Section 2: Operating
RTR0542 & RTR0550 Rotary Tillers 311-464M
3/2/22
19
General Operating Notes
Before beginning to till the following inspection should be
performed:
1. Check oil level in gearbox and chaincase. Refer to
on page 25.
2. Check that all plugs have been replaced properly in
the gearbox and chaincase.
3. Be sure all tiller tines, bolts, and nuts are tight.
4. Be certain all guards, shields, and dirt deflectors are
in place and secure.
5. Grease driveline shaft and all other grease fittings.
on page 25.
6. Clear area to be tilled of rocks, branches, and other
foreign objects.
7.
Tall grass and weeds should be mowed before tilling.
8. Tilling should not be done in wet conditions as soil
will stick to tines.
9. Make sure the tiller is out of the ground before
engaging the power take-off. Engage power take-off
at low engine rpm and increase engine power take-
off speed to 540 rpm only after the tines are rotating.
10. Tiller tines will cut into the ground better at 540 rpm
power take-off speed. Do not exceed the 540 rpm
power take-off speed.
11. First, begin tilling in a low gear and shift up to a faster
transport speed as ground conditions warrant.
12. Operated tiller with deck level to the ground.
13. Tiller should be operated with the tiller deck level to
the ground.
14. Tiller tines will cut better when operating the tractor at
15. full 540 rpm power take-off speed than at reduced
throttle.
16. After tilling the first 50 feet, stop and check to see that
the tiller is adjusted properly.
17. Do not make turns or attempt to back up while tiller is
in the ground. See important note below.
18. Do not engage power take-off with implement in the
fully raised or lowered position.
19. Periodically check for foreign objects wrapped
around the rotor shaft and remove them after
disengaging power take-off, turning off tractor
engine, and removing ignition key.
Turning or backing up with rotary tines
in the ground will damage the tiller.
General Operating Instructions
Before using your Land Pride RTR05 Series
Reverse-Tine Rotary Tiller, you should have completely
read the Operator’s Manual, properly attached the Tiller
to the tractor, cut the driveline to proper length, run-in the
clutch if your model is equipped with one, and gone
through the Operating Checklist. If you have missed any
of these steps, please complete them before proceeding.
Now that you have properly prepared yourself and your
tiller, it’s time to do some tilling. Carefully drive the tractor
to the site where you intend to till. You should have
already cleaned this site of any large limbs, rocks, trash,
metal, or extraneous debris. If you are in tall grass or
weeds, we highly recommend you cut or mow before you
till.
Line the tractor up just to the right of center on your tillage
plot. You will be working from the center out and turning
to the left to line up for your next pass. Lower the tiller half
way to the ground and reduce your tractor engine speed
to idle. Engage the power take-off and gradually increase
the engine speed until you reach full power take-off
speed of 540 rpm. Lower the tiller to the ground and
simultaneously commence forward travel as ground
conditions warrant. Do not make turns or attempt to back
up while tiller is in the ground. See important note below.
Travel about 50 ft. and then stop to check your results.
When stopping, remember to lift the tiller out of the
ground, stop the tractor, reduce engine speed, disengage
the power take-off, set the park brake, shut off the tractor,
and remove the keys. If you are tilling too shallow or too
deep, adjust the skid shoes accordingly. If the soil texture
is too coarse, lower the leveling door and reduce your
ground speed. If the soil texture is too fine, you will need
to raise your leveling door and increase your ground
speed. For any other problem conditions that may arise,
you will want to refer to the Troubleshooting section on
page 30.
When you are done tilling for the day, make sure you use
proper tractor shutdown procedures before you get off of
the tractor. If you are detaching your tiller, make sure you
park it on a dry and level surface leaving it clean and
ready for the next use. When you put your tiller up for the
season, make sure you refer to the Storage Directions on
page 24.
With a little practice and a few adjustments, you will soon
be achieving the results you want with your Land Pride 05
Series Reverse Tine Rotary Tiller. See
“Features and
Benefits”
on page 29 or
“Product Specifications”
on
page 28 for additional information and performance
enhancing options.
