Operating
Tilling Tips
• Install the correct front and rear tractor weights.
• Do not back up or make sharp turns with the tiller in the ground.
• Check the tines before you till. Replace missing, bent, or broken tines.
• When you till hard ground or sod, till at a shallow depth for the first pass. Till deeper on each pass after that.
• When you till a small area, make a pass through the middle, then circle the original pass, working to the outside. After you finish, make a few passes around the edge to cover ridges left by turning.
• Till straight ahead when possible. This will leave fewer ridges from turning.
• For seed bed preparation, till the soil once in the fall. Decaying vegetation will add valuable nutrients to the soil by spring. If the terrain is hilly or uneven, wait until spring, or leave some untilled strips, to help reduce soil erosion. The climate and terrain will help you decide the best time to till.
Before Tilling
• Test the soil by squeezing it in your hand. If the soil forms a ball, it is too wet to till. If soil does not compress easily or falls apart, it is ready to till.
• Do not till when soil is wet. Wet soil will stick to the tines and tine shaft. Wet soil will also dry out and become hard, making it hard to work with during the growing season.
• Mow tall weeds and grass to keep them from wrapping on tines or the tine shaft.
• Pick up rocks, branches, and other objects that might damage the tiller.
• Check the tines before tilling. Repair or replace loose, bent, or broken tines.
Raising and Lowering Tiller
Hydraulic Lift
To Raise Tiller
• Pull hydraulic lift lever (A) up to raise tiller.
To Lower Tiller
• Push hydraulic lift lever (A) down to lower tiller.
Foot Lift
To Raise Tiller
1. Push down and hold lift pedal (A).
2. Pull up lever (B) to lock tiller in the raised position.
3. Release lift pedal. Pedal should stay down and lever should stay locked.
To Lower Tiller
1. Push down and hold lift pedal (A).
2. Push down lever (B) to unlock.
3. Release lift pedal to lower tiller.
Adjusting Lift Assist Spring (Models with Foot Lift)
NOTE: Weight of attachment affects ease of lifting. Adjust lift assist spring for your particular attachment model.
1. Make sure spring nut indicator (A) is aligned with proper mark for attachment installed. If not, adjust lift assist spring so indicator is aligned with correct mark. For easy tilling conditions, adjust spring nut to 48 Blade position.
NOTE: Adjustment of lift assist spring can be determined by observing the position of the spring nut in the decal slots shown above.
2. Turn adjusting bolt (B) at front of machine frame to adjust lift assist spring:
• Clockwise - Increases spring tension and moves indicator toward front of machine for heavier attachments.
• Counterclockwise - Decreases spring tension and moves indicator toward rear of machine for lighter attachments.
3. Field conditions and tiller performance:
• For difficult conditions you may need little or no spring tension, so the weight of the tiller holds it down in heavy soils or sod.
• For normal conditions you may need moderate spring tension, so the tiller performs well in light to medium soils and soil already tilled.
Using Depth Control Knob
Adjust the depth control knob to set tilling depth. The tiller will return to the same depth each time you lower it.
1. Raise tiller as high as it will go.
2. Turn knob (A) clockwise to raise the tiller depth or counter-clockwise to lower the depth.
Adjusting Tilling Depth
1. Raise tiller and set depth control to zero.
2. Pull foot pedal back on foot lift tractors and lock into back position. Hydraulic tractors lower the hydraulic lift.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not expose more than 45 mm (1-3/4 in.) of thread or lift rod could separate from clevis. |
Picture Note: Parts removed for clarity
3. Loosen jam nuts (A) and turn lift rod (B) to adjust tiller depth.
NOTE: Maximum tilling depth is 150 mm (6 in.).
• To increase tilling depth, turn lift rod (B) out of clevis (C) and (D).
• To decrease tilling depth, turn lift rod (B) into clevis (C) and (D).
5. Check tiller ground clearance:
• Use lift lever to raise tiller as high as it will go.
• Measure distance between ground and the lowest tine.
• Tiller depth set to 6 inches the raised height clearance between the ground and tines should be approximately:
Hydraulic Lift - 108 mm (4.25 in.).
Operating Tiller
c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Thrown objects can be dangerous. Before operating the attachment:
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1. Lock wheels (A) in the raised position.
2. Put tiller in the operating position:
• Raise tiller slightly with handle (B).
• Pull lever (C) out of the frame.
• Slowly lower tiller. Release lever (C). Make sure lever locks in place.
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To help prevent clutch damage, do not engage tiller with throttle lever in the full throttle position. |
3. Start engine. Put throttle lever at 1/4 position.
NOTE: For tractors with RIO (Reverse Implement Option), the tiller will stop when the tractor is put in reverse.
5. To engage tiller, put PTO control in the on position.
6. Move throttle lever to the full throttle position.
7. Till ground at a safe travel speed.
Inspect, Unplug, or Park Attachment Safely
2. Lower attachment to the ground.
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c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating parts can catch fingers, loose clothing, or long hair. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before leaving operator’s station to adjust or service machine.
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7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before leaving operator’s seat.
Transporting Tiller
Drive the tractor with the tiller in the transport position when traveling from one tilling area to the other. Drive the tractor at a safe travel speed. Slow down on slopes or rough ground.
Place tiller in transport position as follows:
1. Grasp handle (A) and pull slightly upward on tiller to relieve tension on transport lever (B). Pull out and rotate the transport lever to engage locking pin in slot (C).
2. Pivot tiller up and forward as far as it will go.
3. Rotate transport lever (B) until locking pin disengages from slot (C). Allow transport lever to lock into hole in shield (D).