Troy-Bilt BRONCO 5 HP - Manual (Page 16)

16
Section 4: Operation
Tilling Tips
&
Techniques
Let the tiller do the work
• While tilling, relax and let the wheels
pull the tiller along while the tines do
the digging. Walk on the side that is
not yet finished (to avoid making foot-
prints in the freshly tilled soil) and
lightly, but securely grip the handlebar
with just one hand. See Figure 4-2.
• 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 helping to hold the tiller
back, the tines will attempt to propel
the tiller – often causing the tiller to
skip rapidly across the ground.
(Sometimes, slight downward pressure
on the handlebars will help get through
a particularly tough section of sod or
unbroken ground, but in most cases
this won’t be necessary at all.)
Tilling depths
• Avoid trying to dig too deeply too
quickly, especially when busting sod or
when tilling soil that hasn’t been tilled
for some time. Use shallow depth
regulator settings (only an inch or two
deep) for the first passes through the
garden area. With each succeeding
pass, adjust the depth regulator to dig
another inch or two deeper. (Watering
the garden area a few days prior to
tilling will make tilling easier, as will
letting the newly worked soil set for a
day or two before making a final, deep
tilling pass.)
• When cultivating (breaking up the
surface soil around plants to help
destroy weeds), adjust the tines to dig
only 1-1/2" to 2" deep. Using shallow
tilling depths helps prevent injury to
plants whose roots often grow close to
the surface. If needed, lift up on the han-
dlebars slightly to prevent the tines from
digging too deeply. Cultivating on a
regular basis not only eliminates weeds,
it also loosens and aerates the soil for
better moisture absorption and faster plant
growth.)
Avoid tilling soggy, wet soil
Tilling wet soil often results in large,
hard clumps of soil that can interfere
with planting. If time permits, wait a day
or two after heavy rains to allow the soil
to dry before tilling. Test soil by
squeezing it into a ball. If it compresses
too easily, it is too wet to till.
Avoid making footprints
Whenever possible, walk on the untilled
side of the unit to avoid making foot-
prints in your freshly tilled or cultivated
soil. Footprints cause soil compaction
that can hamper root penetration and
contribute to soil erosion. They can also
“plant” unwanted weed seeds back into
the freshly tilled ground.
Choosing correct wheel
and tine speeds
With experience, you will find the “just
right” tilling depth and tilling speed com-
bination that is best for your garden.
Set the engine throttle lever at a speed to
give the engine adequate power and yet
allow it to operate at the slowest
possible speed...at least until you have
achieved the maximum tilling depth you
desire. Faster engine speeds may be
desirable when making final passes
through the seedbed or when cultivating.
Selection of the correct engine speed, in
relation to the tilling depth, will ensure a
sufficient power level to do the job
without causing the engine to labor.
Suggested tilling patterns
• When preparing a seedbed, go over the
same path twice in the first row, then
overlap one-half the tiller width on the
rest of the passes (see Figure 4-6).
When finished in one direction, make a
second pass at a right angle as shown
in Figure 4-7. Overlap each pass for
best results (in very hard ground it
may take three or four passes to thor-
oughly pulverize the soil).
• If the garden size will not permit
lengthwise and then crosswise tilling,
then overlap the first passes by one-
half a tiller width, followed by succes-
sive passes at one-quarter width (see
Figure 4-8).
• With planning, you can allow enough
room between rows to cultivate (see
Figure 4-9). Leave room for the hood
width, plus enough extra room for
future plant growth.
1
2
3
Figure 4-6
Figure 4-7
Figure 4-8
Figure 4-9