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OPERATION
Tilling Tips & Techniques
Let the tiller do the work
• While tiUing, relax and let the wheels
pull the tiller along whilethe tines do
the digging. Walk on the side that is
' notyet finished (to avoid making foot-
prints in the freshly tilled soil) and
lightly, but securely grip the handlebar
with just one hand. See Figure 3-11.
• Avoid the temptation to push down on
the handlebars in an attempt to force
the tiller to dig deeper. Pushing down
on the handlebarstakes the weight off
the poweredwheels,causingthem to
lose traction. Without the wheels help-
ing to hold the tiller back, the tines will
attempt to propel the tiller- causing
the _iller to move rapidly back toward
you. (Sometimes, slight downward
pressure on the handlebarswill help
get through a particularly tough section
of sod or unbroken ground, but in
most casesthis won't be necessary at
all.)
Tilling depths
• This is a CRT (counter-rotating tine)
tiller. As the wheels pull forward, the
tines rotate backward. This createsan
"uppercut" tine action which digs
deeply, uprooting soil and weeds.
Don't overload the engine, but dig as
deeplyas possible on each pass. On
later passes, the wheels may tend to
spinin the soft dirt. Help them along
by lifting slightly on the handlebar (us-
ing just one hand, palm upward, works
most easily).
• Watering the garden area a few days
prior to tilling will maketiltingeasier,as
will letting the newly worked soil rest
for a day or two before making a final,
deep tilling pass.
• When cultivating (breaking up the sur-
face soil around plantsto help destroy
weeds), adjust the tines to dig only 1-
U2" to 2"deep. Using shallow tilling
depths helps preventInjury to plants
whoseroots often grow close to thesur-
face. If needed,lift up on the handlebars
slightlyto preventthe tinesfrom digging
too deeply. Cultivatingon a regular basis
not only eliminatesweeds,it also loosens
and aeratesthe soil for better moisture
absorption and fasterplant growth.)
Avoidtilling
soggy, wet soil
Tillingwet soil often results in large,
hard clumps of soil that can interfere
with planting. If time permits, wait a
day or two after heavy rains to allow
the soil to dry before tilling. Testsoil
by squeezing it into a ball. If it com-
presses too easily, it is too wet to till.
Avoidmakingfootprints
• Whenever possible, walk on the untilled
side of the unit to avoid making foot-
prints in your freshly tiltedor cultivated
soil. Footprints cause soil compaction
that can hamper root penetration and
contribute to soil erosion. They can
also "plant" unwanted weedseeds back
into the freshly tilled ground.
Choosing correctwheel
and tine speed
With experience, y ou will find the "just
right" tilling depth and tilling speedcom-
bination that is best for your garden.
Set the engine throttle lever at a speedto
give the engine adequate power and yet
allow it to operate at the slowest possi-
ble speed...at least until you have
achieved the maximum tilling depth you
desire. Faster engine speeds may be de-
sirable when making final passes
through the seedbedor when cultivating.
Selection of the correct engine speed, in
relation to the tilling depth, will ensurea
sufficient power level to do the job with-
out 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 widthon the
rest of the passes (see Figure 3-15).
When finished in one direction, make a
second pass at a right angle as shown
in Figure3-16. Overlapeach pass for
best results (in very hard ground it
may take three or four passesto thor-
oughly pulverize the soil).
. 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 succes-
sive passesat one-quarter width (see
Figure 3-17).
With planning, you can allow enough
room between rows to cultivate (see
Figure3-18). Leave room for the hood
width, plus enough extra room for fu-
ture piant growth.
Clearingthe tines
Thetines have a self-clearing action
whicheliminates most tangling of debris
in the tines. However, occasionally dry
grass, stringy stalks or tough vines may
becometangled. Follow these proce-
dures to help avoid tangling and to clean
the tines, if necessary.
• To reduce tangling, set the depth regu-
lator 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 power composting, try swaying
the handlebarsfrom side to side (about
6"to 12"). This "fishtaiting" action of.
ten clears the tines of debris.
• If the procedures above don't clear the
debris, it may be necessary to remove
the debris by hand (a pocket knife will
help you cut away the material).
WARNING
Before clearing the tines by
hand, stop the engine, al-
low all moving parts to stop
and disconnect the spark
plug wire,
Failure to follow this warn-
ing could result in personal
injury.
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