Section4: Operation
Starting the Engine
The following steps describe how to start
and stop the engine. Do not attempt to engagetines or wheels until you have read all the operatinginstructionsin this Section. Alsoreview the safety rules in Section1: "Safety" and the tiller and engine controlsinformationin Section 3: "Features and Controls."
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 150OF.
1.Completethe
2.Put the wheels in the WHEELDRIVE
position (see "Wheel Drive Pins" in Section 3).
S.Put the Depth RegulatorLever in the "travel" position (lever all the way down) so that the tines areclear of the ground. 4. Releaseall controls on the tiller.
5.If engineis equipped with a fuel valve, 1tprn4valveto open position as instructed
in the separateEngineOwner'sManual.
6.Put ignition switch and/or throttle control lever on engine in "ON," "RUN," "FAST" or "START" position as instructed in the separateEngineOwner'sManual.
7.Chokeor prime engineas instructed in the separateEngine Owner'sManual.
8.Placeone hand onthe fuel tank to
stabilizethe unit when you pull the starter handle. Usethe recoil starter ropeto start the engine as instructed in the separate EngineOwner'sManual. When engine starts, gradually move chokelever (on enginesso equipped)to "NO CHOKE," "CHOKEOFF"or "RUN" position.
WARNING
Hot surfaces can cause severe
burns. Do not touch muffler or
adjacent areas.
9.Usethe "FAST"throttle speed setting when tilling.
WARNING
Keep away from rotating tines. Rotating tines will cause injury.
Stoppingthe Engine and Tiller
1.To stop the wheelsand tines, release the ForwardClutch 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.
OPERATINGTHETILLER
The following pages provide guidelines to using your tiller effectivelyand safely in various gardening applications. Besure to read "Tilling Tips & Techniques" in this Section before you actually put the tines into the soil.
This is a
This creates an "uppercut" tine action which digs deeply, uprooting soil and weeds. Don'toverload the engine, but dig as deeply as possible on each pass. On later passes,the wheels maytend to spin in the soft dirt. Help them along by lifting up slightly on the handlebar(palm facing up).
1.Follow the
2.Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the "travel" position (lever all the way down) so that the tines are clear of the ground. Usethis position when practicing with your tiller or when moving to or from the garden. When you are readyto begin tilling, you must move the Depth RegulatorLever to the desired depth setting (see "Tilling Tips & Techniques"). Checkthat the
freely backandforth. Removeany clogged material on or around the stake.
Figure4-2: Useonehandtoguidetiller whenmovingforward.
3.Start the engineand allow it to warm up. When warm, put throttle control in fast speed setting.
4.Forforward motion of wheelsand power to the tines:
(a)Pull the Forward Clutch Bail up and hold it againstthe handlebar. Release the bail to stop forward motion of the wheels and power to the tines.
(b)As the tiller moves forward, relaxand let the wheelspull the unit alongwhile the tines dig. Walk behindand a little to one side of the tiller. Usea light but securegrip with onehand on the handlebars,keeping your arm loose. SeeFigure