15
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 .
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
footprints in the freshly tilled soil)
and lightly, but securely grip the
handlebar with just one hand.
Avoid Making Footprints
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.
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.
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.) Fig. 4-6 Fig. 4-7
• 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. 4-8
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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 “fishtailin g”
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.