Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Use a Front Tine Tiller
How to Use a Front Tine Tiller. Using a front tine tiller to break up sod and prepare a garden spot is back breaking work but it sure beats digging it up with a spade and a fork. Some advance planning can make this job a lot easier as these tillers are available in various sizes at local rental shops and you should try to rent a tiller just...
Using a front tine tiller to break up sod and prepare a garden spot is back breaking work but it sure beats digging it up with a spade and a fork. Some advance planning can make this job a lot easier as these tillers are available in various sizes at local rental shops and you should try to rent a tiller just large enough to do the job, but no larger. For really big jobs use a rear tine tiller.
Mark out the area you wish to till. Plan to begin tilling in one corner of the plot and working the soil in the long direction of the garden.
Determine the tilling depth and set the stake on the rear of the machine to that depth. This stake helps the machine maintain a uniform depth.
Start the engine by applying the choke, opening the throttle about half way and pulling firmly and quickly on the starter handle. Once started, return the choke lever to the open position. Allow the engine to warm for a minute or so at idle speed.
Open the throttle to speed the engine up. Full speed works best for tilling, but will make the machine harder to control.
Engage the tines by squeezing the engagement handle. The tiller will jump away from you at this point if you do not have a firm grip on the handlebars.
Bracing yourself, allow the machine to start tilling the soil while also allowing it to propel itself forward. Be prepared for the machine to lurch and buck as it hits rock and dense chunks of sod. When the machine stops its forward movement, try rocking it side to side while attempting to push it forward to get it moving again.
Make multiple passes over the area you are tilling. If possible make the passes from end to end and then side to side. Then reverse direction and go end to end again. The more passes you make, the smaller the remaining clumps of sod become. This makes raking easier when the tilling is done.
Tips & Warnings
Walk to the side of the machine when the soil becomes loose enough for the machine to be easily controlled. This will prevent compacting the soil under your feet and make final preparation easier.
