Operating The Tiller, Operation

Section 4: Operation 13

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.

2.To stop the engine, put the ignition switch and/or the throttle control lever in the “OFF” or “STOP” position.

OPERATING THE TILLER

The following operating instructions pro- vide guidelines to using your tiller effec- tively and safely. Be sure to read Tilling Tips & Techniques in this Section before actually putting the tines into the soil.

NOTE: This is a traditional “Standard- Rotating-Tine” (SRT) tiller with forward rotating tines. It operates completely dif- ferently from “Counter-Rotating-Tine” (CRT) tillers or from front-tine tillers.

1.Follow the Pre-Start Checklist at the beginning of this Section. Be sure that the wheels are in the WHEEL DRIVE position.

2.Move the Depth Regulator Lever all the way down, so that the tines clear the ground. Use this position when practicing with the tiller and when traveling between tilling sites. Before actually tilling, move the lever to the desired depth setting (see Tilling Tips & Techniques).

3.Start engine and allow it to warm up. Then put throttle in “FAST” setting.

4.For forward motion of the wheels and tines:

(a)Pull Forward Clutch Bail (Fig. 4-1) up against handlebar. Release bail to stop forward motion of wheels and tines.

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

(b)When tilling, relax and let the wheels pull the unit while the tines dig. Walk behind and a little to one side of the unit. Use one hand, yet keep a light— but secure—grip on the handlebar (while keeping your arm loose). See Fig. 4-2. Let the unit move at its own pace and do not push down on the handlebars to try and force the tines to dig deeper — this takes weight off the wheels, reduces traction, and causes the tines to try and propel the tiller.

WARNING

Do not push down on the handlebars to try to make the tiller till more deeply. This prevents the wheels from holding the 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.

5.To move the tiller in reverse for short distances:

(a)Release Forward Clutch Bail. Then lift handlebar until tines are off the ground.

DO NOT TILL WHILE PULLING THE TILLER BACK TOWARD YOU.

(b)Swing the handlebar to the left so the right wheel takes a “step” backward. Next swing the handlebar to the right so the left wheel “steps” backward. Repeat as needed.

(c)If longer distances need to be covered in reverse, shut off the engine, then place the two wheels in FREEWHEEL.

6.To Turn the Tiller Around:

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

(b)To begin a turn, lift the handlebars until the tines are out of the ground and the engine and tines are balanced over the wheels (Fig. 4-3).

(c)With tiller balanced, push sideways on handlebar to steer in direction of turn (Fig. 4-4). After turning, slowly lower tines into soil to resume tilling.

Fig. 4-3: To begin turn, lift handlebars until tines are out of ground and unit is balanced.

Fig. 4-4: With tines out of ground, push handlebars sideways to turn tiller.

Stopping the Tiller and Engine