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Starting the Engine
The following steps describe how to start
and stop the engine. Do not attempt to
engage tines or wheels until you have
read all 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
the previous page.
2. Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE
position (see “Wheel Drive Pins” in
Section 3).
3. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
“travel” position (lever all the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
4. Release all controls on the tiller.
5. If engine is equipped with a fuel valve,
turn valve to open position as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
6. Put ignition switch and/or throttle
control lever on engine in “ON,” “RUN,”
“FAST” or “START” position as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
7. Choke or prime engine as instructed in
the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
8. Place one hand on the fuel tank to
stabilize the unit when you pull the starter
handle. Use the recoil starter rope to start
the engine as instructed in the separate
Engine Owner’s Manual. When engine
starts, gradually move choke lever (on
engines so equipped) to “NO CHOKE,”
“CHOKE OFF” or “RUN” position.
9. Use the “FAST” throttle speed setting
when tilling.
Stopping the Engine and Tiller
1. To stop the wheels and tines, release
the Forward Clutch Bail or the Reverse
Clutch Control — whichever control is in
use.
2. To stop the engine, put the throttle
control lever on engine in “OFF” or
“STOP” position.
OPERATING THE TILLER
The following pages provide guidelines to
using your tiller effectively and safely in
various gardening applications. Be sure
to read “Tilling Tips & Techniques” in this
Section before you actually put the tines
into the soil.
This is a CRT (counter-rotating tine) tiller.
As the wheels pull forward, the tines
rotate backward.
CAUTION
To help prevent serious
personal injury or damage to
equipment:
• Before starting engine, put
both wheels in the WHEEL
DRIVE position. Never have
the wheels in the
FREEWHEEL position when
the engine is running. When
the wheels are in
FREEWHEEL, they do not
hold back the tiller and the
tines could propel the tiller
rapidly backward.
• Before starting engine, put
Forward Clutch Bail (all
Models) and Reverse Clutch
Control in neutral (disen-
gaged) positions by releasing
levers.
• Never run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly venti-
lated 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.
This creates an “uppercut” tine action
which digs deeply, uprooting soil and
weeds. Don’t overload the engine, but dig
as deeply as possible on each pass. On
later passes, the wheels may tend to spin
in the soft dirt. Help them along by lifting
up slightly on the handlebar (palm facing
up).
1. Follow the “Pre-Start Checklist” on the
previous page. Be sure that the wheels
are in the WHEEL DRIVE position.
2. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
“travel” position (lever all the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
Use this position when practicing with
your tiller or when moving to or from the
garden. When you are ready to begin
tilling, you must move the Depth
Regulator Lever to the desired depth
setting (see “Tilling Tips & Techniques”).
Check that the Anti-Reverse Stake swivels
freely back and forth. Remove any clogged
material on or around the stake.
3. Start the engine and allow it to warm
up. When warm, put throttle control in
fast speed setting.
4. For forward motion of wheels and
power to the tines:
(a) Pull the Forward Clutch Bail up and
hold it against the handlebar. Release
the bail to stop forward motion of
the wheels and power to the tines.
(b) As the tiller moves forward, relax and
let the wheels pull the unit along while
the tines dig. Walk behind and a
little to one side of the tiller. Use a
light but secure grip with one hand
on the handlebars, keeping your arm
loose. See Figure 4-2.
Section 4: Operation
WARNING
Keep away from rotating
tines. Rotating tines will
cause injury.
WARNING
WARNING
Hot surfaces can cause severe
burns. Do not touch muffler or
adjacent areas.
Figure 4-2: Use one hand to guide tiller
when moving forward.
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