After each use, remove the soil cores from the tines and apply a thin coat of oil (WD-40 or equivalent) on the tines to prevent corrosion.  Corrosion on the inside surfaces of the tines may impede core removal.

Through normal use, the steel tines may become dull and require sharpening.  The tines may be sharpened using a grinding wheel or rotary tool (e.g. Dremel).  Due to its hardness, the tines cannot be easily sharpened with a file.

The tines have sharpened tips that may bend if they strike solid objects such as concrete driveways or hard rock.  Replace the tines if they are bent.