Manual

Section4: Operation
TillingTips& Techniques
Clearingthetines
Dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines
may become tangled in the tines. Follow
these proceduresto help avoid tangling
and to clean the tines, if necessary.
• To reduce tangling, set the depth
regulator to maximum depth.
• While tilling, try swaying the handle-
bars from side to side (about 6" to 12").
This "fishtailing" action often clears the
tines of debris.
• If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of
the soil and run the tiller in reversefor
a few feet, This may unwind a good
dealof debris.
• It may be necessaryto remove the
debris by hand (a pocket knifewill help
you to cut awaythe material).
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 onslopes
If you must garden on a moderate slope,
pleasefollow two very important guide-
lines:
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on
steepground where footing is difficult
(review safety rules in the "Safety"
section of this manual).
2. We recommend tillingup and down
slopes rather than terracing, Tilling
vertically on a slope allows maximum
planting areaand also leavesroom for
cultivating,
IMPORTANT: When tilling on slopes, be
sure the correct oil level is maintained in
the engine (check every one-haff hour of
operation). The incline of the slope will
cause the oil to slant awayfrom its
normal level and this can starve engine
parts of required lubrication. Keepthe
engine oil levelat the full point at all
times!
A. Tilling upand downslopes:
• To keep soil erosion to a minimum, be
sure to add enough organicmatter to
the soil so that ithas good moisture-
holding texture and try to avoid leaving
footprints or wheel marks.
• When tillingvertically, try to makethe
first passuphill as the tiller digs more
deeply going uphill than it does
downhill, In soft soil or weeds, you
may haveto lift handlebars slightly
while going uphill.
B. Tilling acrossslopeswithout
usingterraces:
If previously described tilling methods
aren't practical for you, then you can till
laterallyacross a slope. However,we
don't really recommend this method as
it can create unsure footing and invites
soilerosion.
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