MTD 21AA404B031 Operator's Manual page 16

Terrace Gardening
1. To create a terrace, start at the top of the slope and work
down. Go back and forth across the first row as shown in
Fig. 5-8.
O
I_'REPEAT
Figure 5-8
2.
Each succeeding lower terrace is started by walking below
the terrace you are preparing. For added stability of the
tiller, always keep the uphill wheel in the soft, newly tilled
soil. Do not till the last 12" or more of the downhill outside
edge of each terrace. This untilled strip helps prevent the
terraces from breaking apart and washing downhill. It also
provides a walking path between the rows.
Loading & Unloading the Tiller
WARNING! Loading and unloading the tiller into a
vehicle is potentially hazardous and doing so is not
recommended unless absolutely 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 the tiller, 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 and bulky to be safely lifted by one
person. Two or more people should share the load.
Use sturdy ramps and manually -- with the engine shut
off-- roll the tiller into and out of the vehicle. Two or more
people are needed to do this.
The 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 also 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 the loading vehicle so that the ramp angle is as flat
as possible (the less incline to the ramp, the better). Turn
the vehicle's engine offand apply the parking brake.
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 the 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 the 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 in the WHEEL DRIVE position. Chock the wheels
with blocks and securely tie the tiller down.
SECTION S-- OPERATION