Troy-Bilt 12208 - Manual (Page 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 pushing 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
tilling soil that hasn’t been tilled for
some time.
Use shallow depth 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), use very shallow depth
settings to prevent injury to plants whose
roots often grow close to the surface. If
needed, lift up on the handlebars 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 wet, soggy 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 the soil by
squeezing it into a ball. If it compresses
too easily. It is too wet to till.
Avoid making footprints
When possible, walk on the untilled side
of the unit to avoid making footprints in
the freshly tilled 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 newly tilled soil.
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.
Figure 4-7
Figure 4-8
Figure 4-1
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