Ryobi Outdoor RY46501A manual Preparing the Seed BED

OPERATION

nDepress the switch lock-out.

nPull the switch trigger toward the handlebar to begin tine rotation.

nTo stop the cultivator, release the switch trigger.

SWITCH

TRIGGER

2	1	SWITCH
		STOP

Fig. 8

PREPARING THE SEED BED

See Figure 9.

The cultivator can be used to break up garden soil and prepare a seedbed for planting. Plan ahead to leave enough room between the seed rows to allow for machine cultivating after the plants have grown.

nWith the wheel assembly accessory installed in position A as described on page 14, roll the machine to the work area.

nFor general cultivating, remove or adjust the wheel assem- bly accessory using the guidelines in “Adjusting Wheel Position” on page 14.

nThe drag bar has two installation positions to choose from. Based on the type of soil being cultivated and soil conditions at the time, the appropriate height of the drag bar will vary. Adjust the drag bar position using the guidelines in “Adjusting Drag Bar Position” on page 14.

nPlug the unit into an approved outdoor extension cord.

nRoute the extension cord through the extension cord retainer rings.

nStand behind the unit with the tines on the ground and the work area clean and free of obstructions.

nDepress the switch lock-out.

nPull the switch trigger toward the handlebar to begin tine rotation.

NOTE: If the machine moves forward too quickly and wheels are in position A or B with drag bar installed, push down on the handlebar to allow the drag bar to penetrate the soil and slow the forward motion of the unit. The rotating tines help to pull the machine forward,

Fig. 9

so use slower speeds and a shallow depth setting when learning to use the unit and when cultivating on rough or uneven ground.

NOTE: Several passes over the same path may be required to reach the desired depth. Do not try to dig too deeply in the first pass. If the machine jumps or bucks, allow the unit to move forward at a slightly faster rate or install wheel as- sembly accessory.

To dig more deeply, lift up on the handlebar. Apply downward pressure on the handlebar for more shallow cultivating.

If the machine stays and digs in one spot, try rocking the unit from side to side to start it moving forward again.

If the soil is very hard, water a few days before cultivating.

Avoid working the soil when soggy or wet. Wait a day or two after heavy rain for the ground to dry.

12