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Section 4: Operation
POWER COMPOSTING
Power composting simply means tilling
under and burying in the soil all manner
of organic matter such as crop residues,
leaves, grass clippings and cover crops.
This material will decompose during the
non-growing season and add important
natural nutrients to the soil.
The first place to begin is with crop
residues such as leftover vines, stalks,
stems and roots. Power compost these
crop residues as soon as they finish
bearing. The sooner this is done, the
better, as tender green matter is easier to
till under. Use the deepest depth regula-
tor setting possible without causing the
engine to labor or the tiller to jump ahead.
Standing cornstalks of reasonable height
can be power composted. Pushing over
(but not uprooting) cornstalks will often
make it easier for your tiller to chop up
the stalks. Keep the tines clear of exces-
sive tangling by “fishtailing” or frequently
using reverse. Make several passes, then
return a few days later to finish off any
remaining stubble.
After tilling under crop residues, add
more organic matter such as leaves,
grass clippings and even kitchen scraps.
When tilled into the soil, this organic
matter will decompose and add even
more important nutrients to the soil.
After power composting, you may want to
plant a “green manure” cover crop to
protect the soil during the off-season. You
simply grow a crop of clover, alfalfa,
buckwheat, peas, beans, rye grass, grain,
or kale and then till it into the soil prior to
the planting season.
LOADING AND UNLOADING
THE TILLER
• Before loading or unloading, stop the
engine, wait for all parts to stop moving,
disconnect the spark plug wire and let
the engine and muffler cool. Remove
the ignition key on electric start models.
• The tiller is too heavy (over 170 lbs.,
depending on model) 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.
• Ramps must be strong enough to
support the combined weight of the tiller
and any handlers. The ramps should
provide good traction to prevent slip-
ping; 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 back-
ward with the tiller following you. Keep
alert for any obstacles behind you.
Position a person at each wheel to
control the speed of the tiller. Never go
down ramps tiller-first, as the tiller could
tip forward.
• Use wooden blocks to place on the
downhill side of the wheels if you need
to stop the tiller from rolling down the
ramp. Also, use the blocks to temporar-
ily keep the tiller in place on the ramps
(if necessary), and to chock the wheels
in place after the tiller is in the vehicle.
• When the tiller is in the vehicle, prevent
it from rolling by engaging the wheels in
the wheel drive position (put Wheel Gear
Lever in ENGAGE). Chock the wheels
with blocks and securely tie the tiller
down.
When power composting, do not keep
the Depth Regulator Lever at a deep
setting if the tiller jumps or bucks.
If jumping or bucking occurs, move the
Depth Regulator Lever down to one of
the shallower settings and then slowly
increase the tilling depth on later
passes.
Failure to follow this warning could
result in personal injury.
WARNING
Loading and unloading the tiller into a
vehicle is potentially hazardous and we
don’t recommend doing so unless abso-
lutely 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.
WARNING
