go out into their garden and eat seven or eight raw leeks per trip. My grandpa thought they had a massive gopher infestation or something until he smelled me coming into the house one day...

 

[Meadowlark]

My experience:
1) Mantis gas is basically a piece of junk. Mine didn't last one season...the air intake is way too low and sucks in dirt resulting in blown engine. Poor design. Not recommended.
2) The Black and Decker cultivator (battery powered) recommended on here is basically useless for weeds. Not recommended.
3) Recommended: 4 cycle engines w/adequate hp, never, ever use ethanol fuels in them and always use fresh gas or treated gas. They last a long time, easy to start, very effective, and very efficient.