MTD 400 Operator's Manual page 15

Choosing Correct Wheel & TineSpeeds
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.
SuggestedTilling 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 Fig. 5-5.
Figure 5=5
When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a
right angle, as shown in Fig. 5-6. Overlap each pass for the
best results (in very hard ground, it may take three or four
passes to thoroughly pulverize the soil.)
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Figure 5-6
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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 Fig. 5-7.
Figure 5-7
Tillingona Slope
WARNING! 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 UpandDown 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.
SECTION S -- OPERATION
15