Troy-Bilt 682J, E686N, E682L Moving the Tiller in Reverse, Stopping Reverse Motion, Making Turns

Section 4: Operation

Figure 4-3: Moving tiller forward: squeeze one Forward Interlock Lever and then move Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever down to FORWARD.

6.When the tiller moves forward, relax and let the wheels power the tiller along while the tines dig. Walk behind and to one side of the tiller. Walk on the side that is not yet tilled (Figure 4-4). Use a firm grip on the handlebars but keep your arm relaxed.

IMPORTANT: Let the tiller move ahead at its own pace. Do not push it ahead—this reduces operator control and tilling effi- ciency. Do not push handlebars down in an attempt to dig deeper— this takes weight off the wheels, reduces traction, and causes the tines to try to propel the tiller.

Stopping Forward Motion and Tines

1.To stop forward motion, tap Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever upward into NEUTRAL. Then release the Forward Interlock Levers. The wheels and tines will stop and the engine will continue running.

2.In an emergency, release all of the control levers. This stops forward motion and shuts-off the engine.

CAUTION

To Help Avoid Personal Injury or Damage to Equipment:

•Be sure no obstacles are behind you before operating the tiller in REVERSE.

•Disengage the tines, reduce engine speed, and move the Wheel Speed Lever to SLOW position before operating in REVERSE. Avoid using FAST wheel speed until you are familiar with backing the tiller.

Figure 4-4: Guide tiller with one hand.

Moving the Tiller in Reverse

IMPORTANT: Do not till while in

REVERSE.

1.Shift the Tines/Wheels/PTO Drive Lever (Figure 4-2) into NEUTRAL and move the Wheel Speed Lever to the SLOW position.

2.Move Tines/PTO Clutch Lever (Figure 4-2) into DISENGAGE position.

3.Verify that the area behind you is clear.

4.Lift up the handlebars until the tines are off the ground, then shift the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever all the way up and hold. You do not need to squeeze the Forward Interlock Levers to use reverse.

5.The unit immediately engages in reverse. Periodically check behind you while holding the handlebars up and the Wheels/Tines/PTO Lever in its upper-most position.

Stopping Reverse Motion

Release the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever– the lever automatically returns to the NEUTRAL position. This stops the wheels immediately. (The Forward Interlock Levers will not stop REVERSE motion.)

To Stop the Engine

Move the engine Throttle Lever to the STOP position. Then, on electric start models, turn key to OFF. Remove the key for safekeeping.

Making Turns

Turning the tiller is easy and just requires practice. First find the balance point between the engine and the tines by lifting up the handlebars (Figure 4-5). Once you find the balance point, then let the powered wheels do the turning as you push sideways on the handlebars in the direction of the turn. Practice the turning maneuver described here in a large open area. Once comfortable turning the tiller, you can then take it to the garden area.

1.At the end of a row, move the Wheels/ Tines/PTO Drive Lever (Figure 4-2) to NEUTRAL position and reduce the engine speed.

2.Move the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever (Figure 4-2) into the DISENGAGE position.

3.Resume forward operation, and lift handlebars until tines are off the ground (Figure 4-5). Find the balance point between the engine and the tines. Then push the handlebars in the direction of the turn. Be very careful to keep feet and legs away from the tines (which should be dis- engaged). Let the powered wheels do the hard work. The inside wheel will pivot in place while the outside wheel drives the tiller around in the direction of the turn.

Figure 4-5: Turning the tiller.

NOTE: Use REVERSE if necessary to turn in a limited space.

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