MTD 216-310-000 - Manual (Page 12)

By increasing the depth of the depth bar, the forward
speed of the machine is reduced, and the working
depth is increased. When the depth bar is raisod, the
working depth of the machine is reduced and the for­
ward speed is increased. The working depth of the
machine may be predetermined by setting the depth
bar and wheels so that the wheels are about four inches
from the ground when the tines and depth tar are
resting on the ground. This setting will permit £ work­
ing depth of about four inches. When presetti ig the
working depth, the handles should be a little above
waist height because the complete tiller will be lower
when the tines and depth bar penetrate the grour d. The
best method will be determined by the soil cordition.
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 bar should be Icwered
before each succeeding pass over the garde i, and
passes should be made across the length anc width
of the garden alternately. Rocks which are turned up
should be removed from the garden area.
3. 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 increc se the
forward speed. An upward pressure on the hand es will
increase the working depth and reduce the forward
speed. The type of soil and working conditio is will
determine the actual setting of the depth bar aid the
handle pressure required.
4. Throttle Control: The throttle control lever is
located on the right side of handle panel.
NOTE
Right hand side is determined from
the operator’s position standing
behind the tiller.
The throttle control lever adjusts the engine speed. It
also gives finger tip control of the carburetor and
magneto stop switch. With the throttle contro knob
pushed completely forward, the carburetor is in ilTART
position. Pulling the throttle control back slightly adjusts
the engine speed to FAST. Pulling the throttio back
further reduces the engine speed to SLOW. When the
throttle is pulled completely back, the magnate stop
switch grounds out the spark and stops the engine. Use
maximum engine speed for deep tilling.
Move the throttle control to slow when transporting the
tiller. When the tiller is being moved to or from the
garden, the depth bar should be pivoted forward until
it engages the depth bar spring pin. The machine may
be moved under its own power, without damaging grass
areas as long as it is allowed to move freely. If the
operator holds back, it will start to dig.
CULTIVATING
For cultivating, a two to three inch depth is desirable.
Setting the wheels and depth bar so that the wheels
are about two inches above the ground while the tiller
is resting on the tines and depth bar will allow the
machine to work at cultivating depth. The throttle
should be set to control forward movement to a slow
walking speed. With standard tines, the maximum
working width of the tiller is 26 inches. This width may
be reduced to 24 inches by moving the clevis pins and
hairpin cotters to the inner holes on the tine shaft. For
cultivation, remove the outer tines to obtain a tilling
width of 13 inches.
When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow enough
width to permit cultivation between the rows. In grow­
ing corn or similar crops, check-row planting will per­
mit cross cultivation and practically eliminate hand
hoeing.
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 unfilled spots, allow­
ing a better stand of grass to grow. The tiller is very
useful for loosening hard soil for excavation with a
shovel. No tedious hand pickwork 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 work­
ing depth. The compost should be worked in to a depth
of six to eight inches. This may be done by working the
length of the garden, and then by mixing separate
passes across its width. The addition of decayed
organic matter will substantially increase the fertility of
your garden. For proper decaying action, fertilizer
should be applied and worked in with the mulch
materials. Breaking up leaves and straw and mixing it
with several inches of soil causes the soil to hold
moisture longer and allows proper aeration of the plant
root system. It also retards the growth of weeds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and various state
and local agencies offer published booklets and expert
advice on all phases of gardening. They should be con­
sulted regarding soil information, planting dates, and
the most satisfactory varieties of crop for your particular
area.
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