Troy-Bilt Horse 682J Operator's Manual page 23

Section 4: Operation
Figure 4-18
B. Terrace Gardening:
• When a slope is too steep or too short
for vertical tilling, it may be necessary
to till across the slope and create
terraced rows. Terracesare rows that
are cut into the side of a slope, creating
a narrow, but flat area on which to
plant.
• On a long slope, you can make several
terraces, one below the other.
• Terracesshould be only 2-to-3 feet
wide. Digging too far into the side of
the slope will expose poor subsoil that
is unproductive for plants.
• 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
Figure 4-18.
• Eachsucceeding lower terrace is
started by walking below the terrace
you're preparing. Foradded stability of
the tiller, always keepthe 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 prevents the
terraces from breaking apart and
washing downhill. It also provides a
walking path between rows.
Tilling Tips & Techniques
Clearingthe tines
The tines havea self-clearing action
which helps to eliminate most tangling
of debris. However, occasionally dry
grass, stringy stalks or tough vines may
become tangled.
Follow these procedures to help avoid
tangling and to clear the tines, if
necessary.
C. Tilling across slopes
withoutterracing
• If vertical or terracing gardening aren't
practical for you, then you can till
laterally across a slope. We don't
really recommend this method as it
can create unsure footing and invites
soil erosion.
• Study the terrain to make certain the
slope is not too steep for safe tilling.
If possible, make terraced rows or till
vertically.
• Move the belt into LOW belt range and
the Wheel Speed Gear Lever to SLOW
position. As in terrace gardening, start
at the top of the slope and overlapthe
first pass by halfthe width of the tiller.
Foradded stability, keepthe uphill
wheel in the soft, newly tilled soil. Each
succeeding terraced area is started by
walking belowthe terrace you are
preparing (Figure 4-19).
Beforeclearing the tines by hand, stop
the engine, allow all moving parts to
stop and disconnect the spark plug
wire. Failure to follow this warning
couldresult in personal injury.
• To reducetangling, 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 power composting, try swaying
the handlebarsfrom side to side (about
6" to 12"). This "fishtailing" action
often clears the tines of debris.
• It may be necessaryto remove the
debris by hand (a pocket knife will help
you to cut away the material).
Figure 4-19: Make a terrace in just 4
or 5 passes with the tiller.
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