MTD 250 - Manual (Page 8)

8
Controlling Speed and
Tilling Depth
When tilling, leave approximately 8 inches of untilled soil
between the first and second tilling paths, then make
the third path between the first and second, Figure 7.
In some soils, the desired depth is obtained the first
time over the garden. In other soils, the desired depth
is obtained by going over the garden two or three times.
In the latter case, the depth stake should be lowered
before each succeeding pass over the garden. Passes
should be made across the length and width of the
garden alternately. Rocks which are turned up should
be removed from the garden area.
4 5 2 3 1
Figure 7 - Recommended tiller paths.
Handle Pressure
Further control of tilling depth and travel speed can be
obtained by variation of pressure on the handles.
A downward pressure on the handles will reduce the
working depth and increase the forward speed. An
upward pressure on the handles will increase the working
depth and reduce the forward speed.
The type of soil and working conditions will determine the
actual setting of the depth stake and the handle pressure
required.
Cultivating
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is desirable.
Setting the depth stake so that the wheels are about two
inches above the ground while the tiller is resting on the
tines and depth stake will allow the machine to work at
cultivating depth. The throttle should be set to control
forward movement to a slow walking speed. With the
outer tines installed, the working width of the machine is
22 or 24 inches.
For cultivation, this may be reduced to 13 inches by
removing the outer tines, refer to the Adjustment Section.
When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow enough
width to permit cultivation between the rows. In growing
corn or similar crops, check-row planting will permit cross
cultivation and practically eliminate hand hoeing, Figure
8.
The tiller has many uses other than tilling and cultivating
a garden. One of these is the preparation of lawn area for
seeding. The tiller will prepare a deep seed bed which will
be free of hard untilled spots, allowing a better stand of
grass to grow. The tiller is very useful for loosening hard
soil for excavation with a shovel; No tedious handwork will
be necessary. Your tiller may be used for mixing compost
in the pile or for mixing it with the soil in your garden. This
should be done after the soil has been broken to the full
working depth. The compost should be worked in to a
depth of six to seven inches. This may be done by work-
ing the length of the garden and then by making separate
passes across its width. The addition of decayed organic
4
Operating
Your Tiller
For tilling, the depth stake must be taken out of its
storage position. To do this, remove the clevis pin and
hairpin clip, flip the stake so the pointed end is facing
the front of the unit towards the ground, and reattach at
the desired height using the hardware removed earlier,
Figure 6.
By increasing the depth of the depth stake, the forward
speed of the machine is reduced and the working
depth is increased. When the depth stake is raised,
the working depth of the machine is reduced and the
forward speed is increased. The working depth of the
machine may be predetermined by setting the depth
stake so that the wheels are about four inches from the
ground when the tines and depth stake are resting on
the ground. This setting will permit a working depth of
about four inches. When presetting the working depth,
the handles should be adjusted so the hand grips are a
little above waist. The tiller will be lower when the tines
and depth stake penetrate the ground.
Figure 6 - Depth Stake in Tilling Position