[bs44MhUW]

I am now thinking of buying one..........

I would like a small mini-tiller gas or elec but I am not sure they can do the job... It is a fairly small area of about 400 sq feet to till but it is clay....

I just checked craigslist & I have not bought one in 20 years so I am not sure what is good & what to avoid......

I was looking @ a cheap one @ homeDepot called a powermate but it seems like a pretty good deal compared to most, so I am thinking there is a good reason it costs less....

I can't find any reviews for it either.........

[HQTheodore]

Bill...check here...Northern Tool http://www.northerntool.com/

Use their 800 number, and talk to a Rep about your needs, and price range

You stated your soil is clay...that's going to be tough for a small tiller to bust up...suggest you rent a big guy first. This'll save wear and tear on the smaller one, and keep you from working yourself to death...and having to replace tines.

[ferelrossi]

The main thing is to get one with rear tines. The front tine ones will work you to death. It will bounce off that clay. Trust me on this.
The rear tines cost more, but are worth it.

What you have in mind won't cut it.

Get some more advice. Be sure before you buy.

[Chubrehege]

Mantis is a good piece of equipt,, I have 3... its a Little Wonder compnay product and comes with an Echoe 2 cycle - reliable but they'll work ya hard to break virgin soil, good for regular cultivation of previously plowed or till ground and we use them primarily for amendment blending for improving soil.

anything bigger than that, I recommend saving your money and renting when you have the need... my big machine is spendy, around 2000 and the most important thing to know is that its blades turn opposite of its wheels.
Because if you've ever been pulled along the surface by a troybilt tiller, you'll understand why thats important. 2nd most important matter, if buying anything with a 4 cycle pay the little extra for the honda, and if it tecumseh don't even consider it.

http://www.maximmfg.com/NewFiles/com...-tillers2.html

[lopaayd]

You could just put an ad on craigslist. Describe what you want done and what you're willing to pay someone to do it.

[MaigicyuNinia]

You could just put an ad on craigslist. Describe what you want done and what you're willing to pay someone to do it.

If I was in Bill's neck of the woods, I would head over there with the John Deere....if would cost him a beer....

[zttrftwsq]

understand how those little ones work, they till in on a backwards motion, in other words you let them walk out and you pull back to dig in, its like vacumning with a very HEAVY vacumn.

if you want to break ground , don't consider it.. if you want to build your triceps and sweat alot... and still not break ground, 200 is an expensive gym membership

[Mboxmaja]

Rent one from the hardware store, see if you like it first before buying one.

[diseeKeythilt]

Bill,

Hire someone to do a thorough till on your area first. Then, once it's broken up and malleable, clean all the grass and stuff out of it and have him work in some good quality top soil and peat. You can then plant your garden.

Willl you need a tiller to manage that size of plot? If so, then go buy your small tiller.

Betcha already knew all of this, but I had to throw in my 2 cents.

[sonsayx]

Bill,

Hire someone to do a thorough till on your area first. Then, once it's broken up and malleable, clean all the grass and stuff out of it and have him work in some good quality top soil and peat. You can then plant your garden.

Willl you need a tiller to manage that size of plot? If so, then go buy your small tiller.

Betcha already knew all of this, but I had to throw in my 2 cents.

Actually there is lots of good info...... I wasted an hour googling

I have not had one in a long time so I have forgotten a lot of what I wanted & didn't.........

[Rexaviennatutr]

Actually there is lots of good info...... I wasted an hour googling

I have not had one in a long time so I have forgotten a lot of what I wanted & didn't.........

From what I recall, you would be better with the plan of digging holes in the clay, and filling with good growing medium.

I know you were playing with that hay for a while.

I'd keep doing the holes, because tilling the clay is going to do nothing but make a mess.

In a few years, you'll have a yard full of good soil, and you can start to treat it like a regular garden.

I forgot if you said you can find a horse farm nearby? Get as much composted manure as you can.

[Audi_z]

ThnX John

I am gonna borrow a tiller & see how it goes...... I did some wholes but it quickly went right back, this is very dense....... I did some gypsum & hay etc which probably made it twice as good but it converts back so quickly that I need to try something in addition to it, so that it can be continually replenished..

I had forgotten how quickly the clay soil eats up what you put in it & reverts back......

My hope is to make the big clumps into smaller workable clumps & get some roots growing in there & next time just till it up w/ smaller tiller, continually adding material, roots etc to the soil.......

[kasandrasikl]

I rented one before. There wasn't any need for me to have one long term as all I wanted to do was till up a place for my wife to plant a garden. I had it back the same day and it cost like $20 for me rent it an till up a 300 sq ft garden.

[violalmina]

ThnX John

I am gonna borrow a tiller & see how it goes...... I did some wholes but it quickly went right back, this is very dense....... I did some gypsum & hay etc which probably made it twice as good but it converts back so quickly that I need to try something in addition to it, so that it can be continually replenished..

I had forgotten how quickly the clay soil eats up what you put in it & reverts back......

My hope is to make the big clumps into smaller workable clumps & get some roots growing in there & next time just till it up w/ smaller tiller, continually adding material, roots etc to the soil.......

If you've got your mind set on tilling that mess of clay, then you might consider bringing massive amounts of sand, and tilling it into the clay.

Then, you can add organic matter to make a nice growing medium.

Create drainage first, and then create what the old timers call 'tilth'

[thakitt]

I rented one before. There wasn't any need for me to have one long term as all I wanted to do was till up a place for my wife to plant a garden. I had it back the same day and it cost like $20 for me rent it an till up a 300 sq ft garden.

It is $90 a day here............. The cheap deal is about $40 for two hours but the closet place would be about 20 mins away........

I talked a friend that is gonna let me borrow his....... After I use it I should be able to tell if I can get by w/ a mini tiller........

[HootSnori]

If you've got your mind set on tilling that mess of clay, then you might consider bringing massive amounts of sand, and tilling it into the clay.

Then, you can add organic matter to make a nice growing medium.

Create drainage first, and then create what the old timers call 'tilth'

Drainage is an issue in my small back yard.... It leans towards the house on a slight slope, so if I add anything I am gonna have issues......

This is not the reddish kinda clay, it is even finer, black & rich but extremely fine.. My kids used it for modeling figures when then were kids... It is called San Joaquin adobe clay...... Adding sand does not work as the clay is to small.......

It is like having a barrel of bowling balls (sand) & then pouring a bucket of marbles in, they just go to the bottom......

My thinking is, if I can break it up & keep stuff growing the roots etc will add organics etc......... Or so I think.......... ;dunno:

[SweetCaroline]

Drainage is an issue in my small back yard.... It leans towards the house on a slight slope, so if I add anything I am gonna have issues......

This is not the reddish kinda clay, it is even finer, black & rich but extremely fine.. My kids used it for modeling figures when then were kids... It is called San Joaquin adobe clay...... Adding sand does not work as the clay is to small.......

It is like having a barrel of bowling balls (sand) & then pouring a bucket of marbles in, they just go to the bottom......

My thinking is, if I can break it up & keep stuff growing the roots etc will add organics etc......... Or so I think.......... ;dunno:

does it support any growth now? The only issue with clay is airspace, the particles are so small it has very liitle air space and roots need air as much as they need water. nutrieints it has and plenty of them, clay is actually very high in nutrients

[avarberickibe]

does it support any growth now? The only issue with clay is airspace, the particles are so small it has very liitle air space and roots need air as much as they need water. nutrieints it has and plenty of them, clay is actually very high in nutrients

Yes, it has grasses & weeds but they are very shallow rooted & I am not watering those areas yet so they can die off......

[illignocearia]

Drainage is an issue in my small back yard.... It leans towards the house on a slight slope, so if I add anything I am gonna have issues......

This is not the reddish kinda clay, it is even finer, black & rich but extremely fine.. My kids used it for modeling figures when then were kids... It is called San Joaquin adobe clay...... Adding sand does not work as the clay is to small.......

It is like having a barrel of bowling balls (sand) & then pouring a bucket of marbles in, they just go to the bottom......

My thinking is, if I can break it up & keep stuff growing the roots etc will add organics etc......... Or so I think.......... ;dunno:

Not certain of the slope or the landscape, but I know a couple of people who have had to resort to using hoses for draining. I don't know what's available in your area, but maybe you can find some tubing or such from craigslist.

As for tillers, someone here already shot down my favorite, as I prefer the Troy built brand, and as always, YMMV, but as others have mentioned, perhaps you can borrow one to try prior to purchasing?

[expabsPapsgag]

I am now thinking of buying one..........

I would like a small mini-tiller gas or elec but I am not sure they can do the job... It is a fairly small area of about 400 sq feet to till but it is clay....

I just checked craigslist & I have not bought one in 20 years so I am not sure what is good & what to avoid......

I was looking @ a cheap one @ homeDepot called a powermate but it seems like a pretty good deal compared to most, so I am thinking there is a good reason it costs less....

I can't find any reviews for it either.........

I know that rear tines are easier to handle, because the center of gravity tends to keep it more stable. As for brands, Toro seems to be the most popular around this part of the country. If you want to loosen your soil, I recommend adding LOTS of compost and humus to it. There was an idea pushed locally a few years ago that adding lava sand to clay soil would loosen it and improve drainage. I tried that, and at first it seemed to be a successful solution, but after a couple of years, I noticed that my clay soil and lava sand formed concrete.