How to Effectively Use a Rototiller
Before the advent of power garden tools, digging a garden was a difficult proposition. Beginning a garden can be very easy now due to the advent of the rototiller. A rototiller is a machine designed to dig, smooth and aerate soil. It is used to prepare garden beds, remove weeds or prepare lawns. Most tillers propel themselves so the job of garden bed establishment has become much easier. Most any gardener can use a rototiller. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rototiller
- Garden gloves
- Garden digging tool
- Eye protection
- Ear plugs
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Fuel
Instructions
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1
Check the soil to make sure it is not too wet. Use a trowel or spade to take a handful of soil in the area intended to be tilled. Use your hand to form the soil into a ball. The soil is too wet if it cannot be crumbled easily.
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2
Set the gears of the tiller to neutral. Set the depth controller to the desired setting. The depth controller is used to determine how deep the rototiller will dig. Roll the tiller to the area that will be tilled and set the tiller on level ground. Put on boots, ear plugs, gloves and eye protection.
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3
Check that the tiller is full of fuel. Check that it has oil at the proper setting. Check that all parts are attached firmly. Start the tiller according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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4
Engage the gear setting so the tiller starts moving forward. Engage the tilling mechanism. Walk behind and to the side of the tiller over the ground that has not been tilled. Steer the tiller with the handlebars just as with a lawnmower.
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5
Till the area in rows. Overlap each successive row by several inches to ensure total coverage with the tiller. Till the area again at 90 degree angles to the first rows.
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6
Turn the tiller at the end of each row. Lift the handles until the tiller balances on the two drive wheels. Move the handles left or right to turn the tiller in the desired direction. Once heading in the desired direction, lower the handles and allow the tiller to move forward. After tilling the desired area two times, the area is ready for raking and planting.
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Tips & Warnings
If a rock or debris becomes lodged in the tilling mechanism, turn off the tiller and pull off the spark plug wire before trying to dislodge the obstruction.
