Safety
1
Section
3
Training
1. Carefully read this Owner’s
Manual, the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual, and any
other literature you may receive. Be thor-
oughly familiar with the controls and the
proper use of the tiller and its engine.
Know how to stop the unit and disengage
the controls quickly.
2. Never allow children to operate the
tiller. Never allow adults to operate the
tiller without proper instruction.
3. Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly children and pets.
4. Keep in mind that the operator or user
is responsible for accidents or hazards
occurring to other people, their property,
and themselves.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the
tiller is to be used and remove all foreign
objects.
2. Be sure all tiller controls are released
and both wheels are in the Wheel Drive
position before starting the engine.
3. Do not operate the tiller without
wearing adequate outer garments. Avoid
loose garments or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts.
4. Do not operate the tiller when barefoot
or wearing sandals, sneakers, or light
footwear. Wear protective footwear that
will improve footing on slippery surfaces.
5. Do not till near underground electric
cables, telephone lines, pipes or hoses. If
in doubt, contact your telephone or utility
company.
6. Warning: Handle fuel with care; it is
highly flammable and its vapors are explo-
sive. Take the following precautions:
a. Store fuel in containers specifically
designed for this purpose.
b. The gas cap shall never be removed
or fuel added while the engine is run-
ning. Allow the engine to cool for
several minutes before adding fuel.
c. Keep matches, cigarettes, cigars,
pipes, open flames, and sparks
away from the fuel tank and fuel
container.
d. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme
care. Never fill fuel tank indoors.
Use a funnel or spout to prevent
spillage.
e. Replace all fuel tank and container
caps securely.
f. If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to
start the engine, but move the
machine away from the area of
spillage and avoid creating any
source of ignition until fuel vapors
have dissipated.
7. Never make adjustments when engine
is running (unless recommended by
manufacturer).
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts.
2. Exercise extreme caution when on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. Do
not carry passengers.
3. After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine, remove the wire from the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug. Thoroughly inspect the
machine for any damage and repair the
damage before restarting and operating
the machine.
Figure 1-1: Tiller features and controls. See separate Engine Owner’s Manual
to identify engine controls.
Forward Clutch Bail
Depth Regulator
Tine Hood Flap
Standard-
Rotating-
Tines (SRT)
Wheel Drive Pin
(on each wheel)
SPARK ARRESTER WARNING TO RESIDENTS
OF CALIFORNIA AND SEVERAL OTHER STATES
Under California law, and under the laws of sev-
eral other states, you are not permitted to operate an
internal combustion engine using hydrocarbon fuels
on any forest, brush, hay, grain, or grass covered
land; or land covered by any flammable agricultural
crop without an engine spark arrester in continuous
effective working order.
The engine on the unit is an internal combustion
engine which burns gasoline, a hydrocarbon fuel,
and must be equipped with a spark arrester muffler
in continuous effective working order. The spark
arrester must be attached to the engine exhaust
system in such a manner that flames or heat from
the system will not ignite flammable material.
Failure of the owner/operator of the unit to comply
with this regulation is a misdemeanor under Cali-
fornia law (and other states) and may also be a viola-
tion of other state and/or federal regulations, laws,
ordinances or codes. Contact your local fire marshal
or forest service for specific information about which
regulations apply in your area.