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Operation
4
Section
11
INTRODUCTION
Read this section of the manual thor-
oughly before you start the engine. Then,
take the time to familiarize yourself with
the basic operation of the tiller before
using it in the garden. Find an open, level
area and practice using the tiller controls
without the tines engaging the soil (put
tines in “travel” setting). Only after you’ve
become completely familiar with the tiller
should you begin using it in the garden.
BREAK-IN OPERATION
Perform the following maintenance during
the first 2 (two) hours of new operation
(see Section 5 of this manual and the
Maintenance section of the Engine
Owner’s Manual).
1. Change motor oil.
2. Check for loose or missing hardware
on unit. Tighten or replace as needed.
3. Check transmission gear oil level.
4. Check tension on forward clutch belt.
STARTING/STOPPING ENGINE
PRE-START CHECKLIST
Do the following before starting the
engine:
1. Read the Safety and Features and Con-
trols sections in this manual. Read the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual provided
by the engine manufacturer.
2. Check unit for loose or missing hard-
ware. Service as required.
3. Check motor oil level. See Engine
Owner’s Manual.
4. Check that all safety guards and covers
are in place.
5. Check air cleaner and engine cooling
system. See Engine Owner’s Manual.
6. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline accord-
ing to the directions in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual. Follow all instructions
and safety rules carefully.
7. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
STARTING THE ENGINE
The following steps describe how to start
and stop the engine.
Do not engage the tines or wheels until
you have read all of the operating
instructions in this section, the safety
rules in Section 1: Safety, and the con-
trols information in Section 3: Features
and Controls.
1. Complete the Pre-Start Checklist in this
section.
2. Put the Wheel Gear Lever (Figure 4-1)
in the ENGAGE position.
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. Put the engine switch in the ON posi-
tion, as instructed in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual.
6. On engines equipped with a fuel valve,
move valve to the ON 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. Put the throttle lever in the start posi-
tion as instructed in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual.
9. Operate the recoil starter:
(a) Place one hand on fuel tank to stabi-
lize unit when you pull the starter
handle.
Forward Clutch
Control Lever
Forward Clutch
Control Lever
Depth Regulator Lever
Handlebar Height
Adjustment Screw
Wheel Gear Lever
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND
ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE.
Follow gasoline safety rules in this manual
(see Section 1) and in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual.
Failure to follow gasoline safety instruc-
tions can result in serious personal
injury and property damage.
DANGER
Before operating your machine, carefully
read and understand all safety (Section
1), controls (Section 3) and operating
instructions (Section 4) in this Manual,
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual,
and on the decals on the machine.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in serious personal injury.
WARNING
To help prevent serious personal injury
or damage to equipment:
• Before starting engine, put Wheel Gear
Lever in ENGAGE position.
• Before starting engine, put Forward Clutch
Control Levers in neutral (disengaged)
position by releasing controls.
• Never run engine indoors or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated area. 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.
CAUTION
Figure 4-1
Keep away from rotating tines. Rotating
tines will cause injury.
WARNING