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Tiller Tips

Safety First!

Operate Safely.
Inexperienced tiller users often encounter difficulties when they attempt to manhandle the machine. Instead, they should relax and allow the tiller to do the work.

Don't allow people or pets to stand near the tiller during operation -- and never leave a machine unattended while the engine is running. Don't allow children to operate tiller equipment.

Never attempt to remove material entangled in tines while the engine is running. Stop the engine to make any adjustments and to refuel.

Dress for Safety.
Appropriate protective clothing includes safety shoes or boots, eye protection, and gloves.

 

The tiller is used to break up and turn soil for a variety of landscaping and gardening jobs. Its rotating blades slice into the earth, breaking up the soil, turning and mixing.

There are tillers with tines positioned in front of the wheels, others with tines mounted behind the wheels, and mid-tine designs with tines between the wheels.

Small front-tine tillers are easily moved around the work site on rubber tires. For tilling, wheels either are removed or repositioned so they do not restrict the tilling action. Larger models may be self-propelled.

The digging depth of a tiller is adjustable, and for ease of use, the throttle and clutch controls are mounted on the handlebars.

1. The ground to be tilled should be moist -- either from a recent rain or from watering. Tilling in dry, hard soil is difficult and hard on equipment.

2. Till in parallel lines. If the soil is difficult to break, make a second pass.

3. If mulch or fertilizer is to be added, till the area first, spread material evenly across the top and retill to mix additives thoroughly in the soil.



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