Troy-Bilt 21AE682W766 Operator's Manual page 13

• Move the belt into LOW belt range and the
Wheel Speed Gear Lever to SLOW position.
As in terrace gardening, start at the top of the
slope and overlap the first pass by half the
width of the tiller. For added stability, keep
the uphill wheel in the soft, newly tilled soil.
Each succeeding terraced area is started by
walking below the terrace you are preparing.
See Figure 4-17.
Figure 4-17
Power Composting
Power composting means tilling under and burying
in the soil all manner of organic matter such as crop
residues, leaves, grass clippings and cover crops. This
material will decompose during the non-growing
season and add important natural nutrients to the
soil.
WARNING! When power composting, do
not keep the Depth Regulator Lever at a
deep setting if the tiller jumps or bucks. If
jumping or bucking occurs, move the
Depth Regulator Lever down to one of
the shallower settings and then slowly
increase the tilling depth on later passes.
Failure to comply could result in loss of
tiller control, property damage or personal
injury.
• Begin by composting crop residues such as
leftover vines, stalks, stems and roots. Power
compost these crop residues as soon as they
finish bearing. The sooner this is done, the
better, as tender green matter is easier to
till under. Use the deepest depth regulator
setting possible without causing the engine to
labor or the tiller to jump ahead.
• Standing cornstalks of reasonable height can
be power composted. See Figure 4-18.
Figure 4-18
• Pushing over (but not uprooting) cornstalks
will often make it easier for your tiller to chop
up the stalks. Keep the tines clear of excessive
tangling by "fishtailing" or frequently using
reverse. Make several passes, then return a few
days later to finish off any remaining stubble.
• After tilling under crop residues, add more
organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings
and even kitchen scraps. When tilled into the
soil, this organic matter will decompose and
add even more important nutrients to the soil.
• After power composting, you may want to
plant a "green manure" cover crop to protect
the soil during the off-season. Grow a crop
of clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, peas, beans, rye
grass, grain, or kale and then till it into the soil
prior to the planting season.
Wide-Row Planting
The wide-row planting technique is spreading seeds
anywhere from 10 inches to 2 feet wide or more. As a
result, you can grow anywhere from 3 to 4 times (or
more) produce in the same space that is normally set
aside for an area that has narrow, single rows.
Wide-row planting automatically shades the ground
which keeps weed growth down and also holds
moisture in the soil. And of course, harvesting is
much easier — everything is right at hand to be
picked. Preparing wide rows is easy — after you
prepare the seedbed and mark off the rows with
string, hand-broadcast the seeds as if seeding a lawn
— not quite as much as lawn seed). Cover with soil
and tamp the area firmly with a hoe.
Tilling Under Corn
After corn is harvested, the stalks should be tilled into
the soil while still green. Dry plants are more difficult
to till under, and the roots break loose too easily.
NOTE: Do not pull the roots out by hand or cut the
stalks before tilling. Stalks that are firmly anchored
by their roots are much easier for the tines to chop,
cut, and work under.
1. As you move forward into a row of stalks, aim
the tiller so that the stalks go between the left
wheel and the transmission case. See Figure
4-18. Do not use the right wheel because
damage could occur to the air cleaner,
carburetor or throttle linkage.
2. Each new pass should overlap the previous
pass by one-half the width of the tiller.
3. Till as deeply as possible. Pull the Depth
Regulator all the way UP and engage the
lowest notch for deep tilling. Use either
LOW or HIGH belt range and SLOW wheel
speed gear position. Let the tilled-in stalks
decompose for a week or so. Then till in the
remaining residue as deep as possible.
PTO Power Feature
Your tiller is a self-contained PTO (Power Take-Off)
Power machine that was shipped with a tine
attachment installed. The tine attachment can be
quickly removed and replaced with other optional
attachments. See Figure 4-19. The following
instructions will familiarize you with your PTO Power
machine. Please read these pages carefully. The
following steps explain how to remove and replace
the tine attachment. You will need a 3⁄4" wrench,
minimum 12" long for leverage.
Figure 4-19
NOTE: Before operating your PTO Power machine for
the first time, make sure that you have read all the
safety instructions in the Safe Operation Practices
section of this manual and in the as well as the
manual supplied with any attachment. Read the
controls information and operating procedures for
the tiller and engine described in the Assembly &
Set-Up and the Controls & Features sections. Also be
sure to read the Engine Operator's Manual.
Removing the Tine Attachment
1. Move the tiller to level ground.
2. Be sure the engine is stopped, the electric
start key is removed, and the spark plug wire is
disconnected and moved away from the spark
plug.
3. Place a sturdy support under the engine to
prevent the engine from tipping forward
when the tine attachment is removed. See
Figure 4-20.
Figure 4-20
4. Place the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever into
NEUTRAL.
5. Place Tines/PTO Clutch Lever in DISENGAGE.
6. Place Wheel Speed Lever into FREE WHEEL.
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