Troy-Bilt 12159 - Manual (Page 14)

OPERATION
TILLING AND CULTIVATING
• Roll the machine to the area in which it will be used.
• Adjust the tilling depth to the desired position (refer to
Page 12).
• Verify the engine On/Off Switch is in ON position.
Check to be sure the on/off wire is securely connected to
the terminals on the switch and on the engine.
• Start the engine. Assume the operator’s position be­
hind the handlebars, facing forward toward the engine.
Using the handlebar, tilt the machine backward enough
to raise the tines off the ground. Squeeze the engine
throttle lever, then release the lever. The engine should
speed up and then return to idle speed. The tines
should stop rotating or they may rotate very slowly. Low­
ering them back to the ground should stop any rotation.
NOTE: If the tines continue to rotate when the engine is
idling, either the idle speed is too high or the centrifugal
clutch is malfunctioning. If this occurs, contact the Fac­
tory or your local authorized Dealer.
• Squeeze the engine throttle lever closed to start the
tines rotating. Lower them to begin digging. Firmly hold
the handlebars to prevent the machine from moving for­
ward too quickly and to allow enough time for the tines to
dig deeply enough.
Tilling Patterns
• When preparing a seedbed, go over the same path
twice in the first row, than overlap one-half (1/2) the ma­
chine width on each succeeding pass (see Figure 12).
• After going up and down the rows in one direction,
make second passes at a right angle across all the origi­
nal passes. See Figure 13. Again, overlap each pass to
thoroughly pulverize the entire seedbed area. In very
hard ground, it may take three (3) or four (4) passes be­
fore the desired depth is achieved.
• If your garden is not wide enough to till lengthwise and
then crosswise, then you should first overlap by one-half
(1/2) the machine width, followed by successive passes
at one-quarter (1/4) machine width. This overlapping
method assures thorough break-up of the ground.
Tilling Depths
• Remember to go easy when you start to till in the gar­
den. Do not try to till too deeply in the first pass through
sod or very hard ground. If the machine jumps or bucks,
use a shallower depth setting and reduce engine speed.
• Applying downward pressure on the handlebars lets
the tines dig at a shallower depth. Lifting the handlebars
lets the tines dig in more deeply.
• In very hard soil, start tilling at a very shallow depth.
With each succeeding pass, till more deeply. For easier
tilling, water very hard soil a few days before tilling.
Avoid working the soil when it is soggy or wet. Wait a
day or two after heavy rain for the ground to dry.
Cultivating
• The equipment can also be used for cultivating (shal­
low tilling that disrupts weeds and aerates the upper
crust of soil).
• Shallow tilling is very important! Do not till deeper than
1 "-2" to avoid injuring nearby plant roots. Till frequently,
so weeds do not grow large and cause needless tangling
in the tines.
If you plan your garden area
carefully, you can space seed
rows far enough apart to al­
low sufficient room for the
equipment to cultivate after
the plants have grown.
Figure 14: Cultivating
keeps weeds under con­
trol; plants and flowers
healthy.
Figure 12: Use an overlap technique on every pass. Figure 13: Make a second set of passes at a right angle
over the first set of passes.
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