Cultivating Tips - Craftsman 536.292523 Operator's Manual

OPERATION
CULTIVATING TIPS
Tilling is digging in, turning over and
breaking up packed soil before planting.
Loose unpacked soil helps root growth.
Best tilling depth is 4 to 6 inches. A tiller
will also clear the soil of unwanted vege-
tation. The decomposition of this vegeta-
tion matter enriches the soil. Depending
on the climate (rainfall and wind), it may
be advisable to till the soil at the end of
the growing season to further condition
the soil.
Avoid tilling soil that is too dry as it will
pulverize and produce a dust that will not
hold water. Also, tilling soil that is too wet
will be hard on the machine and produce
unsatisfactory clods.
Better growth will be obtained if an area
is tilled properly and used soon after till-
ing to preserve the moisture content.
If the cultivator stops forward motion and
tries to dig deeper than necessary, move
the handles from side to side to start for-
ward motion.
Cultivating is loosening or digging
around growing plants which allows the
plants to flourish.
When using the cultivator to remove
weeds, it is best to cultivate no deeper
than 1-1/2 inches. Cultivating deeper will
only pull to the surface ungerminated
weed seeds. Raising the depth stake will
allow it to move faster and till more shal-
low.
When cultivating around plants or close
areas, you may want to remove the out-
side tines. See "Tine Replacement" in
the Service/Adjustments section.
The depth stake (on the back of the culti-
vator) serves a dual purpose. It helps
regulate the depth of the cut and also
acts as a brake to help the operator con-
trol the speed of the cultivator.
Lowering the depth stake will slow the
cultivator and make it till deeper. Raising
the depth stake will allow it to move fast-
er and till more shallow.
WARNING: Read the Owner's
manual. Know location and
functions of all controls. Keep
all safety devices and shields in place.
Never allow children or uninstructed
adults to operate cultivator. Shut off en-
gine before unclogging tines or making
repairs. Keep bystanders away from ma-
chine. Keep away from rotating parts
and tines. They can cause injury.
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