Anyone ever used the Stihl MM55 mini-tiller?

I know my last few questions haven't exactly related to chainsaws. However, they've been related to Stihl power equipment and this is by far the most knowledgeable group of chainsaw folks on the Internet. So again, I offer up a question with nothing at all to do with chainsaws. If I anger anyone with this post, I apologize.

I'm looking to get my folks some sort of mini-tiller so they don't have to hoss their old Troybilt around anymore than necessary this spring. I've looked at some units in person and on the Internet. The Mantis looks cheap and flimsy to me. Honda makes a mini-tiller, but from what I've seen on the Internet they have transmission problems. Echo makes one as well, but I'm just not a fan of Echo equipment.

According to the Stihl website, the MM55 has a "Homescaper" engine. How is this engine different than any of their other 2 strokes? Will this thing last a good while as say a properly serviced saw or brush cutter would? Or is this the equivalent of a homeowner type chainsaw that's only going to last so many hours?

I guess what I'm looking for is opinions from people who have actually used these machines. If any of you fellows that work at these Stihl shops happen to read this, is the MM55 a good machine that will last, or is it a piece of equipment designed to last a couple of years and throw away? Are they easily serviced if broken and in need of repair?

I'm all ears to opinions and suggestions. If I've missed any brands of mini-tillers I should take a look at, put a link down for me to check out.

Thanks,
Jim

ky-homelite said:

I know my last few questions haven't exactly related to chainsaws. However, they've been related to Stihl power equipment and this is by far the most knowledgeable group of chainsaw folks on the Internet. So again, I offer up a question with nothing at all to do with chainsaws. If I anger anyone with this post, I apologize.

I'm looking to get my folks some sort of mini-tiller so they don't have to hoss their old Troybilt around anymore than necessary this spring. I've looked at some units in person and on the Internet. The Mantis looks cheap and flimsy to me. Honda makes a mini-tiller, but from what I've seen on the Internet they have transmission problems. Echo makes one as well, but I'm just not a fan of Echo equipment.

According to the Stihl website, the MM55 has a "Homescaper" engine. How is this engine different than any of their other 2 strokes? Will this thing last a good while as say a properly serviced saw or brush cutter would? Or is this the equivalent of a homeowner type chainsaw that's only going to last so many hours?

I guess what I'm looking for is opinions from people who have actually used these machines. If any of you fellows that work at these Stihl shops happen to read this, is the MM55 a good machine that will last, or is it a piece of equipment designed to last a couple of years and throw away? Are they easily serviced if broken and in need of repair?

I'm all ears to opinions and suggestions. If I've missed any brands of mini-tillers I should take a look at, put a link down for me to check out.

Thanks,
Jim

Click to expand...

Stop your searching. There is no other mini cultivator on the market that will do what the MM55 will do. The engine is a proven performer and is over 1hp output compared to the lesser engines on the other units that you inquired about it has more power.
The frame is very sturdy and all of the wires are encased and out of the way of anything that could snag them unlike the other units mentioned.
It does not bounce around as much as the others due to the extra weight of the unit.
There really is no comparison.

Good luck and welcome.

We've got one and love the heck out of it. We plant a 1,200 square foot garden every year and it gets used for three to four hours a week in full swing. We use it to get up tight to the plants and the Troy built Horse to do the rest. We've had it three years and haven't done a thing to it other than fuel and blow out the air cleaner.

I thought it was a damn toy when Mama brought it home, now I prefer to use it than any other tiller. My Dad borrows it for weeks at a time and I usually have to go and personally retrive it. It is impressive for what it looks like. Go run one is the best advice I can give.

Thanks alot for the replies!! Dodge, your garden and theirs is about the same size, I believe theirs is closer to 1,500 square feet though. My dad is getting a little long in the tooth and is starting to have problems with his Horse model because of the size. It's the tank that Gardenway built, not the so-called Troybilt of today.

I believe he'd really love the MM55 to buzz up and down between the rows instead of getting out there with a hoe weeding every few days. I personally own several pieces of Stihl equipment, as does my father....and we've always had good luck with them. I was hoping that the MM55 would be just as good and you two fellows have confirmed that it is.

Many thanks to the both of you!!

you are welcome

No problem! I really don't know exactly what square footage the garden is but I know it will grow WAY more zucchini than two people could eat in a life time. People at work avoid me in the summer time. When Mama gets to plantin some times she forgets to stop!

They have a couple attachments for the MM55, I'm thinking about getting the dethatcher.

Funny thing about the large tiller, I have the same one it sounds like. At least the tank part. I put a new B&S engine on it last spring and that baby will really go. Now for a set of wheel weights so I can keep the front end down :hmm3grin2orange:

I'm really ready for spring now thinking about all this.

Best of luck!

Where in Ky. are you?

We use the little Honda mini 4-stroke and are really happy with it.
Never had a problem with it in at least 5 years now and It is one of 3 tillers we have in use. Just trying to show other good mini tillers if you dont want the noise. our gardens are from 100'x60' and 90'x40'

ky-homelite said:

The Mantis looks cheap and flimsy to me.

Click to expand...

Absolutely, unequivocally incorrect. The Mantis sets the standard for mini-tillers, always has, always will, and there is no meaningful second place in that contest, either.

I've had mine for four years now; it defines indestructible. I have hard-pan clay where I live, and a tiller with the silly bolo tines will just sit there and bounce. Not so the Mantis. The tines are warranted for life, they're that good. You break it, they bought it. But it's easy for them to make that guarranty, cause you can't break 'em. Not without a plasma cutter, that is.

Mine has the Honda 4-stroke on it. It has never failed to start, ever, by the second pull. Hot, cold, no matter. Plenty of power to spare, too.

If you want a cultivator, get a cultivator. Don't get a weed whacker with tines. You need TWO handlebars, set up in parallel with the tines, for a cultivator to do any real work. An in-line weed whacker handle set-up won't let you work right in a garden...it's not built to do that.

Don't screw-up here...get the Mantis!

I'm a Mantis fan also. Mine's a 2 stroke and it rocks. I've had it for about 5 years now and no problems. I too have hard clay and it eats it. The edger blade you get with it works good too. It takes the same mix and plug as the rest of my stuff.


Mike

wood_newbie said:

Absolutely, unequivocally incorrect. The Mantis sets the standard for mini-tillers, always has, always will, and there is no meaningful second place in that contest, either.

I've had mine for four years now; it defines indestructible. I have hard-pan clay where I live, and a tiller with the silly bolo tines will just sit there and bounce. Not so the Mantis. The tines are warranted for life, they're that good. You break it, they bought it. But it's easy for them to make that guarranty, cause you can't break 'em. Not without a plasma cutter, that is.

Mine has the Honda 4-stroke on it. It has never failed to start, ever, by the second pull. Hot, cold, no matter. Plenty of power to spare, too.

If you want a cultivator, get a cultivator. Don't get a weed whacker with tines. You need TWO handlebars, set up in parallel with the tines, for a cultivator to do any real work. An in-line weed whacker handle set-up won't let you work right in a garden...it's not built to do that.

Don't screw-up here...get the Mantis!

Click to expand...

The stihl one that they are talking about has the handle bar set up and a chunk of cast aluminum as a back bone. If you have ever seen one in person it makes any of the other ones look like kiddies toys.

jhellwig said:

The stihl one that they are talking about has the handle bar set up and a chunk of cast aluminum as a back bone. If you have ever seen one in person it makes any of the other ones look like kiddies toys.

Click to expand...

I have seen one in person, and I have used one in person.

And no offense, but it is a kiddie toy compared to the Mantis. Consumer-grade engine, overly-long drive shaft, and the engine is in the wrong place in relation to the tines themselves. The Mantis is a dedicated tiller--it's (commercial-grade) engine is coupled via a very short shaft to the transmission, and it is vertical to the tines in operation. The weight is therefore exactly where it ought to be. The Stihl, being a converted weed-whacker, puts more of the weight on the handlebars, so it bounces far more. Ever wonder why Stihl sells an optional weight kit to go with theirs?

Look, it's not a bad tool FOR WHAT IT IS, which is a combination weed-whacker/cultivator.

Truth be told, I'm looking at their 110 Kombi unit in order to run a weed whacker and stick edger, so I'm not a Stihl basher.

But if I'm looking for a cultivator, in order of preference, it would be:

1. Mantis
2. Mantis which has been run over by a combine
3. Other manufacturers' offers

You're talking about the Gold Standard when you're talking about Mantis. Anything else is just an imitator.

wood_newbie said:

I have seen one in person, and I have used one in person.

Click to expand...

Maybe a Kombi, but if it was a MM55 you wouldn't say it had a long drive shaft.

wood_newbie said:

And no offense, but it is a kiddie toy compared to the Mantis. Consumer-grade engine, overly-long drive shaft, and the engine is in the wrong place in relation to the tines themselves. The Stihl, being a converted weed-whacker, puts more of the weight on the handlebars, so it bounces far more. Ever wonder why Stihl sells an optional weight kit to go with theirs?

Look, it's not a bad tool FOR WHAT IT IS, which is a combination weed-whacker/cultivator.

Truth be told, I'm looking at their 110 Kombi unit in order to run a weed whacker and stick edger, so I'm not a Stihl basher.

Click to expand...

Just to be clear


How long is that drive shaft?

The Stihl MM55 Mini Tiller has proven to be a good unit for us, I had reservations in the beginning because we were ( I said were, NO LONGER ) selling Mantis branded mini tillers with the Echo engine. Only after much pushing did our rep get us to buy some. I hung them on the wall like trophies and when people asked I knew nothing to tell them so I didn't sell any. Then about a year later we had sold some to Stihl die hards who just literally brought them to the counter. My rep came in and said, you know what you need is some wheels on those things and boy was he right. We started putting them on the floor with wheels on them and WOW they started selling like hotcakes. Those have to be the nicest wheel setup any mini tiller company has ever offered. The wheels are far enough apart and Large enough to be able to roll the tiller to your garden and them easily adjusted up so you can let them balance the tiller. I know some think the power-plant is not up to par with the mantis but I have had zero failures. In fact we just got 10 in today.

Now to give some credit to Mantis, as they have a good unit. We sell the RedMax tiller that is a Mantis manufactured tiller with the RedMax Commercial engine.( no contest is quality, RedMax wins with a five year engine warranty) The only difference is the tines which are still manufactured by Mantis but looks different than the Mantis.

Our Retail Store is Located in Randolph County of North Carolina, I mention that because it's the only place I've ever seen rocks grow. We have a soil mixture of 40% white flints and 60% clay with topsoil. These mini tillers do a great job, it almost amazing really what they can do.

Another brand we are looking to sell is the Atom. I mention this but I'm not 100% we will sell them, as we are awaiting a demo to test and send through our service dept to get checked. It's an Australian product, a little pricey but it merits the price with ball bearings throughout the drive system ( 7 total in gear box). Here's a link just click the video to see in action. http://www.amickssuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Amicks+Atom+R4+Mini+Tiller

Happy tilling, Tony

SmokinDodge said:

Maybe a Kombi, but if it was a MM55 you wouldn't say it had a long drive shaft.

Just to be clear

How long is that drive shaft?

Click to expand...

Just to be clear, roughly two to threee times longer than this one:

SmokinDodge said:

How long is that drive shaft?

Click to expand...

wood_newbie said:

Just to be clear, roughly two to threee times longer than this one:

Click to expand...

Just to be clear.

Look, the guy already said his parents appreciate good equipment...they have an OLD Troybilt. (Emphasis mine...he's obviously not talking about the new MTD crap with the Troybilt name on it.

If they popped the extra $ it took to buy a Troybilt, back when they were Troybilt, do you really think they'd be happy with a "Homescaper" product?

Get a real cultivator, Homelite. THEY'LL be glad you did!

Just buy the best, a Stihl!opcorn:

wood_newbie said:

Just to be clear, roughly two to threee times longer than this one:

Click to expand...

Boy that looks like a real sturdy piece of crap. Cheap tricycle frame with reinforced plates at the bottom to correct the cracking problem from ago. Those wires sure look nice hanging there all loose and everything. Can't wait to have them fall out of the cheap toggle switch as they always do. Where can I add the weight to keep it in the ground where it should be instead of bouncing all around as it does and dont let me forget that I have to start it upright so it can walk away from me.

wood_newbie said:

Just to be clear.

Look, the guy already said his parents appreciate good equipment...they have an OLD Troybilt. (Emphasis mine...he's obviously not talking about the new MTD crap with the Troybilt name on it.

If they popped the extra $ it took to buy a Troybilt, back when they were Troybilt, do you really think they'd be happy with a "Homescaper" product?

Get a real cultivator, Homelite. THEY'LL be glad you did!

Click to expand...

AMEN to the original Garden Way built Troy Bilt equipment (we were a Troy Bilt dealer before they went bankrupt) MTD has RUINED the name, though a lot of people don't realize it. When they started painting cheap MTD crap red and then selling it for more just for the TB name that's when it all went to hell. Getting back on topic to the mini tillers, is there ANY mini tiller that's commercial grade? To the best of my knowledge all of the mini tillers are marketed to the HOMEOWNER, not the professional gardener or landscaper. We a dealer for the Stihl, Honda, and Mantis mini tillers and I really don't think one is that much better than the other. They all have their good points and bad points. Just buy whatever you're most comfortable with

Just Mow said:

Boy that looks like a real sturdy piece of crap. Cheap tricycle frame with reinforced plates at the bottom to correct the cracking problem from ago. Those wires sure look nice hanging there all loose and everything. Can't wait to have them fall out of the cheap toggle switch as they always do. Where can I add the weight to keep it in the ground where it should be instead of bouncing all around as it does and dont let me forget that I have to start it upright so it can walk away from me.

Click to expand...

Don't be another Stihl Chearleader, Mow. I'm a Jonsered fan, but I recognize when Jonsered makes a sub-professional product, and they sure do. Why is it so many people seem to derive their identity from the Stihl logo? "If it's Stihl, then it just absolutely HAS to be a great product."

Fact of the matter is, Stihl makes a lot of homeowner crap now. Fess up...you know I'm right. So does Husky, so does Jred, so does every other mfg out there. By Stihl's own admission, this is "occasional user" goods.

I bet, if we brought a mechanical engineer in here, he/she'd show you the basic flaws in the Stihl. Number one, and there's no getting around this, and you know I'm right, so dont' fight it...the engine's in the wrong place. On a cultivator, you want the engine DIRECTLY above the tines WHEN THE UNIT IS IN OPERATING POSITION. Any other position, by definition, is shifting weight away from where it belongs.

Secondly, you want the weight of the engine as close to the tines as possible, given a reasonable distance to keep the engine out of harm's way. You do that to give the cultivator better balance. Simple physics there, Mow. And you know I'm right.

Every other decidated cultivator on the market has just such an arrangement. Except the homeowner-grade Stihl. Why, you say? Oh, I gotcha there...because IT'S NOT A DEDICATED CULTIVATOR. This bears repeating, so I will: BECAUSE IT'S NOT A DEDICATED CULTIVATOR!!

Let's say I want a limbing saw. Now, I can get a 110 Kombi with a pole saw, right? Now that'll cut limbs. Sure will. Hell, it'll cut 'em a lot further off the ground than a regular chainsaw will. What? What's that you say? You say that's foolish because a pole saw wasn't meant to be a limbing saw? Well hell...I can just hold it in an awkward position, and it WILL cut through the limbs, right? Of course it will, and since it's a STIHL, well then it's the best tool in the shed!

Fact is, the analogy holds. The 55 is a homeowner-grade weed whacker converted to a cultivator. It's not the best tool for the job. If you want a cultivator, then buy one. Buy a dedicated cultivator. The 55 is the pole saw of cultivators.

p.s. I've owned my Mantis for several years now, use it twice a week seven months of the year to do things I shouldn't ask it to do. And no wires have ever come loose. Of course, they're not hanging loose to start with, so I can't say I know what you're talking about.

p.p.s. "I have to start it upright so it can walk away from me." Huh? I don't know if you've ever run a cultivator (sorry, a DEDICATED cultivator) before, but the tines don't engage until you get on the throttle and the clutch disengages. And you don't throttle the Mantis to get it started, so what in the Sam Hill Hell are you talking about here, Mow?