Operational Safety

The use of this equipment is subject to certain hazards that cannot be protected against by the mechanical means or product design. All operators of this equip- ment must read and understand this entire manual, paying particular attention to safety and operating instructions, prior to using. If there is something in this manual you do not understand, ask your supervisor, or your dealer, to explain it to you.

Most accidents occur because of neglect or carelessness. Keep all helpers and bystanders at least several hundred feet from an operating rotary tiller. Only properly trained people should operate this machine.

When machine is operated in populated areas where thrown objects could injure persons or property, operation must be stopped when anyone comes within several hundred feet.

The majority of the accidents involve entanglement on the driveline, injury of by- standers by the objects thrown by the rotating tines, and operators being knocked off the tractor by low hanging limbs and then being run over by the tiller. Accidents are most likely to occur with machines that are loaned or rented to someone who has not read the owner’s manual and is not familiar with a ro- tary tiller.

The rotary tiller is designed for use only on tractors with the power take- off (PTO) turning at 540-RPM.

Install and secure all guards and shields before starting or operating. The tiller tines, driveline guards and tractor, shields should be used and maintained in good working condition. They should be inspected carefully, at least daily, for missing or broken chain links, shields, or guards. (Worn items must be replaced at once to reduce possibility of injury.)

Disengage power takeoff (PTO) and place transmission in neutral before at- tempting to start engine.

Many varied objects, such as wire, cable, rope, or chains, can become entan- gled in the operating parts of the tiller. These items could then swing outside the housing at greater velocities than the tines. Such a situation is extremely haz- ardous. Inspect the cutting area for such objects before tilling. Remove any like objects from the site.