__________________
..-;O;;;..peration
Clearing
Debris
From
The
Tines
The Bolo Tines have a self-
cleaning action which reduces
most vegetation tangling in the
tines. However, grass, string,
or
tough vines can get tangled. It's
not necessary to remove all the
material, but you should get
enough out so the action
of
the
tines
isn't
impaired.
To avoid tangling:
• Set depth regulator lever for deep
tilling-
this results in maximum
chopping action.
• Till under crop residues or cover
crops while still green.
• Sway handlebars from side to
side (6"-to-12" either way) when
power composting - this can clear
tangled tines.
If
tangling occurs, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark
plug
wire, let
all moving parts stop,
then use a
pocket knife
or
linoleum knife to
clear away the tangled materials.
WARNING
To
help
avoid
personal
injury,
stop
the
engine,
remove
the
electric start
key,
then
dis-
connect
the
spark
plug
wire
and
move
the
wire
away
from
the spark plug before at-
tempting
to
clean
the
tiller
tines
by
hand.
Photo
4-27:
Tilling on a
moderate
slope.
(Don't
till
on
steep
ground.)
CAUTION
TO
AVOID
SERIOUS
PERSONAL
INJURY
OR
DAMAGE
TO
EQUIPMENT:
Tilling
Up
And
Down
Slopes
Planting space may be so lim-
ited that you only have sloped
ground available for your garden.
If
so, please follow two very im-
portant guidelines for tilling
on
slopes: 1) till only on moderate
slopes, never on steep ground
where footing is difficult; 2) we
recommend you plant rows up and
down the slope (rather than terrac-
ing crossways) to get more plant-
ing room and also sufficient room
for cultivating. See Photo 4-27.
Growing a garden vertically on
a slope
doesn't
have to mean soil
erosion will be a major problem.
You
just
need to put in enough or-
ganic matter so the soil has good
moisture-holding ability, and you
need to avoid making footprints
or
leaving wheel marks. This keeps
erosion to a minimum.
When tilling vertically on a
slope, try to make the first pass
in
an uphill direction. The tines will
dig more deeply than when going
downhill. You
may
have to lift the
handlebars slightly going uphill.
When tilling down the slope, over-
lap the previous uphill pass by
half
a tiller width. Hint:
for
best
re-
sults, use the HIGH belt range and
SLOW wheel speed lever position.
•
Do
not
operate
tiller
on
a
slope
too
steep
for
safe
operation.
Go
slowly
on
any
slope.
Make
sure
you
have
good
footing.
•
Wear
footwear that increases
stability
and
reduces
slippage.
•
Do
not
use
FAST
wheel
speed
position
when
on
sloped
ground.
•
Do
not
shift
the
Wheel
Speed
Lever
when
heading
up
or
down
a
slope.
If
lever
is
accidentally
moved
to
FREE
WHEEL
position,
the
tiller
could
roll
out
of
control.
•
To
prevent
engine
damage
due
to
oil starvation
(on
slopes,the
engine
is
inclined
and
oil
moves
away
from
surfaces
that
need
lu-
brication),
be
sure
the
correct
oil
level
is
maintained
during
all
up-
hill/downhill tilling operations.
Check
the
level
of
the
oil
in
your
engine
after everyone-half
hour
of
operation.
37
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