Avoid making footprints, Tilling on slopes

Section 4: Operation

Tilling Tips & Techniques

Avoid making footprints

When possible, walk on the untilled side of the unit to avoid making footprints in the freshly tilled soil (Figure 4-4). Foot- prints cause soil compaction that can hamper root penetration and contribute to soil erosion. They can also “plant” unwanted weed seeds back into the newly tilled soil.

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 (Figure 4-

14). When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle as shown in Figure 4-15. 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 (Figure 4-16).

•With planning, you can allow enough room between rows to cultivate (Figure 4-17). Leave room for the hood width, plus enough extra room for future plant growth.

Tilling on slopes

If you must garden on sloping ground, please follow two very important guide- lines:

1.Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep inclines where footing is difficult (review safety rules in the “Safety” Section 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 main- tained 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 engine oil level at the full point at all times!

A. Tilling up and down slopes:

•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.

WARNING

To avoid serious personal injury or damage to the equipment:

•Do not operate tiller on a slope too steep for safe operation. Go slowly on any slope. Make sure you have good footing.

•Wear footwear that increases stability and reduces slippage.

•Do not use FAST wheel speed position when on sloped ground.

•Do not shift the Wheel Speed Lever when heading up or down a slope. If lever is accidentally moved to FREE WHEEL position, the tiller could roll out of control.

•To prevent engine damage due to oil starvation (on slopes,the engine is inclined and oil moves away from surfaces that need lubrication), be sure the correct oil level is main- tained during all uphill/downhill tilling operations. Check the level of the oil in your engine after every one- half hour of operation.

•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.

HINT: For best results, use the HIGH belt range and SLOW wheel speed lever position. See Changing Speed Belts in this section for more information on changing to high range.

Figure 4-14

Figure 4-15

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