16
Terrace Gardening (continued)
• To create a terrace, start at the top of the slope and work down. Go back and
forth across the first row as shown in Fig. 4-10.
• Each succeeding lower terrace is started by walking below the terrace you’re
preparing. For added stability of the tiller, always keep the uphill wheel in the soft,
newly tilled soil. Do not till the last 12" or more of the downhill outside edge of
each terrace. This untilled strip helps prevents the terraces from breaking apart
and washing downhill. It also provides a walking path between rows.
Fig. 4-10
LOADING AND UNLOADING
THE TILLER
WARNING:
Loading and
unloading the tiller into a
vehicle is potentially hazardous
and we don’t recommend doing
so unless absolutely necessary,
as this could result in personal
injury or property damage.
However, if you must load or
unload the tiller, follow the
guidelines given next.
• Before loading or unloading, stop the en-
gine, wait for all parts to stop moving,
disconnect the spark plug wire and let the
engine and muffler cool.
• The tiller is too heavy and bulky to lift
safely by one person. Two or more people
should share the load.
• Use sturdy ramps and manually (engine
shut off) roll the tiller into and out of the
vehicle. Two or more people are needed to
do this.
• The ramps must be strong enough to
support the combined weight of the tiller
and any handlers. The ramps should pro-
vide good traction to prevent slipping; they
should have side rails to guide the tiller
along the ramps; and they should have a
locking device to secure them to the
vehicle.
• The handlers should wear sturdy footwear
that will help to prevent slipping.
• Position the loading vehicle so that the
ramp angle is as flat as possible (the less
incline to the ramp, the better). Turn the
vehicle’s engine off and apply its parking
brake.
• When going up ramps, stand in the
normal operating position and push the
tiller ahead of you. Have a person at each
side to turn the wheels.
• When going down ramps, walk backward
with the tiller following you. Keep alert for
any obstacles behind you. Position a per-
son at each wheel to control the speed of
the tiller. Never go down ramps tiller-first,
as the tiller could tip forward.
• Place wooden blocks on the downhill side
of the wheels if you need to stop the tiller
from rolling down the ramp. Also, use the
blocks to temporarily keep the tiller in
place on the ramps (if necessary), and to
chock the wheels in place after the tiller is
in the vehicle.
• After loading the tiller, prevent it from
rolling by engaging the wheels in the
WHEEL DRIVE position. Chock the wheels
with blocks and securely tie the tiller down.
TILLING TIPS & TECHNIQUES (CON’T)
