4
Operating Your Tiller
WARNING
The tine clutch control is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation.
Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.
Keep hands and feet away from the tines. Refer to warning label on the unit.
WARNING: Before operating your machine, carefully read and under- stand all safety (Section 1), controls (Section 3) and operating instruc- tions (Section 4) in this Manual, the separate Engine Owner’s Manual, and on the decals on the machine.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury.
INTRODUCTION
Read this Operation Section and the separate Engine Owner’s Manual before you start the engine. Then, take the time to familiarize yourself with the basic operation of the tiller before using it in the garden. Find an open, level area and practice using the tiller controls without the tines engaging the soil (put tines in “travel” setting). Only after you’ve become completely familiar with the tiller should you begin using it in the garden.
BREAK-IN OPERATION
Perform the following maintenance after the first two (2) hours of new operation (see Maintenance Section in this manual and in the Engine Owner’s Manual).
1.Change engine oil.
2.Check for loose or missing hardware on unit. Tighten or replace as needed.
3.Check tension on forward drive belt.
4.Check transmission gear oil level.
STARTING AND STOPPING
Pre-Start Checklist
With the spark plug wire disconnected from the spark plug, perform the following checks and services before each use:
1.Read the Safety and Controls Sections in this manual. Read the separate Engine Owner’s Manual provided with the unit.
2.Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position (wheel pins must be through holes in wheel hubs and wheel shaft).
3.Check unit for loose or missing hardware. Service as required.
4.Check engine oil level. See Engine Owner’s Manual.
5.Check that all safety guards and covers are in place.
6.Check air cleaner and engine cooling system. See Engine Owner’s Manual.
WARNING: GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE. Follow gasoline safety rules in this Manual (see Section 1) and in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
Failure to follow gasoline safety instructions can result in serious personal injury and property damage.
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7.Fill the fuel tank with gasoline according to the direc- tions in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual. Follow all instructions and safety rules carefully.
8.Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
Starting the Engine
The following steps describe how to start and stop the engine.
WARNING: Do not attempt to engage the tines or wheels until you have read all of the operating instructions 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.
1.Complete the Pre-Start Checklist on this page.
2.Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position (see Wheel Drive Pins in Section 3 of this manual).
WARNING: To help prevent serious personal injury or damage to equip- ment:
•Before starting engine, put both wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position. Never have wheels in FREEWHEEL position when engine is running.
When 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 (all models) and Reverse Clutch Control (Models 643B & 645A only) in neutral (disengaged) posi- tions by releasing levers.
•Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
•Avoid engine muffler and nearby areas. Tempera- tures in these areas may exceed 150° F.
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