Chapter 3: Operating Your DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller. Country Home Products ROTO-HOGTM

Chapter 3: Operating Your DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller

There are three (3) applications for the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller: Garden Tilling, Sod Busting, and small Food Plot installation.

Disengage Engage

Tine Clutch Lever

• The design of this machine is for tilling soil. Never use this machine for any other purpose as it could cause serious injury.

• Contact with internal rotating parts will cause serious personal injury.

Never put hands, face, feet, or clothing under or near the debris shield with the engine running.

•

Before performing any maintenance procedure or inspection, stop the engine and wait five (5) minutes to allow all parts to stop and cool.

Disconnect the spark plug wire keeping it away from the spark plug.

• Inspect the area where you will be working. The site must be free of potentially hazardous obstacles such as glass, large stones, sticks, wire, rope, and string-like materials. Make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the DR ROTO-HOG power tiller.

Electric Starter

Switch (Electric

Start only)

OPTIONAL Spreader

ON-OFF Switch Remove all long vegetation from this site. Long vegetation will wrap around the tines and cause poor performance.

Operator Controls

The Operator’s Position is from the seat of the Tow Vehicle. See Figure 13 for the Operator’s controls.

Tines UP-DOWN

Rocker Switch

Before Starting the Engine

Figure 13

1. Raise the Tines and place the machine on level ground.

2. Check the Engine oil level every time you use the machine (Figure 10 on page 12).

3. Check the gasoline level (Figure 10 on page 12).

4. Remove any built up debris from the Tines.

5. Pull the Tine Clutch Lever all the way forward until it locks into place to disengage the Tines. A Safety Interlock Switch prevents the Engine from starting with the Tines engaged.

6. Turn the Fuel Shut-Off to the ON position (Figure 10 on page 12).

Manual Starting

NOTE: You may use this starting method even though the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller may be equipped with Electric Starting; however, make sure the Key is in the RUN position.

1. When starting a cold Engine, push the Choke Control Lever to the right (CHOKE) and the Throttle Control Lever to the far right

FAST (RABBIT) (Figure 10 on page 12) .

2. Grasp the Recoil Starter Handle (Figure 10 on page 12) and slowly pull until you feel resistance, then pull the cord with a

smooth accelerating motion to start the Engine. Do not let the Starter Handle snap back against the Engine. One or two pulls usually starts the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller.

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ROTO-HOG™ Power Tiller

3. After the Engine starts, slowly push the Choke Control Lever to the left (RUN) (Figure 10 on page 12). Wait until the Engine runs smoothly before each Choke adjustment. For the best Engine performance, you should operate the Engine with the

Throttle in the Fast (RABBIT) position (Figure 10 on page 12).

Electric Starting

1. When starting a cold Engine, push the Choke Control Lever to the far right

(CHOKE) and the Throttle Control Lever to the far right FAST (RABBIT).

(Figure 10 on page 12).

Starter Key Switch

2. Turn the Key (Figure 14) all the way clockwise until the Engine starts, then release. The Key will snap back to the RUN position and the Engine will continue to run.

3. After the Engine starts, slowly push the Choke Control Lever to the left

(RUN) position (Figure 10 on page 12). Wait until the Engine runs smoothly before each Choke adjustment. For optimum performance of the DR ROTO-

HOG Power Tiller, you should operate the Engine with the Throttle in the

Fast (RABBIT) position (Figure 10 on page 12).

Stopping the Engine

Manual Start model: Move the Throttle (Figure 10 on page 12) all the way back to the STOP position.

Electric-Start model: Move the Throttle (Figure 10 on page 12) all the way back to the STOP position, or; move the Throttle to the SLOW (Turtle) position and turn the Key to OFF.

Figure 14

Never stop the engine by moving the choke lever to the choke position. This could cause an engine backfire resulting in engine damage.

Operating Safety

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Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of your DR ROTO-HOG power tiller before using. Never allow anyone to operate the DR ROTO-HOG power tiller without first reading and understanding all instructions in this manual.

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Engage the tines in the air without contacting the soil. Slowly lower the tines into the soil while seated on the tow vehicle.

Engaging the tines with them in the soil may cause the Roto Hog to push the tow vehicle forward.

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The first pass on unknown soil conditions should be only about an inch to test the soil conditions.

• Never allow people or pets to ride on this machine.

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Always check for objects and obstacles in the path of this machine before moving.

• Always wear protective goggles or safety glasses with side shields to protect your eyes from possible objects thrown from this machine.

• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry, which can catch on the machine’s moving parts.

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We recommend wearing long pants and gloves while using this machine. Be sure the gloves fit properly and do not have loose cuffs or drawstrings.

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We recommend wearing safety shoes when using this machine. Wear shoes with non-slip treads to improve footing on slippery surfaces. Do not use the machine wearing open sandals or while barefoot.

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We recommend the use of ear protectors or ear plugs rated for at least 20 dba to protect your hearing.

• Never put your hands near the tines to clear debris while the engine is running. Always shut off the DR ROTO-HOG power tiller engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before clearing debris.

• Do not refuel the engine while it is hot or running.

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Use common sense when using the machine. Learn to recognize the change in sounds when it is overloaded. Turn off the engine immediately if the machine becomes jammed to prevent damage to the drive system.

Understanding the Control Box

The Control Box contains a 3-position momentary Rocker Switch. The “Raise” position raises the Tines (lowers the Wheels). The “Lower” position lowers the

Tines (raises the Wheels). When you release the Switch, it will return to center or OFF position (Figure 15). The Control Box also contains the Engine Electric-

Start Key Switch for the Electric-Start model and the Optional Spreader ON-OFF

Switch.

Operating Parameters

Raise

U-Bolt* for

Hanging the

Control Box

Electric-Start

Key Switch

The DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller is designed to be used with most ATVs,

Lawn\Garden Tractors, and Compact Tractors. The DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller should never be used with a Truck (2WD or 4WD). Use of a Truck will void the

DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller Warranty.

Operating Procedures

Lower

There are three (3) applications for the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller: Garden

Tilling, Sod Busting, and small Food Plot installation. For all applications, engage the tines while they are raised and not contacting the soil. Then slowly lower the tines into the soil to the proper depth for the different soil conditions.

Figure 15

Gardens:

1. Check the area for large stones and foreign objects that could snag or wedge into the tines.

*For alternate attachment using the Hook and Loop, see Figure 12 on page 13.

OPTIONAL

Spreader

ON-OFF

Switch

2. Perform a soil test to assess needs for soil treatment.

Tip: If a soil test indicates amendments necessary (lime, fertilizers, sulfur, etc) then apply before tilling to best integrate it into the soil. You can apply amendment with the Optional Spreader and incorporate it with the Tiller.

3. Check wetness in the soil to determine if clumping will require slower Tow Vehicle speeds.

Food Plot Installation and Sod Busting:

1. Clear the work area of objects such as glass, large sticks and stones, roots, metal objects, wire, rope, and string-like materials.

2. Cut all vegetation to the lowest possible height.

3. Remove the cut vegetation by either rake, vacuum, blowing OR allow it to dry several days and re-cut.

Failure to remove long vegetation will result in frequent stalling of the engine.

NOTE: For information on ordering the optional equipment, visit our web site at www.DRpower.com.

4. Refer to seed specifications to determine the optimal depth of tillage necessary.

5. With initial pass, begin breaking only the top inch of soil to breakup sod.

6. Break the soil thoroughly across the entire area. See “Tilling Tips” on the next page.

7. Gradually lower the Tines 1-2 inches and repeat step 6 until you are satisfied with the tillage created.

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ROTO-HOG™ Power Tiller

8. Using the Optional Spreader, apply seed at a rate specified by the seed manufacturer.

Tilling Tips

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In compacted soil or sod, or in food plot and sod busting applications, several passes may be necessary to till to a depth of seven (7) inches. For the first pass, just scratch the surface. The depth for each successive pass needs to be determined by individual site and soil conditions. If the machine stalls repeatedly, you should till slower or not as deep.

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Check the ground moisture. DO NOT till if you can make a ball of soil in your hand from the ground to be tilled; it is too wet.

Create full tillage (depths up to 7") after entire area is dry.

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To obtain the most efficient tillage, operate the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller Engine at full throttle at the slowest speed of your

Tow Vehicle.

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When operating the machine for the first time, proceed slowly and carefully until you become familiar with the proper method of operating the machine.

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Soil conditions will determine how deep the machine can penetrate on the first pass.

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In damp soil, till only the top inch of seedbed. Allow tillage to dry for several hours in sunny and/or windy conditions.

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Listen to your DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller Engine. When the Engine RPM decreases or stalls (overloaded condition) raise the Tines for shallower tilling.

If the Engine is lightly loaded, lower the Tines to increase the tilling depth.

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If the soil is extremely hard and dry, it may be desirable to “cross till” an area at a shallow depth first, then till the soil in the direction of planting rows on subsequent passes until the desired tillage is obtained.

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Where possible, we recommend that you till in a pattern similar to that shown in Figure 16.

1. Make the first pass.

NOTE: If you raise the tines at the end of a pass, use care to lower them back to the same depth. Tilling too deep on the first pass may cause the Tiller to stall or break Shear Pins.

2. Skip a space equal to the width of the machine.

Figure 16

3. Make the return pass.

4. Till the skipped areas.

Cultivating Tips

You can use the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller for cultivating (Figure 17), which requires a minimum of two (2) inches of soil penetration.

• Set the tines so they will penetrate the soil to a depth of two (2) to three (3) inches.

• Run the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller Engine at Full Throttle.

Figure 17

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Slopes and Uneven Terrain

• Never operate your DR ROTO-HOG power tiller on slopes greater than 5 degrees. Doing so could result in serious injury or damage to your machine.

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When operating the machine over uneven terrain and slopes, use extreme caution to not tip over the machine. Move slowly if the ground has ruts, bumps, and other depressions.

Handling and Transporting

Never lift the machine while the engine is running.

We recommend using two (2) people to lift the DR ROTO-HOG Power Tiller. Lift the machine by the SMOOTH-TRAK™ Hitch to connect and disconnect from your Tow Vehicle. To transport the machine with your Tow Vehicle, first raise the tines to the MAX position (lower the Wheels) using the Control Box.

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The DR ROTO HOG power tiller is not equipped for towing on any public roadway.

• When towed, the maximum safe towing speed is 10 mph.

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ROTO-HOG™ Power Tiller