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Operation
4
Section
12
INTRODUCTION
Read this Operation Section and the sepa-
rate Engine Owner’s Manual before you
start the engine. Then, take the time to
familiarize yourself with the basic opera-
tion of the tiller before using it in the
garden. Find an open, level area and prac-
tice 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 after
the first two (2) hours of new operation
(see Maintenance Section in this manual
and in the Engine Owner’s Manual).
1. Change engine oil.
2. Check for loose or missing hardware
on unit. Tighten or replace as needed.
3. Check tension on forward drive belt.
4. Check transmission gear oil level.
STARTING AND STOPPING
THE ENGINE
Pre-Start Checklist
With the spark plug wire disconnected
from the spark plug, perform the following
checks and services before each use:
1. Read the Safety and Controls Sections
in this manual. Read the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual provided with the unit.
2. Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE
position (wheel pins must be through
holes in wheel hubs and wheel shaft).
3. Check unit for loose or missing hard-
ware. Service as required.
4. Check engine oil level. See Engine
Owner’s Manual.
5. Check that all safety guards and covers
are in place.
6. Check air cleaner and engine cooling
system. See Engine Owner’s Manual.
7. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline
according to the directions in the separate
Engine Owner’s Manual. Follow all
instructions and safety rules carefully.
8. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
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
this page.
2. Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE
position (see Wheel Drive Pins in Section
3 of this manual).
3. Move the Depth Regulator Lever all the
way down to the “travel” position, so that
the tines clear the ground.
4. Release all controls on the tiller.
5. On engine’s with a fuel shut-off valve,
turn valve to open position, as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
6. Put ignition switch and/or throttle con-
trol lever located on engine in the “ON”,
“RUN”, “FAST” or “START” position, as
instructed in the Engine Owner’s Manual.
7. Choke or prime engine, as instructed in
Engine Owner’s Manual.
8. Put one hand on fuel tank to stabilize
unit when pulling starter rope handle.
Then use recoil starter to start engine, as
instructed in the Engine Owner’s Manual.
When engine starts, gradually move choke
lever (if so equipped) to “NO CHOKE”,
“CHOKE OFF” or “RUN” position.
9. Use the “FAST” throttle speed setting
when tilling.
Fig. 4-1
Wheel Drive Pin
(on each wheel)
Forward Clutch Bail
Depth
Regulator
Recoil Starter
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
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND
ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE.
Follow gasoline safety rules in this
Manual (see Section 1) and in the sepa-
rate Engine Owner’s Manual.
Failure to follow gasoline safety instruc-
tions can result in serious personal
injury and property damage.
DANGER
To help prevent serious personal injury
or damage to equipment:
• Before starting engine, put both
wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position.
Never have wheels in FREEWHEEL
position when 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.
• Before starting engine, put Forward
Clutch Bail in neutral (disengaged)
position by releasing bail.
• Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated 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.
CAUTION