Mantis 7990 Operator's & Parts Manual page 13

Read the instructions carefully. Be
familiar with the controls and the
proper use of the equipment.
NOW YOU'RE READY TO USE
YOUR MANTIS TILLER.
If you've seen other tillers, your MANTIS XP
Tiller may surprise you. It tills best when you
pull it backward! You see, when you pull your
MANTIS XP Tiller backward, you give extra
resistance to the tines, so they dig deeper.
(Figure 1)
In addition, when you go backward, you erase
your footprints. So your soil stays light and
fluffy. With other tillers, by contrast, you walk
right over the soil you've just tilled, packing it
down, so it's less plantable.
RUN YOUR MANTIS TILLER
LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER
Place your Tiller at the head of the row or
area you want to till. Start it up. Then use
an easy rocking motion. First, pull your Tiller
backward. Then use an easy rocking motion.
Again, pull your Tiller backward. Then, let
If your tines get jammed or entangled, shut off the
engine at once. Remove the obstruction while the
engine is off. Never try to remove an obstruction while
the engine is running. Serious injury can result.
it move forward just a little bit. Then pull it
backward again. This will help you till deeper.
Keep repeating these steps until you've tilled
an entire row. Start again on the next row. It's
much like running a vacuum cleaner! (Figure 2)
You Can Even Control Depth.
For Deeper Tilling:
Move your Tiller slowly back and forth, as you
would a vacuum cleaner. Work the same area
over and over until you've dug to your desired
depth. (Figure 3)
For Shallow Tilling:
Switch the tines to the cultivating position.
(See page 13 to learn how.) Then move your
Tiller quickly over your soil surface.
YOUR MANTIS XP TILLER MAKES
WEEDING A PLEASURE!
As a tiller, your MANTIS XP Tiller works the soil
down to 10" (25.4 cm) deep. But, as a cultivator,
it gently cultivates the surface, only 2" to 3"
(5.08 cm to 7.62 cm) deep.
First, you must switch the tines to the weeding,
cultivating position. This takes less than a
minute.
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Mantis XP Tiller Operation
®
Figure 1
The operator of this tiller is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to himself,
other people or their property.
Then, your MANTIS XP Tiller's sharp "tine teeth"
will slice up those pesky weeds, burying them as
you go along. And, since the tines in this position
won't dig too deep, they won't hurt your plants'
precious root systems.
The result? Your Tiller will cut your weeding time
in half, and turn a tiresome chore into a pleasure.
Figure 2
For Big Weeds or Tough Roots:
Let your Tiller rock back and forth over the
tough spot, until the tines slice through the
weed or root.
Your MANTIS XP Tiller Handles Special
Tilling Projects:
Want to turn part of your lawn into a colorful
flower border? Your MANTIS XP Tiller makes
it easy! Just run your Tiller back and forth until
the sod begins to break up. Then continue
tilling. Your Tiller will chop the clumps of sod
until they're fine. Then, it will work them into
the soil. Pretty soon, you'll have a soft, fresh
planting bed.
WARNING
!
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE HANDLE KNOBS ARE
SECURE BEFORE STARTING YOUR MANTIS TILLER.
(Continued)
Figure 3
!
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