Loadingandunloading, Unloadingthe tiller into

TILLING

TIPS& TECHNIQUES(CON'T)

TerraceGardening(continued)

•Tocreateaterrace, startat the top of the slopeandworkdown. Gobackandforth acrossthe first rowas shownin Fig.4-10.

•Eachsucceedinglowerterraceisstartedbywalkingbelowtheterraceyou'repre- paring. Foraddedstabilityof thetiller,alwayskeepthe uphillwheelinthe soft, new-

ly tilled soil. Do not till the last 12"or more of the downhill outsideedgeof each terrace. This untilled strip helps preventsthe terraces from breaking apart and

e_ll_l___....__,_,..

_1_

ClearingtheTines

Thetines havea self-clearingaction which eliminatesmost tangling of debris in thetines. However,occasionallydry grass,stringy stalksor tough vinesmaybe- cometangled• Followthese proceduresto helpavoid tangling andto cleanthe tines, if necessary.

•To reducetangling, set the depth regulator deep enoughto get maximum "chopping"actionasthe tines chop the materialagainstthe ground. Also,try to till undercrop residuesor covercropswhile theyaregreen,moist andtender.

•While powercomposting,try swayingthe handlebarsfrom sideto side (about 6"to 12'_)This. "fishtailing" action oftenclearsthe tines of debris.

•If tanglingoccurs, liftthe tinesout of the soiland runthetiller in reverse(if unit is equippedwith poweredreverse) for a fewfeet. This reversingactionshould unwinda gooddealof debris•

•It maybenecessaryto removethe debrisby hand (a pocketknifewill helpyou to cut awaythe mate- rial). Besure to stop the engineand disconnectthe spark plugwire beforeclearingthe tines by hand.

_	WARNING:	Beforeclearing the
	tines by hand, stop the engine,allow
	all moving partsto stop and
	disconnect the spark plug wire.
	Removethe ignition keyon electric
	start models.
	Failureto follow this warning could
result	in personal injury.

LOADINGANDUNLOADING

THETILLER

,_	unloadingthe tiller into
	WARNING:	Loadingand

vehicle is potentially hazardous andwe don'trecommend doing so unlessabsolutely necessary, asthis could result in personal

injury or property damage• However,if you must load or unloadthe tiller, follow the guidelines given next.

•Before loading or unloading,stop the en- gine, wait for all parts to stop moving,

disconnect the spark plug wire and let the engineand muffler cool.

°The tiller is t°° heavyand bulky t° lift safely by one person Two or more people should share the load.

•Usesturdy rampsand manually(engine

shut off) roll the tiller into and out of the vehicle.Two or more peopleare neededto

•doThethisramps. must be strong enough to support the combined weight of the tiller and any handlers•The ramps should pro- vide goodtraction to preventslipping; they should have side rails to guidethe tiller

alongthe ramps; and they should have a locking deviceto secure them to the vehicle•

• Thehandlersshouldwearsturdyfootwear

that will helpto preventshppmg

"" " ,

• Position the loading vehicle so that the ramp angle is as flat as possible (the less incline to the ramp, thebetter). Turn the vehicle'sengine °ff and apply its parking brake,

•When going up ramps, stand in the

normal operating position and push the

tiller aheadof you. Havea person at each side to turn the wheels.

•When going down ramps, walk back-

alertwardforwithanytheobstaclestiller followingbehindyouyou. .KeepPosi- tion a person at eachwheel to control the speed of the tiller• Nevergo down ramps tiller-first, as the tiller could tip forward.

* Placewooden blocks onthe downhill

side of the wheels if you needto stop the tiller from rolling down the ramp. Also, usethe blocksto temporarily keepthe tiller inplaceontheramps(ifnecessary),andto

chock the wheels in place after the tiller is in the vehicle.

•After loadingthe tiller, prevent it from rolling by engagingthe wheels in the

WHEELDRIVEposition. Chockthe wheels with blocks andsecurelytie the tiller down.