Let the tiller do the work, Tilling depths

Troy-Bilt 68J-Horse Let the tiller do the work, Tilling depths, Avoid tilling wet, soggy soil

Section 4: Operation

TABLE 2-4: WHEEL SPEED AND BELT RANGE SELECTION GUIDE

IMPORTANT — For correct wheel speed and belt range choices when using attachments or accessories other than tines, read the Owner/Operator Manual provided with the attachment or accessory.

SLOW GEAR, LOW BELT RANGE

For:

•Tilling in sod.

•Tilling in hard clay.

•Tilling under standing corn- stalks in tough soil conditions.

•Tilling under cover crops.

•Preparing a deep seedbed.

•Tilling in stony soil.

•Tilling under residues and organic matter.

•Mixing in fertilizers, manure.

SLOW GEAR, HIGH BELT RANGE

For:

•Tilling in sod or hard clay.

•Tilling under standing corn- stalks (slow, steady speed allows time to shred stalks).

•Tilling under cover crops (best wheel speed and belt speed range in most soils).

•Preparing seedbeds (best speed choice in most soils).

•Tilling in stony ground.

•Building raised garden beds.

•Mixing in fertilizer.

•Using hiller wings in hard soil.

•Mixing fertilizer and manure.

•Tilling residues and organics.

	FAST GEAR, LOW BELT RANGE	FAST GEAR, HIGH BELT RANGE
	For:	For:
	• Going over seedbed for the	• Preparing seedbeds for
	last time before planting crops.	planting.
	• Covering over seeds in wide	• Covering seeds with less need
	row or plot planting (lift han-	to hold up the handlebars.
	dlebars to avoid going too	• Cultivating (tiller travels faster,
	deep).	rides higher on the soil; allows
	• Hilling and furrowing.	engine RPM to be reduced;
	• Making raised beds.	handlebars don’t have to be
	• Cultivating (lift handlebars to	raised).
	• Cultivating (lift handlebars to	• Keeping large areas tilled and
	avoid going too deep).	• Keeping large areas tilled and
	• Tilling large areas.	cultivated in the summer.
	• Tilling large areas.	• Tilling organic matter under.
	• Tilling organic matter in.	• Tilling organic matter under.
	• Tilling organic matter in.	• Moving tiller quickly.
	• Cultivating between raised	• Moving tiller quickly.
	• Cultivating between raised	• Cultivating between raised
	beds with optional	• Cultivating between raised
	hiller/furrower attachment.	beds using the optional
		hiller/furrower.

Tilling Tips & Techniques

WARNING

To help avoid personal injury, be aware

Let the tiller do the work

•While tilling, relax and let the wheels pull the tiller along while the tines do the digging. Walk on the side that is not yet finished (to avoid making footprints in the freshly tilled soil) and lightly, but securely grip the handlebar with just one hand (Figure 4-4).

•Avoid pushing down on the handlebars in an attempt to force the tiller to dig deeper. Doing so takes the weight off the powered wheels, causing them to lose traction. Without the wheels helping to hold the tiller back, the tines will attempt to propel the tiller – often causing the tiller to skip rapidly across the ground. (Sometimes, slight downward pressure on the handlebars will help get through a particularly tough section of sod or unbroken ground, but in most cases this won’t be necessary.)

Tilling depths

•Avoid trying to dig too deeply too quickly, especially when busting sod or tilling soil that hasn’t been tilled for some time. Use shallow depth settings (only an inch or two deep) for the first passes through the garden area.

With each succeeding pass, adjust the depth regulator to dig another inch or two deeper. (Watering the garden area a few days prior to tilling will make tilling easier, as will letting the newly worked soil set for a day or two before making a final, deep tilling pass.)

•When cultivating (breaking up the surface soil around plants to help destroy weeds), use very shallow depth settings to prevent injury to plants whose roots often grow close to the surface. If needed, lift up on the handlebars slightly to prevent the tines from digging too deeply. Cultivating on a regular basis not only eliminates weeds, it also loosens and aerates the soil for better moisture absorption and faster plant growth.

Avoid tilling wet, soggy soil

Tilling wet soil often results in large, hard clumps of soil that can interfere with planting. If time permits, wait a day or two after heavy rains to allow the soil to dry before tilling. Test the soil by squeezing it into a ball. If it compresses too easily, it is too wet to till.

that the tiller can unexpectedly bounce up or jump ahead and propel away from you if the tines strike hard or frozen ground, or buried obstacles like large stones, roots or stumps. Always use the following precautions to help maintain control of the tiller:

•Walk behind and to the side of the tiller. Use one hand on the handlebars, relaxing your arm but with a secure hand grip.

•Use shallow depth regulator settings. Till gradually deeper.

•Use slower wheel, tine and engine speeds.

•Clear the tilling area of all large stones, roots and other debris.

•Do not put downward pressure on the handlebars. If needed, apply slight upward handlebar pressure to keep the tines from digging too deeply.

•Avoid contacting hard soil or sod at the end of a row – reduce engine speed and lift handlebars to raise tines out of the soil.

•In An Emergency, stop tines and wheels by moving Wheels/Tines/ PTO Drive Lever to NEUTRAL. If you cannot reach the lever or have lost control, Let Go Of The Handlebars and All Controls. 21