Bolens 12226 Tilling Tips & Techniques, Operation, Tilling Depths, Let the Tiller Do the Work

Section 4: Operation 13

TILLING TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Tilling Depths

•Avoid 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 lose traction. Without the wheels to help 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.)

•Avoid trying to dig too deeply too quickly, especially when busting sod or when tilling soil that hasn’t been tilled for some time. Use shallow depth regulator 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 surface soil around plants to destroy weeds, see Figure 4-8), adjust the tines to dig only 1" to 2" deep. Using shallow tilling depths helps prevent injury to plants whose roots often grow close to the surface. If needed, lift up on the handle- bars slightly to prevent the tines from digging too deeply. (Cultivating on a regular basis eliminates weeds, and loosens and aerates the soil for better moisture absorption and faster plant growth.)

Choosing Correct Wheel and Tine Speeds

With experience, you will find the “just right” tilling depth and tilling speed combination that is best for your garden.

Set the engine throttle lever at a speed to give the engine adequate power and yet allow it to operate at the slowest possible speed...at least until you have achieved the maximum tilling depth you desire. Faster engine speeds may be desirable when making final passes through the seedbed or when cultivating. Selection of the correct engine speed, in relation to the tilling depth, will ensure a sufficient power level to do the job without causing the engine to labor.

Let the Tiller Do the Work	Avoid Making Footprints	Avoid Tilling Soggy, Wet Soil
While tilling, relax and let the wheels pull	Whenever possible, walk on the untilled	Tilling wet soil often results in large, hard
the tiller along while the tines do the	side of the unit to avoid making footprints	clumps of soil that can interfere with plant-
digging. Walk on the side that is not yet	in your freshly tilled or cultivated soil.	ing. If time permits, wait a day or two after
finished (to avoid making footprints in the	Footprints cause soil compaction that can	heavy rains to allow the soil to dry before
freshly tilled soil) and lightly, but securely	hamper root penetration and contribute to	tilling. Test soil by squeezing it into a ball.
grip the handlebar with just one hand.	soil erosion. They can also “plant”	If it compresses too easily, it is too wet to
	unwanted weed seeds back into the	till.
	freshly tilled ground.

Preparing Seedbeds

•When preparing a seedbed, go over the same path twice in the first row, then overlap one-half the tiller width on the rest of the passes (see Figure 4-5). When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle, as shown in Figure 4-6. Overlap each pass for best results (in very hard ground, it may take three or four passes to thoroughly pulverize the soil.)

• If the garden size will not permit	1
lengthwise and then crosswise			2
tilling, then overlap the first passes	3
by one-half a tiller width, followed
by successive passes at one-
		Figure 4-7
quarter width (see Figure 4-7).

Figure 4-5	Figure 4-6
Cultivating
With planning, you can allow
enough room between rows
to cultivate (see Figure 4-8).
Leave room for the hood

width, plus	enough
extra room for future
plant growth.	Figure 4-8