Cub Cadet RT 35 Operator's Manual page 9

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 4-5.
Figure 4-5
• When finished in one direction, make a second
pass at a right angle, as shown in Figure 4-6.
Overlap each pass for the best results (in very
hard ground, it may take three or four passes
to thoroughly pulverize the soil.)
Figure 4-6
• If the garden size will not permit lengthwise
and then crosswise tilling, then overlap the
first pass by one-half a tiller width, followed
by successive passes at one-quarter width. See
Figure 4-7.
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3
Figure 4-7
Tilling on a Slope
WARNING! Do not operate the tiller
on a slope too steep for safe operation.
Till slowly and be sure you have good
footing. Never permit the tiller to
freewheel down slopes. Failure to
follow this warning could result in
personal injury.
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep
ground where the footing is difficult.
2. Tilling up and down slopes is recommended
over terracing. Tilling vertically on a slope
allows maximum planting area and also leaves
room for cultivating.
NOTE: 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 a Slope
1. 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.
2. 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.
Terrace Gardening
1. To create a terrace, start at the top of the slope
and work down. Go back and forth across the
first row as shown in Figure 4-8.
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3
12" UNTILLED
1
REPEAT
DOWNHILL
Figure 4-8
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2. Each succeeding lower terrace is started by
walking below the terrace you are preparing.
For added stability of the tiller, always keep
the uphill wheel in the soft, newly tilled soil.
Do not till the last 12" or more of the downhill
outside edge of each terrace. This untilled
strip helps prevent the terraces from breaking
apart and washing downhill. It also provides a
walking path between the rows.
Clearing the Tines
• The tines have a self-clearing action which
eliminates most of the tangling of debris.
However, occasionally dry grass, stringy stalks
or tough vines may become tangled. Follow
these procedures to help avoid tangling and
to clear the tines, if necessary.
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Loading & Unloading the Tiller
However, if you must load or unload the tiller, follow
the guidelines given next.
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UPHILL
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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 "fishtailing"
action often clears the tines of debris.
WARNING! Before clearing the tines
by hand, stop the engine, allow all
moving parts to stop and disconnect
the spark plug wire. Failure to follow
this warning could result in personal
injury.
WARNING! Loading and unloading
the tiller into a vehicle is potentially
hazardous and doing so is not
recommended unless absolutely
necessary, as this could result in
personal injury or property damage.
Before loading or unloading the tiller, stop
the engine, wait for all parts to stop moving,
disconnect the spark plug wire and let the
engine and muffler cool.
The tiller is too heavy and bulky to be safely
lifted by one person. Two or more people
should share the load.
Use sturdy ramps and manually — with the
engine shut off — roll the tiller into and out of
the vehicle. Two or more people are needed
to do this.
The ramps must be strong enough to support
the combined weight of the tiller and any
handlers. The ramps should provide good
traction to prevent slipping; they should also
have side rails to guide the tiller along the
ramps; and they should have a locking device
to secure them to the vehicle.
The handlers should wear sturdy footwear that
will help to prevent slipping.
Position the loading vehicle so that the ramp
angle is as flat as possible (the less incline to
the ramp, the better). Turn the vehicle's engine
off and apply the parking brake.
When going up the ramps, stand in the normal
operating position and push the tiller ahead
of you. Have a person at each side to turn the
wheels.
When going down the ramps, walk backward
with the tiller following you. Keep alert for any
obstacles behind you. Position a person at
each wheel to control the speed of the tiller.
Never go down the ramps tiller-first, as the
tiller could tip forward.
Place wooden blocks on the downhill side of
the wheels if you need to stop the tiller from
rolling down the ramp. Also, use the blocks
to temporarily keep the tiller in place on the
ramps (if necessary), and to chock the wheels
in place after the tiller is in the vehicle.
After loading the tiller, prevent it from rolling
by engaging the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE
position. Chock the wheels with blocks and
securely tie the tiller down.
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