5. If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug, and check immediately for the cause. Vi- bration is generally a warning of trouble.
6. Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug whenever you leave the operat- ing position, before unclogging the tines, or when making any repairs, adjustments or inspections.
7.Take all possible precautions when leav- ing the machine unattended. Stop the en- gine. Disconnect spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug. Move Wheel Gear Lever to ENGAGE.
8.Before cleaning, repairing, or inspect- ing, stop the engine and make certain all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug to prevent acci- dental starting.
9.Always keep the tiller tine hood flap down.
10.Never use the tiller unless proper guards, plates, or other safety protective de- vices are in place.
11.Do not run engine in an enclosed area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas, a deadly poison that is odorless, col- orless, and tasteless.
12.Keep children and pets away.
13.Never operate the tiller under engine power if the Wheel Gear Lever is in DIS- ENGAGE (FREEWHEEL). In this position, the wheels will not hold the tiller back and the revolving tines could propel the tiller rapidly backward, possibly causing loss of control. Always move the Wheel
Gear Lever to ENGAGE before starting the engine or engaging the tines⁄wheels with the Forward Clutch or the Reverse Clutch.
14.Be aware that the tiller may unexpect- edly bounce upward or jump backward if the tines should strike extremely hard packed soil, frozen ground, or buried ob- stacles like large stones, roots, or stumps. If in doubt about the tilling conditions, al- ways use the following operating precau- tions to assist you in maintaining control of the tiller:
a.Walk behind and to one side of the tiller, using one hand on the han- dlebars. Relax your arm, but use a secure hand grip.
b.Use slower engine speeds.
c.Clear the tilling area of all large stones, roots and other debris.
d.Avoid using downward pressure on handlebars. If need be, use slight upward pressure to keep the tines from digging too deeply.
e.Before contacting hard packed soil at the end of a row, reduce engine speed and lift handlebars to raise tines out of the soil.
f.In an emergency, stop tines and wheels by releasing whichever Clutch Lever is engaged. Do not at- tempt to restrain the tiller.
15.Do not overload the tiller’s capacity by attempting to till too deeply at too fast a rate.
16.Never operate the tiller at high trans- port speeds on slippery surfaces. Look be- hind and use care when backing up.
17.Do not operate the tiller on a slope that is too steep for safety. When on slopes, slow down and make sure you have good footing. Never permit the tiller to freewheel down slopes.
18.Never allow bystanders near the unit.
19.Only use attachments and accessories that are approved by Garden Way Inc.
20.Use tiller attachments and accessories when recommended.
21.Never operate the tiller without good vis- ibility or light.
22.Never operate the tiller if you are tired, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medi- cation.
23.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 ser- vice shall be sought if a problem exists.
24.Do not touch engine parts which may be hot from operation. Let parts cool down
25.Please remember: You can always stop the tines and wheels by releasing the Forward Clutch Lever or the Reverse Clutch Control (whichever lever you have engaged) or by mov- ing the Throttle Control Lever to STOP.
26.To load or unload the tiller, see the instruc- tions in Section 4 of this Manual.
27.Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine towards you.
28.Start the engine carefully according to in- structions and with feet well away from the tines.
29.Never pick up or carry a machine while the engine is running.
Maintenance and Storage
1.Keep the tiller, attachments and acces- sories in safe working condition.
2.Check all nuts, bolts, and screws at fre- quent intervals for proper tightness to be sure the equipment is in safe working con- dition.
3.Never store the tiller with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building where ignition sources are present such as hot water and space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves, electric mo- tors, etc.). Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
4.To reduce the chances of a fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves, or excessive grease.
5.Store gasoline in a cool,
6.Refer to the storage instructions in the Maintenance section of this Manual and the separate Engine Owner’s Manual for in- structions if the tiller is to be stored for an extended period.
7.Never perform maintenance while the en- gine is running or the spark plug wire is connected, except when specifically in- structed to do so.
8.If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.
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