Craftsman 340 Series Operator's Manual page 14

• 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 Figure 20
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Tilling on a Slope
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 Up & Down 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.
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Figure 20
WARNING
OPERATION
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. See Figure 21.
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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.
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UPHILL
3
12" UNTILLED
REPEAT
DOWNHILL
Figure 21
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