Yard Machines 390 - Manual (Page 10)

10
Controlling Speed And Tilling Depth
• Wheel Yoke Adjustment: Place wheel yoke so
that the wheels are forward (nearest point between
wheels and tines) for shallow tilling, cultivating and
transport. The forward speed will increase. Turn
yoke around (farthest point between wheels and
tines) for deep tilling. Forward speed will decrease.
See Figure 11.
Figure 11
Depth Stake Adjustment:
The depth stake acts as a brake for the tiller and
controls the depth and speed at which the machine will
operate. Remove the clevis pin and hairpin clip to raise
or lower depth stake. See Figure 9.
By increasing the depth of the depth stake, the forward
speed of the machine is reduced, and the working
depth is increased. See Figure 12 . 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 and wheels 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
height because the tiller will be lower when the tines
and depth stake penetrate the ground.
Figure 12
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 as
shown in Figure 13. 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.
Figure 13
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.
Wheel Yoke in this
position for
deep tilling.
Wheel Yoke in this
position for shallow tilling,
cultivating, and transport.
Shallow
Tilling
Fast
Forward
Transport
Position
Depth
Stake
Deep Tilling
Slow Forward
Raised Wheel Setting
for Deep Tilling