Use and Care Manual

11Contact us at www.mantis.com or your local authorized Mantis
®
Dealer
Tilling/Cultivating
If your tines get jammed or entangled, turn off the
tiller at once. Remove the obstruction only while the
tiller is unplugged. Never try to remove an obstruction
while the tiller is in the on position or plugged in.
Serious injury can result.
Nowadays many gardeners prefer small gardens — especially in the suburbs, where space is at a premium. But, if you’re
fortunate enough to own a large lot, you can create a bigger garden — a half acre or more. Although your Mantis Tiller could
handle the job, the project could be completed faster if you were to hire someone with a tractor or larger tiller to break the ground
for you. This is a one-time-only investment that’s well worth the small cost.
As a tiller, your Mantis Tiller works the soil down to 10” (25.4 cm) deep. But, as a cultivator, it gently cultivates the surface, only 2”
to 3” (5.09 cm to 7.62 cm) deep.
First, you must switch the tines to the weeding position. This takes less than a minute.
Then, your Mantis Electric Tiller’s sharp “tine teeth” will slice up those pesky weeds, burying them as you go along. And, since the
tines in this position won’t dig too deep, they won’t hurt your plants’ precious root systems.
The result? Your tiller will cut your weeding time in half, and turn a tiresome chore into a pleasure.
1. Make sure your tiller is off and
unplugged.
2. Remove the retaining pins from the
tines.
3. Remove the tines from the axle.
4. Place the right-side tine onto the
left-side axle. Place the left side tine
onto the right-side axle. The “D” hole
should be to the outside.
5. Here is how to make sure you’ve
installed the tines properly. Stand
behind the tiller and hold your hand,
palm up, next to the tines. Do the tine
points curl up, as your ngers do? If
so, they are in the correct cultivating
position. (See photos below)
6. Reinsert the pins.
Guide your tiller where you want to weed and start it up. Pull
your tiller backward slowly, then let it move forward a bit, in a
gentle rocking motion. Watch it slice, shred, and bury those
weeds!
Got tough weeds? Select a slower speed to slow your tiller
down. Then work back and forth until your tiller chops up the
weeds. It’s easy and effective!
Remember, any tiller will tangle in tall grass, stringy vines, or
super-big weeds. So, if you have a “backyard jungle,” rst use
a knife, pruner, or brush cutter to chop up the overgrowth. If the
tines become tangled anyway, turn the motor and unplug the
tiller before trying to clear them.
The optional Tine Detangler (Item #1322) will clear tines in a jiffy.
Contact your local authorized Mantis dealer or call
1-800-366-6268 to order.
A. HOW ABOUT A FAMILY-SIZE VEGETABLE GARDEN?
B. YOUR MANTIS ELECTRIC TILLER MAKES WEEDING A PLEASURE!
C. HOW TO SWITCH FROM TILLING TO CULTIVATING POSITION
D. NOW YOU’RE READY TO CULTIVATE OR WEED.
Tilling Position
Tine teeth point in the same
direction as the rotation of
the tine; or toward the front
of the tiller, away from the
operator.
Back Front
Tine
Rotation
Tine
Teeth
Cultivating Position
Tine teeth point in the
opposite direction as the
rotation of the tine. Tines
point toward the back of
the tiller, or toward the
operator.
Back Front
Tine
Rotation
Tine
Teeth