Yardworks 060-3801-2, Owner'S Manual

18

Operation

The tiller can be used to break up garden soil and prepare a seed bed for planting. Map out area

to be tilled by planning ahead in order to leave enough room between the seed rows to allow for 

cultivating after the plants have grown.

Tilling sod into the soil is not recommended. If sod must be removed to perform application then 

it is suggested to do as follows:

1. Map out the area of sod required to be removed.

2. Cut into 16 x 36" sections using a spade shovel or edger at a depth of 3 inches.

3. Lift the sod from the edges using a shovel sliding below at the roots.

4. Remove the sod. Carry sod to compost or other pile turned grass down to allow grass to 

    decompose.

5. Once sod layer is removed, begin to till the soil to desired depth.

Shallow cultivating (less than 2" [5 cm] deep) can be used to disrupt weeds and aerate soil 

without injuring nearby plant roots. It should be done often so that weeds do not grow large 

and get tangled in the tines of the tiller.

The two inner blades can be removed from the unit to allow a narrower cultivating width. 

See pages 14 & 15 for correct tine installation process.

1. With the wheel assembly installed to the desired depth position as described on page 13, 

    roll the tiller to the work area.

2. Route the extension cord through the extension cord retainer as shown on page 10.

3. Plug the tiller into an approved extension cord.

4. Stand behind the tiller, with the tines on the ground and the work area clean and free of 

    obstructions.

5. Start the tiller using directions from page 16.

             It may take several passes over the same path in order to reach the desired depth. 

Do not try to dig too deep on the first pass. If the tiller jumps or bucks, allow it to move 

forward at a slightly faster pace. In order to dig more deeply, lift up on the handlebar pushing 

the front harder into the ground. Apply downward pressure on the handlebar, pulling unit down 

towards you for more shallow cultivating. If the tiller stays and digs in at one spot, try rocking it 

from side to side in order to start it moving forward again. If the soil is very hard, water it a few 

days before cultivating. Avoid working soil that is soggy or wet. Wait a day or two after heavy 

rain for the ground to dry.

                       If weeds, roots, vines or other growth gets collected around the bottom of the 

tiller it is important to stop tiller. Disconnect from power source and clean tines using a 

screwdriver or other object which can help remove debris. If necessary, removes tines to 

untangle debris from shaft and tines. 

Remove rocks and roots before tilling in order to prevent damage to the tiller. Work the soil

when it is neither too wet nor too dry. To test the moisture level of the soil, take a handful of

soil and squeeze it. If it remains in a tight ball when you release your grip, it is too wet. If it

crumbles, it is ready to till. Dry soil is difficult to cultivate, and valuable topsoil can be blown

away when tilling on a windy day. Fall tilling presents many advantages over spring tilling. It

eliminates the need to till in the spring, and it allows for earlier planting. Soil moisture and

temperature conditions are favorable for decomposition of the organic matter that is turned

under in the fall. Furthermore, disease organisms, insects, and perennial weeds can be

reduced by tilling in the fall.

PREPARING THE SEED BED

QUICK TIPS:

IMPORTANT:

NOTE:

TILLING SOD:

GENERAL TILLING/CULTIVATING