Controlling Speed And Tilling Depth
Wheel Yoke Adjustment
Place wheel yoke so that the wheels are forward (nearest point between wheels and tines) for shallow tilling, cultivating and transport. The forward speed will increase. Turn yoke around (farthest point between wheels and tines) for deep tilling. Forward speed will decrease. See Figure 6.
Position Wheel Yoke | Position Wheel Yoke |
For Deep Tilling | For Shallow Tilling |
Figure 6
Depth Stake Adjustment
The depth stake acts as a brake for the tiller and controls the depth and speed at which the machine will operate. Remove the clevis pin and hairpin clip to raise or lower depth stake. Refer to Figure 5.
By increasing the depth of the depth stake, the forward speed of the machine is reduced and the working depth is increased. When the depth stake is raised, the working depth of the machine is reduced and the forward speed is increased. The working depth of the machine may be predetermined by setting the depth stake and wheels so that the wheels are about four inches from the ground when the tines and depth stake are resting on the ground. This setting will permit a working depth of about four inches. When presetting the working depth, the handles should be adjusted so the hand grips are a little above waist. The tiller will be lower when the tines and depth stake penetrate the ground. See Figure 7.
When tilling, leave approximately 8 inches of untilled soil between the first and second tilling paths, then make the third path between the first and second. 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. In the latter case, the depth stake should be lowered before each succeeding pass over the garden. 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. See Figure 8.
Transport | Depth Stake | |||
Position | ||||
|
|
| ||
Shallow
Tilling
Deep | Wheel Setting For |
Tilling | Deep Tilling |
Figure 7
Figure 8
Handle Pressure
Further control of tilling depth and travel speed can be obtained by variation of pressure on the handles.
•A downward pressure on the handles will reduce the working depth and increase the forward speed.
•An upward pressure on the handles will increase
the working depth and reduce the forward speed. The type of soil and working conditions will determine the actual setting of the depth stake and the handle pressure required.
Transporting the Tiller
•To transport the tiller to or from the garden, pivot the depth stake forward and out of the way. With the throttle control in SLOW position, the unit will walk freely on the lawn. If the operator does not allow the tiller to move freely, the unit will start to till the surface. Refer to Figure 7.
Cultivating
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is desirable. Setting the wheels and depth stake so that the wheels are about two inches above the ground while the tiller is resting on the tines and depth stake will allow the machine to work at cultivating depth. The throttle should be set to control forward movement to a slow walking speed. With the outer tines installed, the
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