Bought a Mantis tiller and loved it, started every time and did a good job. Used it approx. 2 yrs. Got it out this year, gased it up and it started within 2 or 3 pulls of the rope. When I tried to engage the tines the tiller would stop but would start right up again but kept stopping when I tried to engage the tines. Finally it began to pull if I put them on slowly and finally started working as usual. Used the tiller a couple of times and was working great when I put it up but the next time I got it out it started just fine but went through the tine business again. Made sure nothing was wrapped around them, cleaned the filter. Then it was harder to start and then it would start but tines would not engage. Got tired, put it up for a day or 2 and tried it again. Now it will not start at all. Anybody got any suggestions what is wrong or how to start it and get it to going. If I take it back where I bought it they will say I need to buy a new one which is what I have already done with this one. Thank you.

Quick question. Did you keep fuel in the tank during storage?

No, I made sure it had no gas stored in it so that I could start fresh come spring.

OK, let's approach the problem from another angle.

1. see if you have spark. Hold plug against block and look for a spark.
2. See if you have fuel. Put plug in and pull the rope a few times. Plug should be wet.
3. See if you have air. Look at the air cleaner filter. Try to stary without the air filter.

Remove and clean the carb. Then the fuel tank and lines.

Thank you all for the information, I will try this to see if I can get it to working.

Thank you KeepItSimpleStupid, I thought about the spark plug but being a woman I thought the worst about the tiller. Took out the plug, no spark, cleaned the plug and replaced it, pulled the rope a few times and it started. Turned it off and restarted it. Runs like always. Thanks again, you were right on it!