Troy-Bilt 12180 owner manual Operating the Tiller

Section 4: Operation

Starting the Engine

The following steps describe how to start and stop the engine. Do not attempt to engage the tines or wheels until you have read all of the operating instruc- tions 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.”

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

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.

recent CRT (Counter Rotating Tines) tillers or from low-cost front tine tillers.

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”).

3.Start the engine and allow it to warm up. When warm, put throttle control in fast speed setting.

the	wheels	are	in
FREEWHEEL, they do not
hold back the tiller and the
tines could propel the tiller
rapidly forward or backward.
• Before starting engine, put
Forward Clutch		Bail	and
Reverse Clutch Control in
neutral (disengaged) 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. 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.

WARNING

Keep away from rotating tines. Rotating tines will cause injury.

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 ignition switch and/or 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 traditional “standard rotating tine” tiller with forward rotating tines. It operates completely differently from

Figure 4-2: Use one hand to guide tiller when moving forward.

4.For forward motion of the wheels and 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 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, but keep your arm loose. See Figure 4-2. Let the tiller move ahead at its own pace and do not push down on the han- dlebars to try and force the tiller to dig deeper – this takes weight off the wheels, reduces traction, and causes the tines to try and propel the tiller.

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