Winter is the perfect season to store your Mantis away until the new season.
Storing your machine is as simple as important to make sure your tiller keeps on starting straight off next spring and for the years to come.
The steps are exactly the same whether you have a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke tiller.
Let’s see how to prepare your Mantis for the cold winter!
Step 1 – Wedge your tiller

In order to perform the few actions needed to store your tiller properly, it is important to safely manipulate your tiller.
To do so, we advise you to fold the handles by unscrewing the lateral screws on the handlebars (see picture above)
That way, your tiller will be stable.
Step 2 – Empty the tank
It is very important to correctly empty the tank before storing your tiller.
Indeed, stagnant fuel can leave sediments at the bottom of the tank whichmay damage the carburetor.

Step 3 – Press the primer pump

The goal is to start the engine to make sure the tank is completely empty.
First, pull out the fuel inlet pipe.
Then, press the primer pump until suction of air.
Step 4 – Start the engine
Now, we are going to start the engine one last time to bleed it correctly.
We want it to stall to make sure all the air has been sucked out.

Step 5 – Empty the tank and close it up
You are nearly there!
Make sure that the fuel tank is completely empty. Then you can put the fuel pipe with the fuel filter on it back inside and close it up.
Your tiller is ready to go through winter. Store it in a dry place, out of reach of children.
Do you know the Mantis storage rack? It is perfect to store the tiller and all its attachments.

Oil, fuel, mixture – What shall I do?
If you own a 4-Stroke tiller, it is not necessary to drain the oil. The level is made for 50 hours of use. However, the first drainage must be done after 10 hours of use. As for the fuel, without a stabiliser, you can keep it for 90 days. With a stabiliser, you can keep the fuel for 2 years.
If you need to change the oil, please get rid of it in a specific container which can be generally found in recycling centres.
If you own a 2-stroke tiller, the mixture oil-fuel can be kept for 30 days.If you have added our stabiliser (ref 101605) to the mixture, you will be able to keep it for 24 months. For any other additive, please check the shelf life.
A tip
Think also about cleaning your tines and lightly greasing them to avoid rust. To do so, some cooking oil or used (and cold!) engine oil will perfectly do the job.
I had my Mantis tiller at GREENLAY GRASS MACHINES Cramlington a few weeks ago because I had not from Mantis for a few years.
thank you for your comment. We are at your disposal for any useful information.
Thank you for your info .comon maintenance of the 2 and 4 stroke tillers but your records should show that I have an electric one, any information on them?
Regards
R A Williams
Thank you for your comment. Electric models are very easy to store, they just need to be cleaned on the outside as well as the tines. If you need any more advice, do not hesitate to send us an email or call us
Great advice thank you
Thank you for your comment. Don’t hesitate to give more feedback. Enjoy your Mantis!
My mantis gave up 18 months ago – it was going to cost too much to repair so I bought a more powerful, fit for purpose rotavator. I still have my mantis in the shed!
Thank you for your comment. If you need any technical advice, do not hesitate to contact us.