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16
Section 4: Operation
TILLING TIPS & TECHNIQUES (cont.)
Tilling On Slopes
Read the following recommendations before tilling on slopes:
If you must garden on a moderate slope, please follow two very
important guidelines:
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep ground where
footing is difficult (review safety rules in Section 1: Safety of this
manual).
2. Till up and down slopes rather than across slopes. Tilling verti-
cally on a slope allows maximum planting area and also leaves
room for cultivating.
IMPORTANT: When tilling on slopes, maintain correct motor oil
level (check every one-half hour of operation). The slope incline
causes the oil to slant away from its normal level which can starve
engine parts of lubrication. Keep the motor oil level at the full point
at all times!
Clearing the Tines
The tines have a self-clearing action which eliminates most tangling of debris in the tines.
However, occasionally dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines may become tangled.
Follow these procedures to help avoid tangling and to clean the tines, if necessary.
• 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 "fishtail-
ing" action often clears the tines of debris.
• If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of the soil and run the tiller in reverse (if unit is
equipped with powered reverse) for a few feet. This reversing action of the tines should
unwind most of the debris.
• It may be necessary to remove the debris by hand (a pocket knife will help you to cut
away the material). Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before clearing
the tines by hand.
LOADING AND UNLOADING TILLER
WARNING
Loading and unloading the tiller into a
vehicle is potentially hazardous and we
don't recommend doing so unless abso-
lutely necessary, as this could result in
personal injury or property damage.
However, if you must load or unload the
tiller, follow the guidelines given next.
• Before loading or unloading, 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 (over 175 lbs.,
depending on model) and bulky to lift
safely by one person. Two or more
people should share the load.
Do not operate the tiller on a slope too steep for safe opera-
tion. Till slowly and be sure that you have good footing.
Never permit the tiller to freewheel down slopes. Failure to
follow this warning could result in personal injury.
Tilling Up and Down Slopes (Vertical Tilling)
• To minimize soil erosion, add enough organic matter to the soil for
good moisture-holding texture, and avoid leaving footprints or
wheel marks.
• When tilling vertically, try to make the first pass uphill (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.
• Use sturdy ramps and manually (engine
shut off) roll the tiller into and out of the
vehicle. Two or more people are needed
to do this.
• 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 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 loading vehicle with ramp angle
as flat as possible (the less incline to the
ramp, the better). Turn vehicle's engine
off and apply its parking brake.
WARNING
WARNING
Before clearing the tines by hand, stop
the engine, allow all moving parts to
stop and disconnect the spark plug
wire. Remove the ignition key on elec-
tric start models. Failure to follow
this warning could result in personal
injury.
• 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 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 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 (put
Wheel Gear Lever into ENGAGE). Chock
the wheels with blocks and securely tie
the tiller down.
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