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Section 5: Maintenance
WARNING Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the unit, shut off engine, wait for all
parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark
plug. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or
property damage.
ENGINE OIL SERVICE
Check the engine oil level before starting
the engine each day and check it after each
5 hours of continuous operation. Running
the engine when it is low on oil will quickly
ruin the engine.
It is recommended that you change the
motor oil after every 10 hours of operation
and even sooner when operating in
extremely dirty or dusty conditions. Refer
to the separate Engine Owner’s Manual for
detailed service instructions.
A. To Check the Engine Oil Level:
1. Move the tiller to a level area and shut
off the engine.
2. Level the engine by adjusting the Depth
Regulator Lever. The tines must be in
contact with the ground. Move the Anti-
Reverse Stake back if necessary.
3. Clean the area around the oil dipstick or
oil fill tube to prevent dirt from falling into
the crankcase.
4. On engines with an oil fill tube, remove
the filler cap, add oil (if required) until it
reaches the top of the tube and reinstall the
filler cap.
5. On engines with a dipstick, remove it,
wipe it clean, and reinstall it finger-tight.
Remove the dipstick and check the reading.
Add oil (if required) to bring the level to the
FULL mark. Do not overfill.
B. To Change the Engine Oil:
Change the engine oil as instructed in the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
ENGINE CLEANING
Keep the engine clean to assure smooth
operation and to prevent damage from
overheating. Refer to the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual for specific repair and
cleaning instructions. All inspections and
services must be done with the engine shut
off and cool to the touch.
AIR CLEANER SERVICE
The engine air cleaner filters dirt and dust
out of the air before it enters the carbure-
tor. Operating the engine with a dirty,
clogged air filter can cause poor perfor-
mance and damage to the engine. Never
operate the engine without the air cleaner
installed. Inspect and service the air
cleaner more often if operating in very
dusty or dirty conditions.
Service the air cleaner as instructed in the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
SPARK PLUG SERVICE
Inspect and clean or replace the spark plug
after every 100 operating hours or
annually. Clean the plug and set the gap as
described in the separate Engine Owner’s
Manual.
In some areas, local law requires using
resistor spark plugs to suppress ignition
signals. If the engine was originally
equipped with a resistor spark plug, use
the same type for replacement.
SPARK ARRESTER SCREEN SERVICE
If the engine muffler is equipped with a
spark arrester screen, remove and clean it
according to the time intervals and instruc-
tions in the separate Engine Owner’s
Manual.
THROTTLE LEVER ADJUSTMENT
If the engine does not respond to various
throttle lever settings, refer to the separate
Engine Owner’s Manual for service infor-
mation or contact your local authorized
engine service dealer.
CARBURETOR/GOVERNOR CONTROL
ADJUSTMENTS
The carburetor was adjusted at the factory
for best operating speed. Refer to the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual for any
adjustment information or see your autho-
rized engine service dealer.
The governor controls the maximum
safe operating speed and protects the
engine and all moving parts from
damage caused by overspeeding. Do
not tamper with the engine governor
settings.
OFF SEASON STORAGE
When the tiller won’t be used for
extended periods, prepare it for storage
as follows:
1. Clean the tiller and engine.
2. Do routine tiller lubrication and check
for loose parts and hardware.
3. Protect the engine and perform rec-
ommended engine maintenance by
following the engine storage instruc-
tions found in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual. NOTE: Be sure to
protect the fuel lines, carburetor and
fuel tank from gum deposits by
removing fuel or by treating fuel with a
fuel stabilizer (follow engine manufac-
turer’s recommendations).
4. Store unit in a clean, dry area.
5. Never store the tiller with fuel in the
fuel tank in an enclosed area where gas
fumes could reach an open flame or
spark, or where ignition sources are
present (space heaters, hot water
heaters, furnaces, etc.).
WARNING
Operators shall not tamper
with the engine governor
settings on the machine;
the governor controls the
maximum safe operating
speed to protect the
engine and all moving
parts from damage caused
by overspeed. Authorized
service shall be sought if a
problem exists.