Operating Your Tiller

Tilling Procedure

When tilling, leave approximately eight inches of untilled soil between the first and second tilling paths, then make the third path between the first and second, Figure 4–7.

In some soils, the desired depth is obtained the first time over the garden. In other soils, the desired depth is obtained by going over the garden two or three times. Passes should be made across the length and width of the garden alternately. Rocks which are turned up should be removed from the garden area.

With the outer tines installed, the working width of the machine is 24 inches. This width may be expanded to

26 inches by removing the clevis and cotter pins, sliding each outer tine outward away from the center of the unit and resecuring the pins in the holes provided.

See Figure 4–8.

4 5 2 3 1

Figure 4–7: Recommended tiller paths.

Removing End Caps

The end cap, which is used to avoid tilled soil from overflowing onto unwanted areas, are removable from the

axle. Remove the hairpin clip and clevis pin that secure

each end cap and slide the end caps off the axle. Figure 4–8: Moving and removing outer tines. See Figure 4–9.

WARNING

Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the tiller while starting engine or operating the unit.

Cultivating

For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is desirable. The tine width can be reduced to 13 inches by removing the outer tines completely from the tiller. See figure 4–8. When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow enough width to permit cultivation between the rows. In growing corn or similar crops, check-row planting will permit cross cultivation and practically eliminate hand hoeing.

Figure 4–10.

The tiller has many uses other than tilling and cultivating a garden. One of these is the preparation of lawn area for seeding. The tiller will prepare a deep seed bed which will be free of hard untilled spots, allowing a better stand of grass to grow. The tiller is very useful for loosening hard soil for excavation with a shovel; No tedious handwork will be necessary. Your tiller may be used for mixing compost in the pile or for mixing it with the soil in your garden. This should be done after the soil has been broken to the full working depth. The compost should be worked in to a depth of six to seven inches. This may be done by working the length of the garden and then by making separate passes across its width. The addition of decayed organic matter will substantially increase

the fertility of your garden. For proper decaying action, fertilizer should be applied and worked in with the mulch materials. Breaking up leaves and straw and mixing it with several inches of soil allows proper aeration of the plant root system and retards the growth of weeds.

Figure 4–9: Removing end caps.

Figure 4–10: Allow area between rows for cultivation.

Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and tiller.

Refer to the engine manual for detailed instructions pertaining to engine controls.