Troy-Bilt Horse Tiller Operation Manual - Page 20

Avoid Tilling Wet, Soggy Soil • • Tilling wet soil often results in large, hard clumps of soil that can interfere with planting. If time permits, wait a day or two after heavy rains to allow the soil to dry before tilling. Test the soil by squeezing it into a ball. If it compresses too easily, it is too wet to till. Avoid Making Footprints • When possible, walk on the untilled side of the tiller to avoid making footprints in the freshly tilled soil. See Fig. 4-3. Footprints cause soil compaction that can hamper root penetration and contribute to soil erosion. They can also "plant" unwanted weed seeds back into the newly tilled soil. Suggested Tilling Patterns • When preparing a seedbed, go over the same path twice in the first row, then overlap one-half the tiller width on the rest of the passes. See Fig. 4-11. When finished in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle . See Fig. 4-12. Overlap each pass for best results. In very hard ground it may take three or four passes to thoroughly pulverize the soil. Figure 4-11 Figure 4-12 • If the garden size will not permit lengthwise and then crosswise tilling, then overlap the first passes by 1⁄2 a tiller width, followed by successive passes at 1⁄⁄4 width. See Fig. 4-13. 1 2 3 Figure 4-13 20 Section 5- Operation