Troy-Bilt 12069-7HP - Manual (Page 37)

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Clearing Debris From The Tines
The Bolo Tines have a self­
cleaning action which reduces
most vegetation tangling in the
tines. However, grass, string, or
tough vines can get tangled. It’s
not necessary to remove all the
material, but you should get
enough out so the action of the
tines isn’t impaired.
To avoid tangling:
• Set depth regulator lever for deep
tilling- this results in maximum
chopping action.
• Till under crop residues or cover
crops while still green.
• Sway handlebars from side to
side (6"-to-12" either way) when
power composting - this can clear
tangled tines.
If tangling occurs, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire, let
all moving parts stop, then use a
pocket knife or linoleum knife to
clear away the tangled materials.
^ WARNING
To help avoid personal injury,
stop the engine, remove the
electric start key, then dis­
connect the spark plug wire
and move the wire away from
the spark plug before at­
tempting to clean the tiller
tines hy hand.
Tilling Up And Down Slopes
Planting space may be so lim­
ited that you only have sloped
ground available for your garden.
If so, please follow two very im­
portant guidelines for tilling on
slopes: 1) till only on moderate
slopes, never on steep ground
where footing is difficult; 2) we
recommend you plant rows up and
down the slope (rather than terrac­
ing crossways) to get more plant­
ing room and also sufficient room
for cultivating. See Photo 4-27.
Growing a garden vertically on
a slope doesn’t have to mean soil
erosion will be a major problem.
You just need to put in enough or­
ganic matter so the soil has good
moisture-holding ability, and you
need to avoid making footprints or
leaving wheel marks. This keeps
erosion to a minimum.
When tilling vertically on a
slope, try to make the first pass in
an uphill direction. The tines will
dig more deeply than when going
downhill. You may have to lift the
handlebars slightly going uphill.
When tilling down the slope, over­
lap the previous uphill pass by half
a tiller width. Hint: for best re­
sults, use the HIGH belt range and
SLOW wheel speed lever position.
CAUTION
TO AVOID SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT:
• Do not operate tiller on a slope
too steep for safe operation. Go
slowly on any slope. Make sure
you have good footing.
• Wear footwear that increases
stability and reduces slippage.
• Do not use FAST wheei speed
position when on sloped ground.
• Do not shift the Wheel Speed
Lever when heading up or down
a slope, if lever is accidentaily
moved to FREE WHEEL position,
the tiller could roll out of control.
• To prevent engine damage due
to oil starvation (on slopes,the
engine is inclined and oil moves
away from surfaces that need lu­
brication), be sure the correct oil
level is maintained during all up-
hill/downhill tilling operations.
Check the level of the oil in your
engine after every one-half hour
of operation.
Photo 4-27: Tilling on a moderate slope. (Don’t till on
steep ground.)
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