SECTION 4: OPERATION
WARNING: Before
operating your machine, carefully read and understand all safety (Section 1), controls (Section 3) and operating instructions (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 sepa- rate Engine Owner’s Manual before you start the engine. Then, take the time to fa- miliarize 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 engag- ing the soil (put tines in “travel” setting). Only after you’ve become completely fa- miliar 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 po- sition (wheel pins must be through holes in wheel hubs and wheel shaft).
3.Check unit for loose or missing hard- ware. Service as required.
4.Check engine oil level. See Engine Own- er’s Manual.
Reverse Clutch Control | |
(Models 643B & 645A) | |
Forward |
|
Clutch Bail | Depth Regulator |
| |
| Wheel Drive Pin |
| Fig. |
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.
7.Fill the fuel tank with gasoline according to the directions 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 po- sition (see Wheel Drive Pins in Section 3 of this manual).
WARNING: To help
prevent serious personal injury or damage to equipment:
•Before starting engine, put both wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position. Never have wheels in FREEWHEEL po- sition 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) positions by releasing levers.
•Never run engine indoors or in en- closed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
•Avoid engine muffler and nearby areas. Temperatures in these areas may ex- ceed 150° F.
3.Move the Depth Regulator Lever all the way down to the “travel” position, so that the tines clear the ground.
4.Release all controls on the tiller.
5.On engine’s with a fuel
6.Put ignition switch and/or throttle con- trol lever located on engine in the “ON”, “RUN”, “FAST” or “START” position, as in- structed in the Engine Owner’s Manual.
7.Choke or prime engine, as instructed in Engine Owner’s Manual.
8.Put one hand on fuel tank to stabilize unit when pulling starter rope handle. Then use recoil starter to start engine, as in- structed in the Engine Owner’s Manual. When engine starts, gradually move choke lever (if so equipped) to “NO CHOKE”, “CHOKE OFF” or “RUN” position.
9.Use the “FAST” throttle speed setting when tilling.
12
