Bolens 12226 Operating The Tiller, Operation, Stopping The Engine, Stopping The Tiller And Engine

12Section 4: Operation

(b)Use the recoil starter rope to start the engine as instructed in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual. When the engine starts, gradually move the choke lever (if used) to the OPEN, CHOKE OFF or RUN position.

(c)Put the engine throttle lever in the FAST setting when tilling.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1.To stop the wheels and tines, release the Forward Clutch Control Levers.

2.To stop the engine, move the engine switch to the OFF position (if time allows, first move the engine throttle lever to the SLOW position).

3.Turn the fuel valve (if so equipped) to the OFF position.

OPERATING THE TILLER

The following pages provide guidelines to using your tiller effectively and safely in

WARNING

Before tilling, contact your telephone or utilities company and inquire if underground equipment or lines are on your property.

various gardening applications. Be sure to read Tilling Tips & Techniques in this section before you actually put the tines into the soil.

NOTE: This is a traditional “standard rotat- ing tine” tiller with forward rotating tines. It operates completely differently from 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 Wheel Gear Lever is in the ENGAGE position.

2.Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the “travel” position (lever all the way down) so that the tines clear the ground. Use this position when practicing with or transporting the tiller. When you are ready to begin tilling, 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.

WARNING

Do not push down on the handlebars to make the tiller till more deeply. This prevents the wheels from holding tiller back and can allow the tines to rapidly propel the tiller forward, which could result in loss of control, property damage, or personal injury.

4.FORWARD MOTION of the wheels and tines:

(a)Pull up and hold one or both of the Forward Clutch Control Levers against the handlebars. To stop the wheels and tines, release both levers.

(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 han- dlebars, but keep your arm loose. See Figure 4-2. Let the tiller move ahead at its own pace. Do not push down on the handlebars 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.

Figure 4-2: Guiding the tiller with one hand.

5.Moving the unit rearward:

(a)Look behind and exercise caution when pulling the machine toward you.

Do not till when reversing.

(b)Stop all tiller motion by releasing the Forward Clutch Control Levers.

(c)Stop the engine.

(d)Shift the Wheel Gear Lever into the DISENGAGE (freewheel) position. Lift the handlebars with one hand until the tines are off the ground and then pull the unit rearward.

6.To turn the tiller around:

(a)Practice turning in a level, open area. Be very careful to keep your feet and legs away from the tines.

(b)To start a turn, reduce the engine speed and then lift the handlebars until the engine and tines are balanced over the wheels (Figure 4-3).

Figure 4-3: Find balance point before turning.

(c)With tiller balanced, push sideways on handlebar to move tiller in direction of the turn (Figure 4-4). After complet- ing the turn, slowly lower the tines into the soil and increase the engine speed.

Figure 4-4: Push handlebars sideways to turn tiller.

STOPPING THE TILLER AND ENGINE

1.To stop the wheels and tines, release the Forward Clutch Control Levers.

2.To stop the engine, move the engine switch to the OFF position.