TILLING HINTS
_aaCAUTION:
Until you are accustomed
to
ndling your tiller, start actual field use
with throttle in slow position
(mid-way
between "FAST" and "IDLE").
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and
breaking
up packed soil before
planting. Loose, unpacked
soil helps
root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6".
A tiller will also clear the soil of un-
wanted vegetation.
The decomposition
of this vegetable
matter enriches the
soil.
Depending
on the climate (rainfall
and wind), it may be advisable to till the
soil at the end of the growing season to
further condition the soil.
• Soil conditions
are important for proper
tilling. Tines will not readily penetrate
dry, hard soil which may contribute
to
excessive
bounce and difficult handling
of your tiller. Hard soil should be
moistened
before tilling; however,
extremely
wet soil will "ball-up"
or
clump during tilling. Wait until the soil is
less wet in order to achieve the best
results. When tilling in the fall, remove
vines and long grass to prevent them
from wrapping around the tine shaft
and slowing your tilling operation.
• You will find tilling much easier if you
leave a row untilled between
passes.
Then go back between tilled
rows.There
are two reasons for doing
this. First, wide turns are much easier to
negotiate
than about-faces.
Second,
the tiller won't be pulling
itself, and
you, toward the row next to it.
• Do not lean on handle.
This takes
weight off the wheels and reduces
traction.
To get through a really tough
section of sod or hard ground, apply
upward pressure on handle or lower
the depth stake.
CULTIVATING
Cultivating
is destroying
the weeds
between
rows to prevent them from
robbing nourishment
and moisture from
the plants. At the same time, breaking up
the upper layer of soil crust will help
retain moisture
in the soil. Best digging
depth is 1" to 3" (2.5-7.5 cm). Lower the
outer side shields to protect small plants
from being buried.
• Cultivate up and down the rows at a
speed which will allow tines to uproot
weeds and leave the. ground in rough
condition,
promoting
no further growth
of weeds and grass.
• Do not lean on handle, this takes
weight off the wheels, reduces traction,
and may cause the tiller to skip over the
ground.
• Always lower the drag stake when
using the forward
rotating
tine drive.
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TINE SHEAR PINS
The tine assemblies
on your tiller are
secured to the tine shaft with shear pins
(See "TINE REPLACEMENT"
in the
Service and Adjustments
section of this
manual).
If the tiller is unusually
overloaded
or
jammed,
the shear pins are designed to
break before internal damage occurs to
the transmission.
• If shear pin(s) break, replace only with
those shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
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