Section4: Operation
Tilling Tips & Techniques
Clearingthe tines
Dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines may becometangled in the tines. Follow these proceduresto help avoid tangling and to clean the tines, if necessary.
•To reduce tangling, set the depth regulator to maximum depth.
•While tilling, try swaying the handle- bars from side to side (about 6" to 12").
This "fishtailing" action often clearsthe tines of debris.
•If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of the soil and run the tiller in reversefor
afew feet. This may unwind a good deal of debris.
•It may be necessaryto remove the debris by hand (a pocket knifewill help you to cut awaythe material).
WARNING
Before clearing the tines by hand, stop the engine, allow all moving parts to stop and disconnect the spark plug wire.
Failure to follow this warning could result in personal injury.
Tilling on slopes
If you must garden on a moderate slope,
pleasefollow two very important guide- lines:
1.Till only on moderateslopes, never on steepground where footing is difficult (review safety rules in the "Safety" section of this manual).
2.We recommend tilling up and down slopes rather than terracing. Tilling vertically on a slope allows maximum planting areaand also leavesroom for cultivating.
IMPORTANT: When tilling on slopes, be sure the correct oil level is maintained in
the engine (check
engineoil levelat the full point at all times!
A. Tilling up and downslopes:
•To keep soil erosion to a minimum, be sure to add enough organic matter to the soil so that it has good moisture- holding texture and try to avoid leaving footprints or wheel marks.
•When tilling vertically, try to makethe first passuphill as the tiller digs more deeply going uphill than it does downhill. In soft soil or weeds, you may haveto lift handlebars slightly while going uphill.
B. Tilling acrossslopeswithout using terraces:
If previously described tilling methods aren'tpracticalfor you, then you can till laterallyacross a slope. However,we don'treally recommend this method as it can create unsure footing and invites soil erosion.
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