Tilling Tips And Techniques; Tilling Depths; Choosing Correct Tine Speed; Avoid Tilling Soggy, Wet Soil - Champion 100379 Operator's Manual

100379 - FRONT TINE TILLER
Operation using the alternative main jet at elevations lower
than the recommended minimum altitude can damage the
engine. For operation at lower elevations, the originally
supplied standard main jet must be used. Operating the
engine with the wrong engine configuration at a given
altitude may increase its emissions and decrease fuel
efficiency and performance.

TILLING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Tilling Depths

Before tilling, contact your telephone or utilities company
and inquire if underground equipment or lines are used
on your property. Do not till near buried electric cables,
telephone lines, pipes or hoses.
Avoid trying to dig too deeply too quickly, especially when
busting sod or when tilling soil that hasn't been tilled for some
time. Use shallow depth regulator settings (only an inch or two
deep) for the first passes through the soil. With each succeeding
pass, dig another inch or two deeper. (Watering the area a few
days prior to tilling will make the tilling easier, as will letting the
newly worked soil set for a day or two before making a final,
deep tilling pass.
When cultivating (breaking up surface soil around plants to
destroy weeds), adjust the tines to dig only 1 in. to 2 in. (2.5
to 5 cm) deep. Using shallow tilling depths helps prevent
injury to plants whose roots often grow close to the surface. If
needed, lift up on the handlebars slightly to prevent the tines
from digging too deeply. (Cultivating on a regular basis not only
eliminates weeds, it also loosens and aerates the soil for better
moisture absorption and faster plant growth.)

Choosing Correct Tine Speed

With experience, you will find the "just right" 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 ... at least 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.
WARNING
WARNING
TILLING TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Avoid Tilling Soggy, Wet Soil

Tilling wet 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. Test soil
by squeezing it into a ball. If it compresses too easily, it is too
wet to till.

Preparing Seedbeds

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. When finished in one direction, make a second pass at
a right angle. Overlap each pass for best results (in very hard
ground, it may take three or four passes to thoroughly 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 successive passes at one quarter width.
Cultivating
With planning, you can allow enough room between rows to
cultivate. Leave room for the hood width, plus enough extra
room for future plant growth.
Tilling on Slopes
Read the following recommendations before tilling on slopes:
If you must garden on a moderate slope, please follow two very
important guidelines:
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep ground where
footing is difficult.
2. We recommend tilling up and down slopes rather than
terracing. Tilling vertically on a slope allows maximum
planting area and also leaves room for cultivating.
IMPORTANT: 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!
Do not operate tiller on a slope too steep for safe operation.
Till slowly and be sure you have good footing. Never permit
tiller to freewheel down slopes. Failure to follow this
warning could result in personal injury.
Tilling Up and Down Slopes (Vertical Tilling)
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.
WARNING
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