Full Product Manual

8 Section 4— controlS & operation
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 achieved by varying pressure placed 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 and Storing the Tiller
To transport and store the tiller move the throttle to
the stop position. Pivot the depth stake away from
the ground up between the wheels. See Figure 4-4.
Using Your Tiller
Your tiller is designed for seed bed preparation,
cultivating, furrowing and mulching.
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.
12 34 5
Figure 4-5
In some soils, the desired depth is achieved 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.
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.