Section 4: Operation
4. When the turn is complete, shift to
NEUTRAL and lower the handlebars.
Move Tines/PTO Clutch Lever back to
ENGAGE position and resume forward
operation.
Transporting The Tiller Around
Your Property
When the engine is running, the tiller’s
powered wheels make moving the tiller to
and from the garden easy. If the engine is
not running set the Wheel Speed Lever to
FREEWHEEL position to roll the tiller to
another location.
1. Place the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever in
DISENGAGE position.
2. Move Depth Regulator Lever down all the
way into the Travel setting.
3. If using engine power, move Wheel
Speed Lever to either SLOW or FAST, and
use the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever to
drive the wheels.
4. If the engine is stopped, move Wheel
Speed Lever to FREEWHEEL, and
manually push tiller.
Testing the Forward
Interlock Safety System
The Forward Interlock Safety System is
designed to shut the tiller engine off
immediately if you lose control and
cannot stop moving FORWARD by
shifting the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever
into NEUTRAL. When you release both
Forward Interlock Levers, they send
ground to the ignition system thereby
stopping the engine. Squeezing one or
both levers up against the handlebars
enables the ignition system; therefore,
you must squeeze at least one lever
whenever the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive
Lever is engaged in FORWARD.
IMPORTANT: The interlock system also
prevents the engine from starting if the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever is engaged
in FORWARD.
How to Check the Interlock System
The Forward Interlock System has an
electro-mechanical design, and so is
subject to normal wear and possible mal-
function. Check the system for proper
operation each time prior to using the
tiller or PTO power unit.
To test the Forward Interlock System:
1. Move tiller outside to level ground.
Remove any obstacles.
2. Check that the Forward Interlock wire
harness plug, at the bottom of the handle-
bars (Figure 4-6), is securely connected
to the receptacle on the top, right side of
the transmission.
3. Move Wheel Speed Lever (Figure 4-2)
to SLOW position and move Tines/ PTO
Clutch Lever to DISENGAGE.
4. Start engine as described under
Starting and Stopping the Engine, in this
section. Set engine throttle lever to
SLOW, and let engine warm up.
5. Squeeze and hold just one of the
Forward Interlock Levers against the
handlebar grip while moving the Wheels/
Tines/ PTO Drive Lever down to
FORWARD (Figure 4-3). As the tiller
moves forward, release the Forward Inter-
lock Lever briefly. The engine should
start to stall out if the interlock system is
working properly. If it does start to stall,
quickly squeeze the lever up against the
handlebar grip, and then return the
Wheels/ Tines/ PTO Drive Lever to
NEUTRAL. Repeat this test to check that
the engine begins to stall out when the
other Forward Interlock Lever is released.
6. If the engine does not begin to shut off
when either Forward Interlock lever is
released, shut the engine off, remove the
key (if electric start), and do not operate
the tiller or PTO power unit until the
system has been repaired and is func-
tioning properly.
IMPORTANT: To avoid possible damage
to the Forward Interlock Safety system,
do not use high-pressure sprays near the
wire harness receptacle or neutral plunger
assembly.
Loading and Unloading the Tiller
The following provides information on
tiller loading, unloading, and requirements
before loading and unloading the tiller.
Read the following instructions carefully
before attempting to load or unload your
tiller.
Before Loading or Unloading the
Tiller
• Ramps must be strong enough to
support the combined weight of the tiller
and handlers. They should provide good
traction to prevent slipping; they should
have side rails to guide the tiller along
the ramps; and they should have a
locking device to secure them to the
vehicle.
• Handlers should wear sturdy footwear
that will help to prevent slipping.
Figure 4-6: Plug and receptacle of
Forward Interlock Safety System
must be securely connected.
The Forward Interlock Safety System is
designed for the operator’s safety. Do
not disconnect or attempt to defeat the
purpose of the system. If the system
malfunctions, immediately contact your
local authorized dealer or the
TROY-BILT Technical Service Depart-
ment for assistance. Do not use the
tiller or the PTO power unit until the
Forward Interlock Safety System is
functioning properly. Always test the
system before using the tiller or PTO
power unit.
DANGER
To help avoid personal injury from
revolving tines, always put the
Tines/PTO Clutch Lever in DISENGAGE
position before transporting, loading, or
unloading tiller.
WARNING
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