- As with any project or task that involves power tools and engines, always be sure you are equipped with a good pair of gloves and safety goggles. Wear a pair of sturdy, well-fitting boots. Fill the tiller with oil or fuel only when the engine is cool to avoid burns; it's a good idea to fill the tank before you begin working.
- If you're starting with fresh land, dig the soil with a shovel first. If you try to till an unworked plot of land, the work will be labor intensive with poor results. As you dig the ground, take the time to remove rocks and weeds, and break up the large clumps of soil.
Start the tiller with the blades locked and the engine set to neutral. After you start the engine, drop the blades and engage the tiller. You'll want to hold your feet steady on the ground as you work, and keep a good grip on the handles. Walk slowly behind the tiller in even rows tilled to about five inches deep. Turn at the ends of rows by putting the tiller into neutral and bringing the tines up. Turn the tiller around without it tilling to begin the next row.
To make the task of tilling manageable, start in one corner of your garden area and work back and forth in a series of rows. When the ground has been tilled once, start in a corner again and work crosswise, back and forth, over the previous rows. When this sequence is complete, run the tiller through a third time, this time working diagonally to fully break up the land and prepare the plot. - At the beginning of each season, clean your tiller's blades and tines. Make sure that all of the parts turn easily, and add oil where needed to encourage easy rotation. This is also a good time to add a new, fresh fuel mix to the tiller. When the work of the tiller is done, and the engine is off, clear away any grass and weed debris, as well as large clumps of soil. Spray the tiller off with a forceful garden hose to remove any other dirt. Let the tiller dry completely and store it in a storage shed or under a plastic cover.
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