Let the tiller dothe work, Tilling depths

Section4: Operation

Tilling Tips& Techniques

Let the tiller dothe 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 foot- prints in the freshly tilled soil) and lightly, but securely grip the handlebar with just one hand. SeeFigure 4-2.

oAvoid the temptation to push 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 losetraction. Without the wheels helping to hold the tiller back,the tines will attempt to propel the tiller backward toward the operator- often causingthe tiller to skip rapidly across the ground.

Avoidtilling soggy,wet soil

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

Avoidmakingfootprints

Wheneverpossible, walk on the untilled side of the unit to avoid makingfoot- prints inyour freshly tilled or cultivated soil. Footprintscausesoil compaction that can hamper root penetrationand contribute to soil erosion. Theycan also "plant" unwantedweed seedsback into the freshly tilled ground.

In very hardground it may takethree or four overlapping passesto thor- oughly pulverizethe soil. (SeeFigure 4-8.)

•If the garden sizewill not permit lengthwise and then crosswise tilling, then overlap the first passesby one- half a tiller width, followed by succes- sive passesat one-quarter width (see Figure4-8).

•With planning, you can allow enough room betweenrows to cultivate (see Figure4-9). Leaveroom for the hood width, plus enough extra room for future plant growth.

Tilling depths

• When preparing the soil, till a fresh

path on each passrather than overlap-

Choosingcorrectwheel and tine speeds

Figure4-6

ping passes. This gives the wheels

maximum traction on undisturbed soil.

SeeFigure4-6. Dig as deeply as

possible on each pass without over-

loadingthe engine. Later passescan

be overlapped. (Watering the garden

area afew days prior to tilling will

maketilling easier,as will letting the

newly worked soil set for a day or two

before making a final, deeptilling

pass.)

• When cultivating (breaking upthe

surface soil around plantsto help

destroyweeds), adjustthe tinesto dig

only 1-1/2" to 2" deep. Usingshallow

tilling depths helpspreventinjuryto

With experience,you will find the "just right" tilling depth andtilling speed combination that is bestfor your garden.

Set the enginethrottle lever at a high enough speed to give the engine adequate power and yet allow it to

operate without overloading it. Fastest Figure 4- 7 engine speedsmay bedesirable when makingfinal passesthrough the

seedbed or when cultivating. Selection of the correct engine speed, in relation to the tilling depth,will ensure a suffi- cient power level to do the job without causing the engineto labor.

plantswhose rootsoftengrow closeto

the surface. If needed,lift up on the

handlebarsslightly to prevent the tines

from digging too deeply. Cultivatingon

a regularbasisnot only eliminates

weeds,it also loosensandaeratesthe

soil for bettermoistureabsorptionand

faster plantgrowth.

Suggestedtilling patterns

•When preparinga seedbed,go over the same path twice inthe first row, then make individual passes right next to each other (see Figure4-6). When finished in one direction, makesecond passes at a right angle as shown in Figure 4-7.

Figure4-8

Figure 4-9