Craftsman CMXGVAM1144043 Instruction Manual page 12

Choosing the Correct Tine Speed
With experience, you will find the tilling depth and tilling speed combination that
is best for your garden. Set the engine throttle lever at a speed to give the engine
adequate power and yet allow it to operate at the slowest possible speed until you
have achieved the maximum tilling depth you desire. Faster engine speeds may
be desirable when making final passes through the seedbed or when cultivating.
Selection of the correct engine speed, in relation to the tilling depth, will ensure a
sufficient power level to do the job without causing the engine to labor.
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 16.
• When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle, See
Figure 17. Overlap each pass for the best results (in very hard ground, it may
take three or four passes to thoroughly pulverize the soil).
Figure 16
Figure 17
OPERATION
• 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 successive
passes at one-quarter width. See Figure 18.
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Tilling on a Slope
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 & 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.
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Figure 18
WARNING