Use and Care Manual

Section 5— operation
12
To Engage Drive & Tines
 For forward motion of the wheels and power to the tines pull
the Forward Clutch Bail up against the handlebar. Release
the bail to stop the forward motion of wheels and tines.
2. When tilling, relax and let the wheels pull the machine
while the tines dig. Walk behind and a little to one side of
the tiller. Use one hand, yet keep a light — but secure —
grip on the handlebar while keeping your arm loose.
 Let the tiller move at its own pace and do not push down
on the handlebars to try and force the tines to dig deeper
— this takes weight off the wheels and reduces traction.
WARNING! Do not push down on the handlebars
to try to make the tiller till more deeply. This
prevents the wheels from holding the tiller back and
can allow the tines to rapidly propel the tiller
forward, which could result in loss of control,
property damage, or personal injury.
4. To stop/disengage the drive/tines release the clutch bail.
Turning the Tiller
 Practice turning the tiller in a level, open area. Be very
careful to keep your feet and legs away from the tines.
2. To begin a turn, lift the handlebars until the tines are out of the
ground and the engine and tines are balanced over the wheels.
 With the tiller balanced, push sideways on the handlebar to
steer in the direction of the turn. After turning, slowly lower
the tines into the soil to resume tilling.
Setting The Depth
Tilling depth is controlled by the depth stake which can be
adjusted to five different settings.
WARNING: Be certain the spark plug wire is
disconnected and grounded against the engine
when performing any adjustments.
 When using the tiller for the first time, use the second

 When breaking up sod and for shallow cultivation, use the

the top).
 For further depth, raise the depth stake and also make one
or two more passes over the area.
 When tilling loose soil, the depth stake may be raised to its
highest position (use bottom adjustment hole) to give the
deepest tilling depth.
 To transport tiller, lower the depth stake (use top
adjustment hole).
To adjust the depth stake, pull back on the depth adjustment
bracket (A) and push up or down (B) until the bracket reaches the

Adjusting the Handle Height
The handle should be adjusted so that when the tiller is digging

the handle, simply loosen the handle adjustment crank, move
the handle to the desired height and retighten the adjustment
crank. See Figure 5-2.
Figure 5-2
Tilling Tips & Techniques
Tilling Depth
WARNING! Before tilling, contact your telephone or
utilities company and inquire if underground equipment/
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


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.