Bolens 645A サービスマニュアル

While tilling, relax and let the wheels 
pull the tiller along while the tines do 
the digging. Walk on the side that 
is not yet finished (to avoid making 
footprints in the freshly tilled soil) 
and lightly, but securely grip the 
handlebar with just one hand.

Whenever possible, walk on the untilled 
side of the unit to avoid making foot-
prints in your freshly tilled or cultivated 
soil. Footprints cause soil compaction 
that can hamper root penetration and 
contribute to soil erosion. They can also 
“plant” unwanted weed seeds back into 
the freshly tilled ground.

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 soil by squeez-
ing it into a ball. If it compresses 
too easily, it is too wet to till.

•  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. 4-6). When 
finished in one direction, make a second pass at a 
right angle, as shown in Fig. 4-7. Overlap each pass 
for best results (in very hard ground, it may take three 
or four passes to thoroughly pulverize the soil.)

•  If the garden size will not permit lengthwise and then 

crosswise tilling, then overlap the first passes by 
one-half a tiller width, followed by successive passes 
at one-quarter width (see Fig. 4-8).

With planning, you can allow enough room between rows 
to cultivate (see Fig. 4-9). Leave room for the hood width, 
plus enough extra room for future plant growth.

Read the following recommendations before tilling 
on slopes:
If you must garden on a moderate slope, please follow 
two very important guidelines:
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep ground 

where footing is difficult (review safety rules in Section 
1: Safety of this manual). 

2. We recommend tilling up and down slopes rather than 

terracing. Tilling vertically on a slope allows maximum 
planting area and also leaves room for cultivating.

IMPORTANT: When tilling on slopes, be sure the correct 
oil level is maintained in the engine (check every one-half 
hour of operation). The incline of the slope will cause the 
oil to slant away from its normal level and this can starve 
engine parts of required lubrication. Keep the motor oil 
level at the full point at all times!
Tilling Up and Down Slopes (Vertical Tilling)
•  To keep soil erosion to a minimum, be sure to add 

enough organic matter to the soil so that it has good 
moisture-holding texture and try to avoid leaving 
footprints or wheel marks.

•  When tilling vertically, try to make the first pass uphill 

as the tiller digs more deeply going uphill than it does 
downhill. In soft soil or weeds, you may have to lift the 
handlebars slightly while going uphill. When going 
downhill, overlap the first pass by about one-half the 
width of the tiller

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The tines have a self-clearing action which eliminates 
most tangling of debris in the tines. However, occasion-
ally dry grass, stringy stalks or tough vines may become 
tangled. Follow these procedures to help avoid tangling 
and to clean the tines, if necessary.

•  To reduce tangling, set the depth regulator deep 

enough to get maximum “chopping” action as 
the tines chop the material against the ground. 
Also, try to till under crop residues or cover crops 
while they are green, moist and tender.

•  While tilling, try swaying the handlebars from 

side to side (about 6” to 12”). This “fishtailing” 
action often clears the tines of debris.

•  If tangling occurs, lift the tines out of the soil and 

run the tiller in reverse (if unit is equipped with 
powered reverse) for a few feet. This reversing 
action should unwind a good deal of debris.

•  It may be necessary to remove the debris by 

hand (a pocket knife will help you to cut away 
the material). Be sure to stop the engine and 
disconnect the spark plug wire before clearing 
the tines by hand.