9
WARNING: Before
operating your machine,
carefully read and understand
all safety, controls and
operating instructions 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.
Tiller Features
This section describes the location and
function of the controls on your tiller. Re-
fer to Section 4: Operation for detailed op-
erating instructions.
Practice using these controls, with the en-
gine shut off, until you understand the op-
eration of the controls and feel confident
with each of them.
IMPORTANT:
Refer to the separate engine
manufacturer’s Engine Owner’s Manual
for information about the controls on the
engine.
Wheel Gear Lever
This lever (A, Figure 3-1) has two posi-
tions: ENGAGE and DISENGAGE.
In the ENGAGE position, the wheels will
start turning when either the Forward
Clutch or the Reverse Clutch is engaged.
NOTE: The tines will also start turning
when either clutch is engaged.
DANGER: Never place the
Wheel Gear Lever in
DISENGAGE (Freewheel) when
the engine is running.
Having the Wheel Gear Lever in
engaging the tines⁄wheels with
either the Forward Clutch or the
Reverse Clutch could allow the
tines to propel the tiller rapidly
backward. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in
personal injury or property
damage.
The DISENGAGE (freewheel) position plac-
es the wheels in freewheeling mode to al-
low the wheels to turn without starting the
engine. Use the DISENGAGE position only
when the engine is not running.
To shift to ENGAGE, gently (do not force)
move the lever forward while rolling the
tiller a few inches forward or backward.
(Moving the tiller helps align the transmis-
sion shift mechanism). The wheels will
not freewheel when the lever is properly
set in the ENGAGE position.
To shift to DISENGAGE, move the lever
rearward, without rolling the tiller. The
wheels roll freely when the lever is proper-
ly set in the DISENGAGE position.
Forward Clutch Levers
Two interconnected levers (B, Figure 3-1)
control engagement of the forward drive to
the wheels and power to the tines.
WARNING: Never engage
wheels and tines with Forward
Clutch or Reverse Clutch unless
Wheel Gear Lever is in
ENGAGE. Engaging the Forward
Clutch or Reverse Clutch when
wheels are not engaged could
allow the tines to rapidly propel
tiller backward. Failure to follow
this warning could result in
personal injury or property
damage.
To Operate Forward Clutch:
1. Before engaging the Forward Clutch,
put the Wheel Gear Lever into the ENGAGE
position (see “WARNING” above).
2. Lift and hold one or both levers against
the handlebar grips to engage the wheels
and tines.
3. Release BOTH levers to disengage
wheels and tines. All forward motion will
stop (engine will continue to run).
IMPORTANT:
The Forward Clutch Levers
are connected to a mechanical interlock
that automatically shifts a separate Wheel
Gear Lever (A, Figure 3-1) into ENGAGE
position when either Forward Clutch Lever
is pulled up against the handlebars. This
is a safety feature designed to prevent the
wheels from being in DISENGAGE
(freewheel) position when the tines are
rotating.
Before starting the engine, test the
function of the mechanical interlock as
follows:
1. Put Wheel Gear Lever into DISENGAGE
position and roll tiller back and forth a few
inches. Wheels should roll freely.
2. Without rolling the tiller, squeeze either
Forward Clutch Lever against the handle-
bar grips. As the levers move upward, the
mechanical interlock automatically moves
the Wheel Gear Lever forward into the EN-
GAGE position (roll tiller back and forth a
few inches). If it does, the wheels will not
roll freely when you push and pull on the
handlebars.
3. The mechanical interlock works proper-
ly if it functions as described in Step 2. If
the mechanical interlock does not function
properly, do not operate the tiller until it
has been corrected (see your authorized
dealer or contact the factory).
Reverse Clutch Control
This control (C, Figure 3-1) engages the
reverse drive to the wheels and power to
the tines. It is used for moving the tiller
short distances in a reverse direction.
To Operate Reverse Clutch:
WARNING: Use extreme
caution when reversing or
pulling the machine towards
you. Look behind to avoid
obstacles. Never attempt to till
in reverse. Failure to follow this
warning could result in
personal injury or property
damage.
1. Before engaging the Reverse Clutch,
put the Wheel Gear Lever into ENGAGE.
(see “WARNING” at left).
2. Release the Forward Clutch Levers.
Figure 3-1: Control panel.
SECTION 3: FEATURES AND CONTROLS
D
A
B
C
B