Adjusting the Handle Height
The handle should be adjusted so that when the tiller is digging
3-4” into the soil, the handle falls to about waste-high. To adjust
the handle, simply loosen the handle adjustment crank, move
the handle to the desired height and retighten the adjustment
crank. See Fig. 5-3.
Clearing the Tines
The tines have a self-clearing action which eliminates most •
of the tangling of debris. However, occasionally dry grass,
stringy stalks or tough vines may become tangled. Follow
these procedures to help avoid tangling and to clear 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.
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 the surface soil around the •
plants to destroy weeds, see Fig. 5-4), adjust the tines to
dig only 1” to 2” deep. Using the shallow tilling depth 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.
Figure 5-4
Figure 5-3
13SE c T i O N 5 — OP E R A T i O N
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