Bolens 643B, 643C, 645A warranty Read the following recommendations before tilling on slopes

Let the Tiller Do the Work Avoid Making Footprints Avoid Tilling Soggy, Wet Soil

While tilling, relax and let the wheels pull the tiller along while the tines do the digging. Walk on the side that is not yet finished (to avoid making footprints in the freshly tilled soil) and lightly, but securely grip the handlebar with just one hand.

Whenever possible, walk on the untilled side of the unit to avoid making foot- prints in your freshly tilled or cultivated soil. Footprints cause soil compaction that can hamper root penetration and contribute to soil erosion. They can also “plant” unwanted weed seeds back into the freshly tilled ground.

Tilling wet soil often results in large, hard clumps of soil that can interfere with planting. If time permits, wait a day or two after heavy rains to allow the soil to dry before tilling. Test soil by squeez- ing it into a ball. If it compresses too easily, it is too wet to till.

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 Fig. 4-6). When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle, as shown in Fig. 4-7. 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 lengthwise and then crosswise tilling, then overlap the first passes by one-half a tiller width, followed by successive passes at one-quarter width (see Fig. 4-8).

Cultivating

With planning, you can allow enough room between rows to cultivate (see Fig. 4-9). Leave room for the hood width, plus enough extra room for future plant growth.

Tilling On Slopes

Read the following recommendations before tilling on slopes:

If you must garden on a moderate slope, please follow two very important guidelines:

1.Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep ground where footing is difficult (review safety rules in Section 1: Safety of this manual).

2.We recommend tilling up and down slopes rather than terracing. Tilling vertically on a slope allows maximum planting area and also leaves room for cultivating.

IMPORTANT: When tilling on slopes, be sure the correct oil level is maintained in the engine (check every one-half hour of operation). The incline of the slope will cause the oil to slant away from its normal level and this can starve engine parts of required lubrication. Keep the motor oil level at the full point at all times!

Tilling Up and Down Slopes (Vertical Tilling)

•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 make the first pass uphill as the tiller digs more deeply going uphill than it does downhill. In soft soil or weeds, you may have to lift the handlebars slightly while going uphill. When going downhill, overlap the first pass by about one-half the width of the tiller

Fig. 4-6	Fig. 4-7
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	Fig. 4-8

Fig. 4-9

Clearing the Tines

The tines have a self-clearing action which eliminates most tangling of debris in the tines. However, occasion- ally dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines may become tangled. Follow these procedures to help avoid tangling and to clean the tines, if necessary.

•To reduce tangling, set the depth regulator deep enough to get maximum “chopping” action as the tines chop the material against the ground. Also, try to till under crop residues or cover crops while they are green, moist and tender.

•While tilling, try swaying the handlebars from side to side (about 6” to 12”). This “fishtailing” action often clears the tines of debris.

•If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of the soil and run the tiller in reverse (if unit is equipped with powered reverse) for a few feet. This reversing action should unwind a good deal of debris.

•It may be necessary to remove the debris by hand (a pocket knife will help you to cut away the material). Be sure to stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before clearing the tines by hand.

4

Operating Your Tiller

WARNING

Before clearing the tines by hand, stop the engine, allow all mov- ing parts to stop and disconnect the spark plug wire. Remove the ignition key on electric start models.

Failure to follow this warning could result in personal injury

Loading and unloading the tiller into a vehicle is potentially hazard- ous and we don’t recommend doing so unless absolutely nec- essary, as this could result in personal injury or property damage. However, if you must load or unload the tiller, follow the guidelines given .

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