Section 4: Operation
LOADING AND UNLOADING THE TILLER
WARNING
Loading and unloading the tiller into or from a vehicle is potentially hazardous. We don’t recommend doing so unless absolutely necessary, as this could result in person- al injury or property damage.
However, if you must load or unload the tiller, follow the guidelines given next.
•Before loading or unloading, stop the engine, wait for all parts to stop moving, disconnect the spark plug wire and let the engine and muffler cool.
•The tiller is too heavy and bulky to lift safely by one person. Two or more people should share the load.
•Use sturdy ramps and manually (engine shut off) roll the tiller into and out of the vehicle. Two or more people are needed to do this.
•Ramps must be strong enough to support the combined weight of the tiller and any handlers. The ramps should provide good traction to prevent slipping; they should have side rails to guide the tiller along the ramps; and they should have a locking device to secure them to the vehicle.
•The handlers should wear sturdy footwear that will help to prevent slipping.
•Position the loading vehicle so that the ramp angle is as flat as possible (the less incline to the ramp, the better). Turn the vehicle’s engine off and apply its parking brake.
•When going up ramps, stand in the normal operating position and push the tiller ahead of you. Have a person at each side to turn the wheels.
•When going down ramps, walk backward with the tiller following you. Keep alert for any obstacles behind you. Position a person at each wheel to control the speed of the tiller. Never go down ramps
•Use wooden blocks to place on the downhill side of the wheels if you need to stop the tiller from rolling down the ramp. Also, use the blocks to temporar- ily keep the tiller in place on the ramps (if necessary), and to chock the wheels in place after the tiller is in the vehicle.
•When the tiller is in the vehicle, prevent it from rolling by chocking the wheels with blocks and securely tie the tiller down.
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