Murray 11053x92a - Manual (Page 14)

OPERATION
14 F-051302L
CULTIVATING TIPS
S Tilling is digging in, turning over and
breaking up packed soil before planting.
Loose unpacked soil helps root growth.
Best tilling depth is 4 to 6 inches. A tiller
will also clear the soil of unwanted vege-
tation. The decomposition of this vegeta-
tion matter enriches the soil. Depending
on the climate (rainfall and wind), it may
be advisable to till the soil at the end of
the growing season to further condition
the soil.
S Avoid tilling soil that is too dry as it will
pulverize and produce a dust that will not
hold water. Also, tilling soil that is too wet
will produce unsatisfactory clods.
S Better growth will be obtained if an area
is tilled properly and used soon after till-
ing to preserve the moisture content.
S The depth rod (on the back of the culti-
vator) serves a dual purpose. It helps
regulate the depth of the cut and also
acts as a brake to help the operator con-
trol the speed of the cultivator.
S Lowering the depth rod will slow the cul-
tivator and make it till deeper. Raising
the depth rod will allow it to move faster
and till more shallow.
S If the cultivator stops forward motion and
tries to dig deeper than necessary, move
the handles from side to side to start for-
ward motion.
S Cultivating is loosening or digging
around growing plants which allows the
plants to flourish.
S When using the cultivator to remove
weeds, it is best to cultivate no deeper
than 1-1/2 inches. Cultivating deeper will
only pull to the surface ungerminated
weed seeds.
S When cultivating around plants or close
areas, you may want to remove the out-
side tines. See “Tine Replacement” in
the Service/Adjustments section.
S For better control when cultivating
around delicate plants, turn over the
depth rod and support the cultivator with
the wheels.
WARNING: Read the Owner’s
manual. Know location and
functions of all controls. Keep
all safety devices and shields in place.
Never allow children or uninstructed
adults to operate cultivator. Shut off en-
gine before unclogging tines or making
repairs. Keep bystanders away from ma-
chine. Keep away from rotating parts
and tines. They can cause injury.
HINTS FOR DEPTH ROD OR
WHEEL ADJUSTMENT
Light cultivation with moderate
growth
(1 to 2 inches depth)
Adjust the wheels upward to one of the
middle notch positions. Make sure the han-
dles are at a comfortable height for operating
the cultivator.
Seed bed preparation
(4 to 6 inches depth)
Use the depth rod. Adjust the depth rod
downward for deeper cultivation.
Heavy soil (4 inch depth or greater)
Remove the depth rod and work the tines
down with a back and forth motion to at least
a depth of 4 inches. Slowly pull the cultivator
backward allowing the soil to feed forward
over the tines.