16
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARING THE SEED BED
The cultivator can be used to break up garden soil and prepare a seed bed for planting. Plan ahead
to leave enough room between the seed rows to allow for machine 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 in. x 36 in. sections using a spade shovel or edger at a depth of 3 in.
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 in. [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
11 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. Insert the battery into the unit.
3. Stand behind tiller, with tines on ground and the work area clean and free of obstructions.
4. Start the tiller using directions from page 15.
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 deeper, 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 collect around the bottom of the tiller it is
important to stop tilling. Remove the battery and clean the tines using a screwdriver or another
object (not included) that can help remove debris. If necessary, remove the 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 blownaway when tilling on a windy day.
Fall tilling presents many advantages over spring tilling. It eliminates blown away 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.
