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By increasing the depth of the depth bar, the for¬
ward speed of the machine is reduced, and the
working depth is increased. When the depth bar is
raised, the working depth of the machine is re¬
duced and the forward speed is increased. The
working depth of the machine may be predeter¬
mined by setting the depth bar and wheels so that
the wheels are about four inches from the ground
when the tines and depth bar are resting on the
ground. This setting will permit a working depth of
about four inches. When presetting the working
depth, the handles should be a little above waist
height because the complete tiller will be lower
when the tines and depth bar penetrate the
ground. The best method will be determined by
the soil condition. In some soils, the desired
depth is obtained the first time over the garden. In
other soils, the desired depth is obtained by going
over the garden two or three times. In the latter
case, the depth bar should be lowered before each
succeeding pass over the garden, and passes
should be made across the length and width of the
garden alternately. Rocks which are turned up
should be removed from the garden area.
3. Handle Pressure: Further control of tilling
depth and travel speed can be obtained by varia¬
tion of pressure on the handles. A downward
pressure on the handies will reduce the working
depth and increase the forward speed. An upward
pressure on the handles will increase the working
depth and reduce the forward speed. The type of
soil and working conditions wilt determine the ac¬
tual setting of the depth bar and the handle
pressure required.
4. Throttle Control: The throttle control lever is
located on the right side of handle panel.
Right hand side is determined from
the
operator's
position
standing
behind the tiller.
The throttle control lever adjusts the engine
speed. It also gives finger tip control of the car¬
buretor and magneto stop switch. With the throt¬
tle control knob pushed completely forward, the
carburetor is in START position. Pulling the throt¬
tle control back slightly adjusts the engine speed
to FAST. Pulling the throttle back further reduces
the engine speed to SLOW. When the throttle is
pulled completely back, the magneto stop switch
grounds out the spark and stops the engine. Use
maximum engine speed for deep tilling.
Move the throttle control to siow when transport¬
ing the tiller. When the tiller is being moved to or
from the garden, the depth bar should be pivoted
forward until it engages the depth bar spring pin.
The machine may be moved under its own power,
without damaging grass areas as long as it is
allowed to move freely. If the operator holds back,
it will start to dig.
CULTIVATING
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is
desirable. Setting the wheels and depth bar so
that the wheels are about two inches above the
ground while the tiller is resting on the tines and
depth bar will allow the machine to work at
cultivating depth. The throttle should be set to
control forward movement to a slow walking
speed. With standard tines, the maximum working
width of the tiller is 26 inches. This width may be
reduced to 24 inches by moving the clevis pins
and hairpin cotters to the inner holes on the tine
shaft. For cultivation, remove the outer tines to
obtain a tilling width of 13 inches.
When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow
enough width to permit cultivation between the
rows. In growing corn or similar crops, check-row
planting will permit cross cultivation and prac¬
tically eliminate hand hoeing.
The tiller has many uses other than tilling and
cultivating a garden. One of these is the prepara¬
tion of lawn area for seeding. The tiller will
prepare a deep seed bed which will be free of hard
unfilled spots, allowing a better stand of grass to
grow. The tiller is very useful for loosening hard
soil for excavation with a shovel. No tedious hand
pickwork will be necessary. Your tiller may be
used for mixing compost in the pile, or for mixing
it with the soil in your garden. This should be done
after the soil has been broken to the full working
depth. The compost should be worked in to a
depth of six to eight inches. This may be done by
working the length of the garden, and then by mix¬
ing separate passes across its width. The addition
of decayed organic matter will substantially in¬
crease the fertility of your garden. For proper
decaying action, fertilizer should be applied and
worked in with the mulch materials. Breaking up
leaves and straw and mixing it with several inches
of soil causes the soil to hold moisture longer and
allows proper aeration of the plant root system. It
also retards the growth of weeds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and various
state and local agencies offer published booklets
and expert advice on all phases of gardening.
They should be consulted regarding soil informa¬
tion, planting dates, and the most satisfactory
varieties of crop for your particular area.
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