How to Kill Grass With a Tiller

Protect your eyes with safety goggles before operating the tiller. Wearing work gloves and a long pair of pants is also essential for safe use.

Move the depth gauge on the tiller to between 6 to 8 inches. The location of this gauge varies by model, but is often found on the top of the tiller between the two handles. It is usually set by sliding a marker to the proper point on the gauge. A depth of 6 to 8 inches is safe for just about any soil composition and removes the lawn efficiently.

Wheel the tiller over to a corner in your lawn and position it so that it faces toward the corner of the lawn opposite you.

Apply the brake on the tiller. This is typically located on the top right-side of the tiller and can be engaged in many ways. Consult the user manual for the proper method.

Adjust the speed gear to the lowest setting. This setting is often located on the center console of the tiller in between the two handles. Speed is often represented by numbers. Where "1" is the slowest" and "5" is the fastest. To start the tiller, pull the start rope to fire the engine.

Release the brake as instructed in the tiller's user guide. Hold your hands firmly on both handles of the tiller. The handles will be right in front of you and sticking out from the body of the tiller. Slowly make a pass along the length of the lawn to the opposite corner. When you reach the end of the lawn, pivot the tiller to turn it around and make a pass adjacent to the first. Continue tilling until the entire lawn is finished. If you are comfortable with the current speed of the tiller you can gradually increase the speed.

Turn off the tiller and remove it from the lawn.

Remove clumps of the lawn from the soil and deposit them into a wheelbarrow. Collect the torn up grass to complete the project.