MTD Front Tine Tiller 300 - Manual (Page 8)

8
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 6.
Figure 6
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. Refer to Figure 5.
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 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. The tiller will be
lower when the tines and depth stake penetrate the
ground. See Figure 7.
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. 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. See Figure 8.
Figure 7
Figure 8
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.
Transporting the Tiller
• To transport the tiller to or from the garden, pivot
the depth stake forward and out of the way. With
the throttle control in SLOW position, the unit will
walk freely on the lawn. If the operator does not
allow the tiller to move freely, the unit will start to till
the surface. Refer to Figure 7.
Cultivating
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is desirable.
Setting the wheels and 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
Position Wheel Yoke
For Deep Tilling Position Wheel Yoke
For Shallow Tilling
Depth Stake
Transport
Position
Shallow
Tilling
Deep
Tilling Wheel Setting For
Deep Tilling