Bolens 675B Operating Tiller, Stopping the Engine, For reverse motion of the wheels and tines

7.Choke or prime the engine as instructed in the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.

8.Check behind you to avoid contacting

any obstacles when pulling the starter rope. Place one hand on the fuel tank to stabilize the unit and use the recoil starter to start the engine as instructed in the En- gine Owner’s Manual. When the engine starts, gradually move the choke lever (on engines so equipped) to the NO CHOKE, CHOKE OFF or RUN position, whichever ap- plies.

9.Use the FAST throttle speed setting when tilling.

Stopping the Engine

1.To stop the wheels and tines, release the Forward Clutch levers or the Reverse Clutch Control (whichever control is in use).

2.To stop the engine, move the Engine Throttle Lever into the STOP position.

Operating Tiller

WARNING: Before tilling, contact your telephone and utilities company to inquire if underground lines are on your property.

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 Sec- tion before you actually put the tines into the soil.

1.Follow the Pre-Start Checklist on the previous page. Be sure that the Wheel Gear Lever is in the ENGAGE position.

2.Move the Depth Regulator Lever into the “travel” position (lever all the way down) so that the tines clear the ground. Use this position when practicing with or transport- ing the tiller. When you are ready to begin tilling, move the Depth Regulator Lever into the desired depth setting (see Tilling Tips & Techniques).

3.Start the engine and allow it to warm up. When warm, move the throttle control into the FAST speed setting.

4.For forward motion of the wheels and power to the tines:

(a)Pull up and hold the Forward Clutch levers against the handlebars. To stop the wheels and tines, release both le- vers.

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 backward toward the operator, which could result in loss of control, property damage, or personal injury.

(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.

5.For reverse motion of the wheels and tines:

(a)Look behind and exercise caution when operating in reverse. Do not till while in reverse.

(b)Stop all forward motion before re- versing. Lift the handlebars with one hand until the tines are off the ground and then pull the Reverse Clutch con- trol out (see Figure 4-3). To stop re- verse motion, let go of the Reverse Clutch Control.

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 un- til the engine and tines are balanced over the wheels (Figure 4-4).

(c)With the tiller balanced, push side- ways on the handlebar to move the tiller in the direction of the turn (Fig- ure 4-5). After completing the turn, slowly lower the tines into the soil and increase the engine speed.

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

Figure 4-3: Raise tines off ground and look be- hind when moving in reverse.

Figure 4-4: Find balance point before turning.

Figure 4-5

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