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Section 4: Operation
Tilling Tips &Techniques

Let the tiller do the work

• 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 foot-
prints in the freshly tilled soil) and
lightly, but securely grip the handlebar
with just one hand.
• Avoid pushing 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
helping to hold the tiller back, the tines
will attempt to propel the tiller – often
causing the tiller to skip rapidly across
the ground. (Sometimes, slight down-
ward 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
at all.)

Tilling depths

• 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 reg-
ulator 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 the
surface soil around plants to help
destroy weeds), use very shallow depth
settings to prevent injury to plants whose
roots often grow close to the surface. If
needed, lift up on the handlebars slightly
to prevent the tines from digging too
deeply. (Cultivating on a regular basis
not only eliminates weeds, it also loosens
and aerates the soil for better moisture
absorption and faster plant growth.)

Avoid tilling soggy, wet soil

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.

Avoid making footprints

When possible, walk on the untilled side
of the unit to avoid making footprints in
the freshly tilled 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.

Choosing correct wheel

and tine speeds

With experience, you will find the “just
right” tilling depth and tilling speed com-
bination that is best for your garden.
Set the Engine Throttle Control Lever to
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.

Suggested tilling patterns

• 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 4-6).
When finished in one direction, make a
second pass at a right angle as shown
in Figure 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 succes-
sive passes at one-quarter width (see
Figure 4-8).
• With planning, you can allow enough
room between rows to cultivate (see
Figure 4-9). Leave room for the hood
width, plus enough extra room for
future plant growth.
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3
Figure 4-6
Figure 4-7
Figure 4-8
Figure 4-9