9
S
ection
4 — c
ontrolS
& o
peration
Figure 4-5
Suggested Tilling Patterns
•
When preparing a seedbed, go over the same
path twice in the first row, then overlap one-
half the tiller width on the rest of the passes.
See Figure 4-6.
Figure 4-6
•
When finished in one direction, make a second
pass at a right angle, as shown in Figure 4-7.
Overlap each pass for best results (in very hard
ground, it may take three or four passes to
thoroughly pulverize the soil.)
Figure 4-7
•
If the garden size will not permit lengthwise and
then crosswise tilling, overlap the first passes by
one-half a tiller width, followed by successive
passes at one-quarter width. See Figure 4-8.
1
2
3
Figure 4-8
Tilling on a Slope
WARNING!
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
rather than 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 the 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.
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 as shown in Figure 4-9.
1
2
3
12" UNTILLED
1
REPEAT
DOWNHILL
UPHILL
Figure 4-9
2.
Each succeeding lower terrace is started by
walking below the terrace you’re 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 rows.
Loading & Unloading the tiller
WARNING!
Loading and unloading the
tiller into a vehicle is potentially
hazardous and doing so is not
recommended unless absolutely
necessary, as this could result in
personal injury or property damage.
If it is necessary to load or unload the tiller, follow
these guidelines.
•
Stop the engine, wait for all parts to stop
moving, disconnect the spark plug wire and
let the engine and muffler cool.
•
The tiller is too heavy and bulky to be lifted
safely by one person. Two or more people
should share the load.
•
Use sturdy ramps and manually — with the
engine shut off — roll the tiller into and out of
the vehicle. Two or more people are needed
to do this.
•
The ramps must be strong enough to support
the combined weight of the tiller and any
handlers. The ramps should provide good
traction to prevent slipping, they should have
side rails to guide the tiller along the ramps and
they should have a locking device to secure
them to the vehicle.
•
The handlers should wear sturdy footwear that
will help prevent slipping.
•
Position the loading vehicle so that the ramp
angle is as flat as possible (the less incline to
the ramp, the better). Turn the vehicle’s engine
off and apply its parking brake.
•
When going up ramps, stand in the normal
operating position and push the tiller ahead
of you. Have a person at each side to turn the
wheels.
•
When going down ramps, walk backward
with the tiller following you. Keep alert for any
obstacles behind you. Position a person at each
wheel to control the speed of the tiller. Never
go down ramps tiller-first, as the tiller could tip
forward.
•
Place wooden blocks on the downhill side of
the wheels if you need to stop the tiller from
rolling down the ramp. Also, use the blocks
to temporarily keep the tiller in place on the
ramps (if necessary), and to chock the wheels
in place after the tiller is in the vehicle.
•
After loading the tiller, prevent it from rolling
by engaging the wheels in the wheel drive
position. Chock the wheels with blocks and
securely tie the tiller down.
