We developed a discrete two-dimensional model of a cantilever which incorporates the effects of inhomogeneity, the geometry of an attached particle, and the influence of external time-dependent forces. We provide a comparison between the solutions for our discrete model and its continuous limit. The rotational-vibrational mode is studied in detail. The results of numerical simulations demonstrate usefulness of our model for many applications when a cantilever has a complicated geometry and is affected by time-depended and distributed external forces.