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To Start and Stop the Engine
IMPORTANT: Use the following steps to
practice starting and stopping the
engine ONLY. Do not attempt to use the
equipment as a tiller or cultivator until
you have read all operating instructions
in this Owner’s Manual.
To Start the Engine:
1. The spark plug wire must be connected
to the spark plug and the fuel tank must
have fresh, unleaded gasoline.
2. Let go of all controls.
3. Move engine throttle lever (E, Fig. 4-10)
all the way up to RUN/START position.
4. Push fuel primer bulb (F, Fig. 4-10) two
or three times. Allow two seconds or so
between pushes. In cold weather (below
50
o
F) push primer five times. NOTE:
Primer use may be needed to restart a
warm engine after a short shutdown.
5. Grasp starter handle (G, Fig. 4-10) and
pull rope out slowly until it pulls slightly
harder. Let rope rewind slowly. Then pull
rope with a rapid full arm stroke. Let rope
return slowly. NOTE: If engine fails to
start after three (3) pulls, push fuel primer
two times and pull starter rope again.
To Stop the Engine:
1. Move the engine throttle lever (E, Fig. 4-
10) down to the STOP position.
2. Let all moving parts come to a
complete stop, then disconnect the spark
plug wire and move the wire away from the
spark plug to prevent the possibility of
accidental starting.
Fig. 4-10
E
F
G
Section 4: Operation
How to Operate Your Machine
as a Rear Tine Tiller
You will find that general tilling, and
sodbusting in particular, are real delights
with the VersaTiller. This is largely due to
the machine’s counter-rotating tines
which handle tough ground-breaking jobs
easily. Be sure the equipment is in rear
tine tiller mode (see Fig. 4-11).
When breaking new sod (especially
when it is wet or very hard), the wheels
could lose traction and cause the tines to
unexpectedly propel the tiller backward.
This condition is most likely to occur dur-
ing initial tine engagement with the sod,
such as when starting a new tilling pass.
If this condition occurs, simply release
the drive bail to quickly stop the tines and
wheels. Do not exert any downward
pressure on the handlebar or attempt to
restrain the tiller.
To minimize the possibility of the tiller
moving unexpectedly backwards, always
avoid pushing down on the handlebar
when in the rear tine tilling mode. If
necessary, apply upward pressure to
increase wheel traction and to prevent
the tines from digging too deeply. This
is a very important technique! See Fig.
4-11. Also, check that the tine hood flap
is back in the trailing position and not
pointing straight down or toward the tines.
1. Start the engine and let it warm up.
2. Stand behind and on the left-side of
the handlebar and close the Drive Bail by
moving the bail up against the handlebar.
The tines and wheels will rotate. You may
walk on the left side of the machine and
slightly behind the handlebar, guiding the
tiller as it moves along, keeping its path
straight. Using one
hand on the handlebar
prevents footprints in
the freshly tilled soil
3. As you approach
the end of the first
row, raise the
handlebar to lift the
tines out of the soil.
As you swing the
handlebar to make
your turn for the next
row, let the powered
wheels assist you in
making the turn.
4. Lower the handlebar to let the tines
contact the soil again and complete the
next row. Continue tilling back and forth.
5. Till the complete garden area once
again, but at a right-angle to the original
direction.
6. To stop the tiller, let go of the Drive
Bail. To stop the engine, move the engine
throttle lever all the way down to STOP.
IMPORTANT: The wheels will not “free-
wheel” when the equipment is in rear
tine tiller mode (they only “freewheel”
when in front tine cultivator mode).
Fig. 4-11
WARNING
Engine throttle lever speed
should not be adjusted while
the tines are engaged either
for tilling or cultivating.
Failure to comply could
result in severe personal
injury or property damage.
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