Craftsman 247.29931 - Manual (Page 16)

OPERATION
newly worked soil set for a day or two before making a final, deep
tilling pass.
Choosing the Correct Wheel & Tine Speeds
With experience, you will find the tilling depth and tilling speed
combination 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 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 13.
• When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right
angle. See Figure 14. Overlap each pass for the best results (in
very hard ground, it may take three or four passes to thoroughly
pulverize the soil.)
• If the garden size will not permit lengthwise and then crosswise
AWARNING
Do not operate the tiller on a slope too steep for safe operation. Till
slowly and be sure you have good footing. Never permit the tiller to
freewheel down slopes. Failure to follow this warning could result in
personal injury.
Figure 13
tilling, then overlap the first passes by one-half a tiller width, fol­
lowed by successive passes at one-quarter width. See Figure 15.
Tilling on a Slope
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep ground where the
footing is difficult.
2. Tilling up and down slopes is recommended over terracing. Tilling
vertically on a slope allows maximum planting area and also
leaves room for cultivating.
NOTE: When tilling on slopes, be sure the correct oil level is main­
tained in the engine (check every one-half hour of operation). The
incline of the slope will cause the oil to slant away from its normal
level and this can starve engine parts of required lubrication. Keep the
motor oil level at the full point at all times.
Tilling Up and Down a Slope
1. To keep soil erosion to a minimum, be sure to add enough organic
matter to the soil so that it has good moistureholding texture and
try to avoid leaving footprints or wheel marks.
2. When tilling vertically, try to make the first pass uphill as the tiller
digs more deeply going uphill than it does downhill. In soft soil or
weeds, you may have to lift the handlebars slightly while going up-
A
Figure 14
OB
B
A
m
Figure 15
16