Yardworks 060-3801-2 Owner's Manual page 18

Operation
PREPARING THE SEED BED
The tiller can be used to break up garden soil and prepare a seed bed for planting. Map out area
to be tilled by planning ahead in order to leave enough room between the seed rows to allow for
cultivating after the plants have grown.
TILLING SOD:
Tilling sod into the soil is not recommended. If sod must be removed to perform application then
it is suggested to do as follows:
1. Map out the area of sod required to be removed.
2. Cut into 16 x 36" sections using a spade shovel or edger at a depth of 3 inches.
3. Lift the sod from the edges using a shovel sliding below at the roots.
4. Remove the sod. Carry sod to compost or other pile turned grass down to allow grass to
decompose.
5. Once sod layer is removed, begin to till the soil to desired depth.
GENERAL TILLING/CULTIVATING
Shallow cultivating (less than 2" [5 cm] deep) can be used to disrupt weeds and aerate soil
without injuring nearby plant roots. It should be done often so that weeds do not grow large
and get tangled in the tines of the tiller.
The two inner blades can be removed from the unit to allow a narrower cultivating width.
See pages 14 & 15 for correct tine installation process.
1. With the wheel assembly installed to the desired depth position as described on page 13,
roll the tiller to the work area.
2. Route the extension cord through the extension cord retainer as shown on page 10.
3. Plug the tiller into an approved extension cord.
4. Stand behind the tiller, with the tines on the ground and the work area clean and free of
obstructions.
5. Start the tiller using directions from page 16.
NOTE: It may take several passes over the same path in order to reach the desired depth.
Do not try to dig too deep on the first pass. If the tiller jumps or bucks, allow it to move
forward at a slightly faster pace. In order to dig more deeply, lift up on the handlebar pushing
the front harder into the ground. Apply downward pressure on the handlebar, pulling unit down
towards you for more shallow cultivating. If the tiller stays and digs in at one spot, try rocking it
from side to side in order to start it moving forward again. If the soil is very hard, water it a few
days before cultivating. Avoid working soil that is soggy or wet. Wait a day or two after heavy
rain for the ground to dry.
IMPORTANT: If weeds, roots, vines or other growth gets collected around the bottom of the
tiller it is important to stop tiller. Disconnect from power source and clean tines using a
screwdriver or other object which can help remove debris. If necessary, removes tines to
untangle debris from shaft and tines.
QUICK TIPS:
Remove rocks and roots before tilling in order to prevent damage to the tiller. Work the soil
when it is neither too wet nor too dry. To test the moisture level of the soil, take a handful of
soil and squeeze it. If it remains in a tight ball when you release your grip, it is too wet. If it
crumbles, it is ready to till. Dry soil is difficult to cultivate, and valuable topsoil can be blown
away when tilling on a windy day. Fall tilling presents many advantages over spring tilling. It
eliminates the need to till in the spring, and it allows for earlier planting. Soil moisture and
temperature conditions are favorable for decomposition of the organic matter that is turned
under in the fall. Furthermore, disease organisms, insects, and perennial weeds can be
reduced by tilling in the fall.
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