Well, it's not a saw, but it is a Stihl.

Is that just the tiller or is a split shafts on a tiller frame? got fs 130 with little tiller.. 200 more got chain saw attach, brush blade and blower and string trimmer...

 

I have a Mantis and I love the little bouncy thing. Let us know how this one compares!

 

I find that "cute" tools or equipment get the blessing a lot easier from my girlfriend.

I do rototilling for hire and use two big tillers to handle the jobs. I have often thought that a Mantis-type tiller would really come in handy for tight spaces.

 

Congrats on the small tiller. They do work pretty good for stirring up the ground every year for a garden.

 

Duuuude Rumpy !!!! You the man !!! It's all I can do to run ONE big tiller.

 

Another option

 

I had barrowed a Mantis for a couple seasons as well. The good wife mentioned it one year and I pointed out barrowing has proven we need one of own,,I bought the 4 cycle Honda, it's a good unit.

 

Oldest boy bought that unit last fall and its stored in the garage here. I will be getting it dirty pretty soon.

 

When I was working part time I must have repaired 50 or 60 of those Mantis tillers and many other types with the 4 stroke engines on them. I eventually got one for myself that was used and not working. They are not bad little units and people do love to use them for their gardens. I have seen them with the tines wore way down from use.

 

How do you base your rates for tilling ? Years ago I bought a like new Deere 670 iirc pto tiller in the dead of winter embarrassingly cheap. I till 1 large garden a year for a elderly friend, that's it. At 6' wide I can make potting soil of a average garden in minutes. I can't figure out how to charge without feeling guilty or that I wasted my time. As it is now I snowplow a couple of driveways for homebaked treats. Many a times I come home with chocolate face and the wife says "got paid huh"

 

I have on of those with the brush and rubber flapper wheel attachments. I bought it around 10 years ago while I worked at a John Deere dealership where we also sold Stihl. Has been a good machine except for the carburetor. Had it replaced twice under warranty now I just mess with it each year till I get it running have decent. I have heard Stihl addressed the issue and the newer ones are pretty good. I may have to try a replacement.

 

Estimates are always free, and I like to have a tiller in the truck bed so I won't have to come back to till.
I have a minimum of $50, no matter how small. That $50 will get you up to 1500 sq ft of tilling. Bigger than that, and I just make up a number.
If I am breaking new ground, I charge double and tell the customer that they need to mow it as short as possible before I start. Oftentimes though, if the new garden is going into a well-kept lawn (as opposed to a hayfield) and if the tilling doesn't go too badly, then I don't end up charging them double. It's just better to estimate high, and give a discount when it's time for them to pay.
When tilling a new garden, it really is helpful to stop and pull out all the clumps of sod before making a second pass.

I have one repeat customer that makes his own wine. After I finish tilling we sit down and share a bottle or two, then he sends me home with a bottle as my tip. So I'm not coming home with chocolate face, but closer to chit face.