8
S
ection
4— c
ontrolS
& o
peration
3.
Move the depth regulator lever all the way
down to the “travel” position, so that the tines
clear the ground. To change the depth setting,
pull back on the depth regulator lever (A) and
lift up or down (B), then release the lever (C) to
secure in the desired position. See Figure 4-2.
A
B
Depth Regulator Lever
Figure 4-2
4.
Release all of the controls on the tiller.
5.
Start the engine as instructed in the Engine
Operator’s Manual.
Stopping the Engine
1.
To stop the wheels and tines, release the
Forward Clutch Bail.
2.
Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for
instructions on stopping the engine.
Engage Drive & Tines
1.
For forward motion of the wheels and power
to the tines pull the Forward Clutch Bail up
against the handlebar. Release the bail to stop
the forward motion of the wheels and tines.
2.
When tilling, relax and let the wheels pull the
machine while the tines dig. Walk behind and
a little to one side of the tiller. Use one hand,
yet keep a light — but secure — grip on the
handlebar (while keeping your arm loose). See
Figure 4-3. Let the tiller move at its own pace
and do not push down on the handlebars to
try and force the tines to dig deeper — this
takes weight off the wheels and reduces
traction.
Forward Clutch Bail
Reverse Handle
Figure 4-3
WARNING!
Do not push down on the
handlebars to try to make the tiller till
more deeply. This prevents the wheels
from holding the tiller back and can
allow the tines to rapidly propel the
tiller forward, which could result in loss
of control, property damage, or
personal injury.
3.
To move in reverse:
a.
On models with reverse handle:
•
Look behind and exercise caution
when operating in reverse. Do not
till while in reverse.
•
Stop all forward motion. Lift the
handlebar with one hand until the
tines are off the ground and then
pull the Reverse Handle back.
To stop reversing, let go of the
Reverse Handle.
•
If longer distances need to be
covered in reverse, shut off the
engine, then place the two wheels
in freewheel.
b.
On models without reverse handle:
•
Release the forward clutch bail.
Then lift the handlebar until the
tines are off the ground.
•
Swing the handlebar to the
left so the right wheel takes a
“step” backward. Next swing the
handlebar to the right so the left
wheel “steps” backward. Repeat
as needed.
•
If longer distances need to be
covered in reverse, shut off
the engine, then place the two
wheels in freewheel.
Turning the Tiller
Practice turning the tiller in a level, open area. Be
very careful to keep your feet and legs away from the
tines.
1.
To begin a turn, lift the handlebars until the
tines are out of the ground and the engine
and tines are balanced over the wheels. See
Figure 4-4.
3
2
1
Figure 4-4
2.
With the tiller balanced, push sideways on the
handlebar to steer in the direction of the turn.
See Figure 4-4.
3.
After turning, slowly lower the tines into the
soil to resume tilling. See Figure 4-4.
Clearing the Tines
The tines have a self-clearing action which eliminates
most tangling of debris in the tines. However,
occasionally dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines
may become tangled. Follow these procedures
to help avoid tangling and to clean the tines, if
necessary.
•
To reduce tangling, set the depth regulator
deep enough to get maximum “chopping”
action as the tines chop the material against
the ground. Also, try to till under crop residues
or cover crops while they are green, moist and
tender.
•
While tilling, try swaying the handlebars from
side to side (about 6” to 12”). This “fishtailing”
action often clears the tines of debris.
•
If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of the soil
and run the tiller in reverse for a few feet. This
reversing action should unwind a good deal
of debris.
WARNING!
Before clearing the tines
by hand, stop the engine, allow all
moving parts to stop and disconnect
the spark plug wire. Failure to follow
this warning could result in personal
injury.
Tilling Tips & Techniques
Tilling Depth
WARNING!
Before tilling, contact your
telephone or utilities company and
inquire if underground equipment or
lines are used on your property. Do not
till near buried electric cables,
telephone lines, pipes or hoses.
•
This is a CRT (counter-rotating tine) tiller.
As the wheels pull forward, the tines rotate
backward. This creates an “uppercut” tine
action which digs deeply, uprooting soil and
weeds. Don’t overload the engine, but dig
as deeply as possible on each pass. On later
passes, the wheels may tend to spin in the soft
dirt. Help them along by lifting up slightly on
the handlebar (one hand, palm up, works most
easily).
•
Avoid the temptation to push down on the
handlebars in an attempt to force the tiller
to dig deeper. Doing so takes the weight off
the powered wheels, causing them to lose
traction. Without the wheels to hold the tiller
back, the tines will attempt to propel the tiller
backward, towards the operator.
•
When cultivating (breaking up surface soil
around plants to destroy weeds, see Figure 4-5),
Adjust the tines to dig only 1” to 2” deep. Using
shallow tilling depths helps prevent injury to
the plants whose roots often grow close to the
surface. If needed, lift up on the handlebars
slightly to prevent the tines from digging too
deeply. (Cultivating on a regular basis not only
eliminates weeds, it also loosens and aerates
the soil for better moisture absorption and
faster plant growth.) Watering the garden area
a few days prior to tilling will make tilling easier,
as will letting the newly worked soil set for a
day or two before making a final, deep tilling
pass.
