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12
4
WARNING
The tine clutch control
is a safety device.
Never attempt to
bypass its operation.
Use extreme care
when handling
gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable
and the vapors are
explosive. Never fuel
the machine indoors
or while the engine
is hot or running.
Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, and
other sources of
ignition.
Keep hands and feet
away from the tines.
Refer to warning label
on the unit.
WARNING: Before operating your
machine, carefully read and under-
stand all safety (Section 1), controls
(Section 3) and operating instruc-
tions (Section 4) in this Manual, the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual, and
on the decals on the machine.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious personal injury.
INTRODUCTION
Read this Operation Section and the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual 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 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
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 hardware. 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.
WARNING: 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
instructions can result in serious
personal injury and property damage.
7. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline according to the direc
-
tions 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.
WARNING: Do not attempt to engage
the tines or wheels until you have read
all of the operating instructions 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).
WARNING: To help prevent serious
personal injury or damage to equip-
ment:
• 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 or backward.
• Before starting engine, put Forward Clutch Bail
(all models) and Reverse Clutch Control (Models
643B & 645A only) in neutral (disengaged) posi-
tions by releasing levers.
• 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. Tempera-
tures in these areas may exceed 150° F.
Figure 4-1: Tiller features and controls. See separate Engine
Owner’s Manual to identify engine controls.
Operating
Your Tiller