How to Use a Roto-Tiller

A rototiller is a basic necessity for many serious gardeners and landscapers. The rototiller can take the difficult the task of breaking up soil to level the grade or to plant vegetation and make it much less backbreaking. When using a rototiller, don't try to push it or pull it. As the operator, your task is to guide the rototiller as it performs its job of digging into the soil to either till the soil or to cultivate it.

Things You'll Need

• Work boots
• Safety goggles
• Shovel

Instructions

Site Preparation

1. Clear the area to be tilled or cultivated. Remove rocks and debris.

2. Locate hidden hazards such as underground sprinklers, buried power cables or gas lines, and water and sewer pipes. If in doubt, call your local Dig Safe office before proceeding.

3. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to orient the rototiller's blades for tilling or for cultivating as needed for your project. Tilling prepares the soil for planting whereas cultivating removes weeds and loosens compacted soil to allow water and fertilizer to reach the plant roots.

4. Start the rototiller, following the manufacturer's recommended procedure. This procedure may involve setting the choke, priming the engine and then pulling the starter cord.

5. Hold the rototiller securely by the handle with a firm grip using both hands. Depress the throttle trigger to begin operation.

Tilling

1. Guide the rototiller forward and then backward. Allow the tines to till the soil and break up clumps of dirt with each successive pass.

2. Move the rototiller quickly for shallow tilling. Move the rototiller slowly for deeper tilling.

3. Rock the rototiller back and forth over big weeds and vines until the tines cut through and break up the roots.

4. Work the same area until the desired tilling depth is reached.

Cultivating

1. Guide the rototiller forward slowly.

2. Rock the rototiller back and forth over vegetation until the tines cut through and break up the roots.

3. Repeat running the rototiller over the same area until the desired depth is reached.

Tips & Warnings

• For tilling deeper than the rototiller will dig, till the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Remove the rototiller, then shovel out the loose dirt. Re-engage the rototiller over the same area and till it again. Repeat until the desired depth is reached.

• Wear work boots and safety goggles when operating a rototiller. Turn the rototiller off before putting your hands on or near the rototiller's tines.

References

• Tiller/Cultivator Operator's Manual, Model TC-210
• How To Use A Rototiller