This machine meets voluntary safety standard B71.8
– 1996, which is sponsored by the Outdoor Power
Equipment Institute, Inc., and is published by the
American National Standards Institute.
The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WARNING

Safety Alert Symbol
This is a safety alert symbol. It is used in this
manual and on the unit to alert you to potential hazards.
When you see this symbol, read and obey the message
that follows it. Failure to obey safety messages could
result in personal injury or property damage.
Section
1
Safety

Training

1. Carefully read this Owner’s Manual,
the separate Engine Owner’s Manual, and
any other literature you may receive. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and
the proper use of the tiller and its engine.
Know how to stop the unit and disengage
the controls quickly.
2. Never allow children to operate the
tiller. Never allow adults to operate the
tiller without proper instruction.
3. Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly children and pets.
4. Keep in mind that the operator or user
is responsible for accidents or hazards
occurring to other people, their property,
and themselves.

Preparation

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the
tiller is to be used and remove all foreign
objects.
2. Put the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever
into NEUTRAL before starting the engine.
3. Do not operate the tiller without
wearing adequate outer garments. Avoid
loose garments or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts.
4. Do not operate the tiller when barefoot
or wearing sandals, sneakers, or light
footwear. Wear protective footwear that
will improve footing on slippery surfaces.
5. Do not till near underground electric
cables, telephone lines, pipes or hoses. If
in doubt, contact your telephone or utility
company.
6. Warning: Handle fuel with care; it
is highly flammable and its vapors are
explosive. Be sure to take the following
precautions:
a. Store fuel in containers specifically
designed for this purpose.
b. The gas cap shall never be removed
or fuel added while the engine is
running. Allow the engine to cool
for several minutes before adding
fuel.
c. Keep matches, cigarettes, cigars,
pipes, open flames, and sparks
away from the fuel tank and fuel
container.
d. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme
care. Never fill fuel tank indoors.
Use a funnel or spout to prevent
spillage.
e. Replace all fuel tank and container
caps securely.
f. If fuel is spilled, do not attempt
to start the engine, but move the
machine away from the area of
spillage and avoid creating any
source of ignition until fuel vapors
have dissipated.
7. Never make adjustments when engine
is running (unless recommended by
manufacturer).

Operation

1. Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts. Do not allow hands or any
other part of the body or clothing near the
rotating tines or near any other moving
part. The tines begin to rotate forward
once the engine starts, the Tines/PTO
Clutch Lever is in the ENGAGE position,
the Forward Interlock Levers are squeezed
closed and the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive
Lever is shifted to FORWARD. The tines
rotate in Reverse whether the Interlock
Levers are closed or open.
2. Exercise extreme caution when on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. Do
not carry passengers.
3. After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine, remove the wire from the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching
the spark plug. Thoroughly inspect the
machine for any damage and repair the
damage before restarting and operating
the machine.
4. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or
falling.
5. If the unit should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine, discon-
nect the spark plug wire and prevent it
from touching the spark plug, and check
immediately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
6. Stop the engine, disconnect the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching
the spark plug whenever you leave the
operating position, before unclogging the
tines, or when making any repairs, adjust-
ments or inspections.
7. Take all possible precautions when
leaving machine unattended. Stop engine.
Disconnect spark plug wire and move it
away from spark plug. Remove ignition
key on electric start models
8. Before cleaning, repairing, or
3