Ariens 18 Series Owner's Manual page 9

Stopping Tiller
To stop tiller, position Main Clutch in "NEUTRAL" and
move throttle control to stop.
Tire Pressure
Recommended Tire Pressure is 14 PSI.
Tilling Tips
CAUTION: After striking a foreign
object, disengage Main Clutch, wait for
moving parts to stop, remove wire from
spark plug, thoroughly inspect tiller for
any damage and repair damage before
restarting and operating tiller.
You don't need to exert pressure or weight on
handlebars while you are tilling. Heavy pressure on
handlebars will cause tines to try to propel tiller
instead of digging. Keep both hands on handle grips
when tilling to maintain balance and direction of tiller.
Practice operating controls and running tiller (with
tines out of ground) before starting to till.
When tilling for first time, set depth control in second
notch to a tilling depth of 1/2 to 1" - just enough to
break hard soil crust or sod.
Operation (Continued)
7
NOTE: Tilling depth will vary with ground conditions.
Depth stick increases drag when point is installed
forward.
When reaching end of a row. lift handlebars to raise
tines out of ground. Push handlebars to right or left
so tiller turns in desired direction.
If loss of control occurs because of the tines
impacting hard ground or hidden objects do not
attempt to force the tines down by hanging on the
handlebar. Stand well clear of the rotating tines and
re-establish control by lifting upward on the handles
to remove tines from the soil.
Don't let crop residue, rye grass, stringy stalks, vines,
etc., build up to a point where it chokes off action of
tines. Reverse tiller to unwind and reduce amount of
tangle.
CAUTION: Disengage clutches, stop
engine and remove wire from spark plug
before removing debris by hand.
NOTE: DO NOT till wet soil, it produces hard-to-
break lumps. Tilling soil that is too dry results in
powdered soil.