Tilling Procedure - Troy-Bilt Series 390 Operator's Manual

Handle Pressure
Further control of the tilling depth and travel speed can be
obtained by variation of pressure on the handles.
Downward pressure on the handles will reduce the working
depth and increase the forward speed. Upward pressure on the
handles will increase the working depth and reduce the forward
speed.
The type of soil and working conditions will determine the actual
setting of the depth gauge and the handle pressure required.
Transporting & Storing the Tiller
To transport and store the tiller move the throttle to the stop
position. Pivot the depth stake away from the ground and up
between the wheels. See Figure 4-3.
Using Your Tiller
Your tiller is designed for seed bed preparation, cultivating,
furrowing and mulching.

Tilling Procedure

When tilling, leave approximately eight inches of untilled soil
between the first and second tilling paths, then make the third
path between the first and second, see Figure 4-4.
4 5
In some soils, the desired depth is obtained the first time over
the garden. In other soils, the desired depth is obtained by going
over the garden two or three times. Passes should be made
across the length and width of the garden alternately. Rocks
which are turned up should be removed from the garden area.
12 S 4— c
ection ontrolS
2 3 1
Figure 4-4
& o
peration
Cultivating Procedures
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is desirable. The tine
width can be reduced to 13 inches by removing the outer tines
completely from the tiller. See the Maintenance & Adjustments
Section for instructions on removing the tines.
When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow enough width to
permit cultivation between the rows. In growing corn or similar
crops, check-row planting will permit cross cultivation and
practically eliminate hand hoeing. See Figure 4-5.
Figure 4-5
Other Uses
The tiller has many uses other than tilling and cultivating a
garden. One of these is the preparation of lawn area for seeding.
The tiller will prepare a deep seed bed which will be free of hard
untilled spots, allowing a better stand of grass to grow. The tiller
is very useful for loosening hard soil for excavation with a shovel;
No tedious handwork will be necessary. Your tiller may be used
for mixing compost in the pile or for mixing it with the soil in
your garden. This should be done after the soil has been broken
to the full working depth. The compost should be worked in
to a depth of six to seven inches. This may be done by working
the length of the garden and then by making separate passes
across its width. The addition of decayed organic matter will
substantially increase the fertility of your garden. For proper
decaying action, fertilizer should be applied and worked in with
the mulch materials. Breaking up leaves and straw and mixing it
with several inches of soil allows proper aeration of the plant root
system and retards the growth of weeds.