Owner's Manual
9
•  When you have completed your turn-around, release 
the drive control bar and lower handle. Place shift  
lever in till position and move throttle control to de sired 
speed. To begin tilling, hold drive control bar against 
the handle.
TO TRANSPORT
CAUTION: Before lifting or trans port ing, 
allow tiller engine and muffler to cool. 
Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain 
gasoline from fuel tank.
AROUND THE YARD
•  Release the depth stake pin. Move the depth stake 
down to the top hole for transporting the tiller. Place 
depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in posi-
tion. This prevents tines from scuffing the ground.
•  Place shift lever indicator in “F” (forward) position for 
transporting.
•  Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start 
tiller movement. Tines will not turn.
•  Move throttle control to desired speed.
AROUND TOWN
•  Disconnect spark plug wire.
•  Drain fuel tank.
•  Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.
OPERATION
en
gin
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a
r
t
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4
OIL 
LEVEL
OIL DRAIN
PLUG
OIL 
FILLER
PLUG
Fig. 12
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT 
TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING 
OIL OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN 
AP PROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CONTAINERS. USE CLEAN 
FILL FUNNELS.
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig.12)
•  The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the 
factory, already filled with SAE 30 summer weight oil.
•  With engine level, clean area around oil filler plug and 
remove plug.
•  Engine oil should be to point of overflowing when engine 
is level. For ap proxi mate capacity see “PROD UCT 
SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on page 3 of this manual. All oil 
must meet A.P.I. Service Classification SG-SL.
•  For cold weather operation you should change oil for 
easier starting (See oil viscosity chart in the Mainte-
nance sec tion of this manual).
•  To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in 
this manual.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13)
CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in 
“DISENGAGED” position when start-
 ing en gine.
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run 
out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to 
move fuel from the tank to the engine.
•  Make sure spark plug wire is prop er ly connected.
•  Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neutral) position.
•  Place throttle control in “FAST” position.
•  Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position.
•  Move choke control to choke position.
•  Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp 
tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until 
engine reaches start of com pres sion cycle (rope will 
pull slightly harder at this point).
•  Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter 
handle snap back against starter.
•  If engine fires but does not start, move choke control 
to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until 
engine starts.
ADD GASOLINE 
•  Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill.  
Use fresh, clean, regular un lead ed gasoline with a 
minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will 
increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce 
valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel 
in quan ti ties that can be used within 30 days to assure 
fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top 
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow 
for fuel expansion. If gasoline is ac-
 ci den tal ly spilled, move machine away 
from area of spill. Avoid creating any 
source of ignition until gasoline vapors 
have disappeared. 
Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not 
store, spill or use gasoline near an 
open flame.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES 
BELOW32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE 
GAS O LINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER 
START ING.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called 
gas o hol or using ethanol or methanol) can at-
tract moisture which leads to sep a ra tion and 
for ma tion of acids during storage. Acidic gas 
can damage the fuel system of an engine while 
in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel 
system should be emptied before stor age of 
30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start 
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines 
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next 
sea son. See Storage In struc tions for additional 
information. Never use engine or carburetor 
cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent 
damage may occur.










