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11
OPERATION
• You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row
untilled between passes. Then go back between tilled
rows. (See Fig. 14) There are two reasons for doing
this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than
about-faces. Second, the tiller won’t be pulling itself,
and you, toward the row next to it.
• Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will
not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contrib-
ute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your
tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling;
however, extremely wet soil will “ball-up” or clump
during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to
achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove
vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping
around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
• Do not lean on handle. This takes weight off the wheels
and reduces traction. To get through a really tough
section of sod or hard ground, apply upward pressure
on handle or lower the depth stake.
321
5
4
67
FIG. 14
CULTIVATING
Cultivating is destroying the weeds between rows to pre-
vent them from robbing nourishment and moisture from the
plants. At the same time, breaking up the upper layer of soil
crust will help retain moisture in the soil. Best digging depth
is 1" to 3" (2.5-7.5 cm). Lower the outer side shields to
protect small plants from being buried.
• Cultivate up and down the rows at a speed which will
allow tines to uproot weeds and leave the ground in
rough condition, promoting no further growth of weeds
and grass (See Fig. 15).
FIG. 15
TILLING HINTS
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field
use with throttle in slow position (mid-
way between “FAST” and “IDLE”).
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up
packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil
helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6" (10-15
cm). A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted
vegetation. The decomposition of this vegetable mat-
ter enriches the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall
and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end
of the growing season to further condition the soil.
FIG. 13
TINE SHEAR PINS
The tine assemblies on your tiller are secured to the tine
shaft with shear pins (See “TINE REPLACEMENT” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual).
If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear
pins are designed to break before internal damage occurs
to the transmission.
• If shear pin(s) break, replace only with those shown in
the Repair Parts section of this manual.
CHOKE CONTROL
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13)
CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in
“DISENGAGED” position when start-
ing engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
• Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
• Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neutral) position.
• Place throttle control in “FAST” position.
• Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position.
• Move choke control to choke position.
• Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp
tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will
pull slightly harder at this point).
• Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter
handle snap back against starter.
• If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to
half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until
engine starts.
• When engine starts, slowly move choke control to
"RUN" position as engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.
• Move throttle control to desired running position.
• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold tempera-
tures (below 32°F), the carburetor fuel mixture may need to
be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO AD-
JUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see troubleshooting points.
RECOIL STARTER
HANDLE