Craftsman CMXGVAM1144043 Instruction Manual page 11

Depth Stake
The depth stake acts as a brake for the tiller and controls the depth and speed at
which the machine will operate. Remove the clevis pin and hairpin clip to raise or
lower the depth stake. See Figure 13.
Adjusting the Handle Height
The handle should be adjusted so that when the tiller is digging 3-4" into the soil, the
handle falls to about waste-high. To adjust handle, simply loosen the handle knob (a),
move the handle to the desired height (b) and retighten the handle knob. See Figure
14.
a
OPERATION
Depth Stake
Figure 13
b
Figure 14
Clearing the Tines
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.
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.
• 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.
Tilling Tips & Techniques
Before tilling, contact your telephone or utilities company and inquire if
underground equipment or lines are used on your property. Do not till near
buried electric cables, telephone lines, pipes or hoses.
Tilling Depth
• This is a FRT (forward-rotating tine) tiller. When the forward tine
engagement lever is pressed against the handle the tines rotate forward.
This creates an "uppercut" tine action which digs deeply, uprooting soil and
weeds. Don't overload the engine, but dig as deeply as possible on each pass.
• When cultivating (breaking up the surface soil around the plants to destroy
weeds, See Figure 15), try to have the tines only dig 1" to 2" deep. Using the
shallow tilling depth helps prevent injury to the plants whose roots often
grow close to the surface. If needed, lift up on the handlebars slightly to
prevent the tines from digging too deeply. (Cultivating on a regular basis not
only eliminates weeds, it also loosens and aerates the soil for better moisture
absorption and faster plant growth.) Watering the garden area a few days
prior to tilling will make tilling easier, as will letting the newly worked soil
set for a day or two before making a final, deep tilling pass.
11
WARNING
WARNING
Figure 15