MTD 390 Serie Manual Del Operador página 8

Depth Stake
The depth stake acts as a brake for the tiller
and controls the depth and speed at which the
machine will operate. Remove the clevis pin
and hairpin clip to raise or lower depth stake.
See Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-4
Handle Pressure
Further control of the tilling depth and travel
speed can be obtained by variation of pressure
on the handles.
A downward pressure on the handles will
reduce the working depth and increase the
forward speed. An upward pressure on the
handles will increase the working depth and
reduce the forward speed.
The type of soil and working conditions will
determine the actual setting of the depth stake
and the handle pressure required.
Transporting & Storing the Tiller
To transport and store the tiller move the
throttle to the stop position. Pivot the depth
stake away from ground up between wheels.
See Figure 4-4.
Using Your Tiller
Your tiller is designed for seed bed preparation,
cultivating, furrowing and mulching.
8 S 4— c
ection ontrolS
Tilling Procedure
When tilling, leave approximately eight inches
of untilled soil between the first and second
tilling paths, then make the third path between
the first and second, Figure 4-5.
4
In some soils, the desired depth is obtained
the first time over the garden. In other soils,
the desired depth is obtained by going over
the garden two or three times. Passes should
be made across the length and width of the
garden alternately. Rocks which are turned up
should be removed from the garden area.
Cultivating Procedures
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth
is desirable. The tine width can be reduced
to 13 inches by removing the outer tines
completely from the tiller. See the Maintenance
& Adjustments Section for instructions on
removing the tines.
When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow
enough width to permit cultivation between
the rows. In growing corn or similar crops,
check-row planting will permit cross cultivation
and practically eliminate hand hoeing. See
Figure 4-6.
& o
peration
5 2 3 1
Figure 4-5
Figure 4-6
Other Uses
The tiller has many uses other than tilling
and cultivating a garden. One of these is the
preparation of lawn area for seeding. The tiller
will prepare a deep seed bed which will be free
of hard untilled spots, allowing a better stand
of grass to grow. The tiller is very useful for
loosening hard soil for excavation with a shovel;
No tedious handwork will be necessary. Your
tiller may be used for mixing compost in the
pile or for mixing it with the soil in your garden.
This should be done after the soil has been
broken to the full working depth. The compost
should be worked in to a depth of six to seven
inches. This may be done by working the length
of the garden and then by making separate
passes across its width. The addition of decayed
organic matter will substantially increase the
fertility of your garden. For proper decaying
action, fertilizer should be applied and worked
in with the mulch materials. Breaking up leaves
and straw and mixing it with several inches of
soil allows proper aeration of the plant root
system and retards the growth of weeds.