Troy-Bilt 12168 Maintenance and Storage, Know the location and functions of all controls

1911507.A (5/98)

1911362.B (3/98)

Section 1: Safety

24.Never operate this equipment if you are fatigued, or under the influ- ence of alcohol, drugs or medicine.

25.Operators shall not tamper with the engine-governor settings; the governor controls the maximum safe operating speed and protects the engine and all moving parts from damage caused by overspeed. Authorized service shall be sought if a problem exists.

26.Do not touch engine parts that may be hot from operation (muffler, fins, etc.). Be certain all parts have cooled down before inspecting, cleaning or repairing.

27.Remember—to stop tines and wheels, let go of the Drive Bail. Do not try to restrain the tiller. Let go of the handlebar if necessary.

28.Use extreme caution when moving backward or pulling unit toward you.

29.Start the engine carefully according to instructions and with feet well away from the tines.

30Never pick up or carry equipment while the engine is operating.

Maintenance and Storage

1.Never perform maintenance when engine is running or spark plug wire is connected except when specifically directed to do so.

2.Keep tiller, attachments and accessories in safe working condition.

3.Check all nuts, bolts and screws fre- quently for proper tightness. Always verify the equipment is in safe working condition.

4.Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark, or where ignition sources are present (such as hot water and space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, etc.).

5.Let the engine cool down before storing it in an enclosure.

6.To reduce fire hazard possibilities, keep the engine free of grass, leaves or grease.

7.Store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated area, safely away from any spark- or flame-producing equipment. Store gasoline in an approved container, safely out of the reach of children.

8.Refer to the Maintenance Section in this Manual for storage information if your equipment is to be stored for an extended period.

9.If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.

10.Follow manufacturer’s recommenda- tions for safe loading, unloading, transport and machine storage.

Decals For your personal safety and the safety of others, safety message decals have been affixed to your unit. Keep them clean and legible . Contact your local service dealer or the factory for replacements if any decals are

damaged or missing. Refer to the separate parts catalog for decal locations, part numbers, and ordering instructions. The safety and operational decals on your equipment are shown below (not actual size).

1911359.A (1/98)

WARNING

To Avoid Serious Injury:

•Read the Operator’s Manual.

•Know the location and functions of all controls.

•Keep all safety devices and shields in place and working.

•Keep away from rotating parts.

WARNING

•Never allow children or uninstructed adults to operate machine.

•Shut off engine and disconnect spark plug wire before manually unclogging tines or making repairs.

•Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine towards you.

•Keep bystanders away from machine.

•Do not operate tiller in rear tine tilling mode without tine hood in place, or in front tine tilling mode with tine hood installed.

Decal located on front plate of handlebar.

Decal located on top of handlebar– left side.

(1/98)	Keep away from
	rotating tines.
1911361.A
	Rotating tines will

cause injury.

Decal located on bottom

WARNING

Tines could propel tiller backwards

when rear-tine tilling!

Contact with tines will cause injury.

Follow these safe operating procedures before starting the engine:

1. When in rear-tine mode, check that the wheels are properly	Freely
engaged (NOT in Freewheel). When properly engaged, wheels
	Trailing
will not roll more than 10 inches before locking up.	Flap

2. Check that flap on tine hood is in place, freely hanging down and trailing behind tiller (see illustration at right).

PLACE FREE HAND

of handlebar and on hood flap.

3.Check that tines are properly installed so that curved cutting

edges will enter the soil first.

4. Check the engine for fuel and oil. Check the tiller's safety items.

TILLING/CULTIVATING INSTRUCTIONS

Curved Cutting Edge

HERE

WHEN MANUALLY STARTING ENGINE.

1915810 (12/97)

Decal located on fuel tank.

Decal located on

To avoid injury:

Let go of control lever.

Stand to left rear side of handlebar when first setting down tines onto sod or hard ground.

See your Owner's Manual for complete operating and safety instructions before operating this machine; the following are just some key reminders. (A replacement manual is available from your dealer or at the factory.)

1. For front-tine cultivating, remove the tine hood. Loosen	3.	Squeeze the Drive Bail lever to operate. Release this
the Handlebar Locking Lever and swing the handlebar		lever at any time to immediately stop the tiller.
around over the engine. Swing only toward the muffler	4.	For rear-tine mode, walk to one side (the left is easiest);
cage side of engine. Rotating the handlebar in the wrong		lift slightly on the handlebar for better wheel traction.
direction will damage the safety electrical interlock switch.		Wheels are automatically engaged.
Tighten the locking lever.	5.	For front-tine mode, walk right behind the handlebar;
2. For rear-tine tilling, attach the tine hood. Loosen the		wheels are automatically in Freewheel.
Handlebar Locking Lever and swing the handlebars to the	6.	Use front-tine mode to roll machine across lawns or
rear position over the hood. Swing only toward the muffler		driveways.
cage side of engine. Tighten the locking lever.

IMPORTANT: Check that safety interlock switch is clean and free of debris at all times. See "Maintenance" Section in Owner's Manual.

6

handlebar locking lever.

Decal located on top of tine hood.