If you’re anything like us, you can’t wait for the first day of the new gardening season. We want to be sure your Mantis tiller will be ready when you are. A few minutes of maintenance now can prevent hours of frustration later. This little checklist will get your started!
Check Your Tines
If your Mantis Tiller tines were dirty or wet when you last used your tiller, you may need to clean and lubricate them. If you can easily remove the tines from the transmission axle, you’re in good shape. If not, clear any dirt or tangled vegetation, and spray the tine axle with a light, lubricating oil, like WD-40 or Liquid Wrench. This will loosen and dissolve any rust so that you can easily remove the tines. Once off and cleaned up, examine the tines for signs of wear or broken teeth. If you need to replace the tines, now is the perfect time order a new set. Click here to order direct from Mantis now.
Start Your Engine!
Just like the beginning of the Indianapolis 500, the start of the gardening season can be very excitingif you can start your engine. If you ran your tiller dry at the end of last season, you should be ready to go this season. If not, now is a good time to be sure that your gas tiller will start when you’re ready to go. Properly remove any old fuel mix from the tank, and add some fresh fuel mix. Go through the normal starting procedure. When your engine starts, you know you’ll be ready for the first day of the season. If you have more than six weeks before you’ll be running your tiller again, empty the tank and run the engine dry. Read about the importance of draining fuel and how ethanol in gas can damage your tiller engine.
Check Your Air Filter
A few weeks before the beginning of the season is a great time to replace a dirty air filter. This is one preventative measure that is quick, easy, and inexpensiveand, it will pay big dividends later.
Check all Connections
Make sure that all of the handle and fender connections are nice and tight. Simply use a box wrench or crescent wrench to be sure that the nuts and bolts are secure.
Check Your Spare Parts Inventory
If you have a 2-cycle tiller, be sure that you have some Mantis 2-cycle oil on hand to make your first batch of fuel mix for next season. You should also have a couple of spare air filters, and you might want to have some extra tine retaining pins. (The Mantis Handy Item Kit has all of these items in one package.)
I purchased my Mantis at auction. Replaced fuel filter,cleaned air filter, and general cleanup. Started nicely within 5 pulls. Problem is tines do not increase speed when accelerating and totally bog down. Can you provide any info or solution.
Hi Bill – Great questions! The first thing we would check is your exhaust screen. You want to make sure there is no carbon build up. The second thing I would check is the grease level in your transmission and your clutch assembly. If you need assistance with locating these parts on your tiller please call our Mantis Technical Service Department at 1-800-366-6268 Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.
How about an inservice in checking or changing oil in the 4 stroke mantis for ladies — better yet how to change fuel air filters fuel line and spark plug?
Hi Dar! Great suggestions, we will see what we can do!!
I have Desa P17 tiller and need a part. Do you still have parts
Hi Donna! Sorry this is not our tiller, according to our search this is Electric Remington Tiller. Hope this helps!
I am considering a 4 cycle Mantis for a small garden in new home. Do you have to walk backwards when using Mantis? Most of your videos show people walking backwards.
correction to E-mail Stacy3214@aol.com
Is the fuel filter the same as the fuel strainer? Does the fuel strainer need to be replaced every year.
Great question Janet! Yes, the fuel filter is the same as the fuel strainer. It is recommended, that you check it every 3 months, and change it before every season of use. Contact us if you have any further questions!
I purchased my 2nd Mantis tiller a few years ago. I have had trouble getting the handles
to align with the motor. I contacted Mantis and they mailed a bolt to me to correct the problem. It didn’t change anything. The handles are still offset with motor. I don’t know what to do with it! I guess I am going to shop for a different brand of tiller unless Mantis can offer a solution? Date of purchase was March 24, 2014. 5 year warranty? After contacting mantis, their only answer was to change the bolt they sent me. Again, it didn’t work. The first Mantis tiller I purchased lasted for over 10 years without problems. I am disappointed with my 2 purchase. Still undecided if I am just going to scrap it and look for something that will work!
Hi James. We want you to be happy with your 2nd Mantis Tiller. Wendy in our Customer Service department will be contacting you shortly to assist you.
I purchased my Mantis tiller about 10 years ago. I only use it 1 or 2 times/year to rake grass. It was always hard to start compared to my other 2 and 4 stroke engines. I always run engine out of fuel before winter storage. Spark and filters are good so I am guessing it’s a fuel problem. Any suggestions?
Hi Ray. Yes the problem could be the fuel; specifically the enthanol in the fuel. We have some good reading here on how ethanol impacts gas engines and some tips on how to prevent those issues. https://mantis.com/fuel-information-and-storage-tips-for-mantis-tillers/