Filter
Top Products
14
Starting the Engine
The following steps describe how to start
and stop the engine. Do not attempt to
engage the tines or wheels until you
have read all of the operating instruc-
tions in this Section. Also review
the safety rules in Section 1: “Safety”
and the tiller and engine controls
information in Section 3: “Features and
Controls.”
1. Complete the “Pre-Start Checklist” on
the previous page.
2. Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE
position (see “Wheel Drive Pins” in
Section 3).
3. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
“travel” position (lever all the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
4. Release all controls on the tiller.
5. If engine is equipped with a fuel valve,
turn valve to open position as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
6. Put ignition switch and/or throttle
control lever on engine in “ON”, “RUN”,
“FAST” or “START” position as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
7. Choke or prime engine as instructed in
the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
8. Place one hand on the fuel tank to
stabilize the unit when you pull the starter
handle. Use the recoil starter rope to start
the engine as instructed in the separate
Engine Owner’s Manual. When engine
starts, gradually move choke lever (on
engines so equipped) to “NO CHOKE”,
“CHOKE OFF” or “RUN” position.
9. Use the “FAST” throttle speed setting
when tilling.
Stopping the Engine and Tiller
1. To stop the wheels and tines, release
the Forward Clutch Bail or the Reverse
Clutch Control (whichever control is in
use).
2. To stop the engine, put ignition switch
and/or throttle control lever on engine in
“OFF” or “STOP” position.
OPERATING THE TILLER
The following pages provide guidelines to
using your tiller effectively and safely in
various gardening applications. Be sure
to read “Tilling Tips & Techniques” in this
Section before you actually put the tines
into the soil.
This is a traditional “standard rotating
tine” tiller with forward rotating tines. It
operates completely differently from
CAUTION
To help prevent serious
personal injury or damage to
equipment:
• Before starting engine, put
both wheels in the WHEEL
DRIVE position. Never have
the wheels in the
FREEWHEEL position when
the engine is running. When
the wheels are in
FREEWHEEL, they do not
hold back the tiller and the
tines could propel the tiller
rapidly forward or backward.
• Before starting engine, put
Forward Clutch Bail and
Reverse Clutch Control in
neutral (disengaged) positions
by releasing levers.
• Never run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly venti-
lated areas. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide,
an odorless and deadly gas.
• Avoid engine muffler and
nearby areas. Temperatures
in these areas may exceed
150
o
F.
recent CRT (Counter Rotating Tines)
tillers or from low-cost front tine tillers.
1. Follow the “Pre-Start Checklist” on the
previous page. Be sure that the wheels
are in the WHEEL DRIVE position.
2. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
“travel” position (lever all the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
Use this position when practicing with
your tiller or when moving to or from the
garden. When you are ready to begin
tilling, you must move the Depth
Regulator Lever to the desired depth
setting (see “Tilling Tips & Techniques”).
3. Start the engine and allow it to warm
up. When warm, put throttle control in
fast speed setting.
4. For forward motion of the wheels and
tines:
(a) Pull the Forward Clutch Bail up and
hold it against the handlebar.
Release the bail to stop forward
motion of the wheels and tines.
(b) As the tiller moves forward, relax
and let the wheels pull the unit along
while the tines dig. Walk behind and
a little to one side of the tiller. Use a
light but secure grip with one hand
on the handlebars, but keep your
arm loose. See Figure 4-2. Let the
tiller move ahead at its own pace
and do not push down on the han-
dlebars to try and force the tiller to
dig deeper – this takes weight off
the wheels, reduces traction, and
causes the tines to try and propel
the tiller.
Section 4: Operation
WARNING
Keep away from rotating
tines. Rotating tines will
cause injury.
Figure 4-2: Use one hand to guide tiller
when moving forward.