Manual

Section4: Operation
Startingthe Engine
Thefollowing steps describe how to start
and stop theengine. DOnotattempt to
engagetines or wheels untilyouhave
read all the operatinginstructionsinthis
Section. Also review thesafetyrules in
Section1: "Safety" andthe tiller and
engine controlsinformationin Section
3: "Features andControls."
CAUTION
To help prevent serious
personal injury or damage to
equipment:
• Before starting engine, put
both wheels in the WHEEL
DRIVE position. Never have
the wheels in the
FREEWHEEL position when
the engine is running. When
the wheels are in
FREEWHEEL, they do not
hold back the tiller and the
tines could propel the tiller
rapidly backward.
• Before starting engine, put
Forward Clutch Bail (all
Models) and Reverse Clutch
Control in neutral (disen-
gaged) positionsbyreleasing
levers.
• Never run engine indoors or
in enclosed, poorly venti-
lated areas. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide,
an odorlessand deadly gas.
*Avoid engine muffler and
nearby areas. Temperatures
in these areas may exceed
150OF.
1. Completethe"Pre-Start Checklist" on
theprevious page.
2. PutthewheelsintheWHEELDRIVE
position (see"Wheel DrivePins"in
Section 3)+
3. Putthe DepthRegulator Leverin the
"travel" position (leverall the waydown)
so that the tines areclear of the ground.
4. Releaseall controls on the tiller.
5. If engineis equipped witha fuel valve,
turn valveto open position asinstructed
14
intheseparateEngineOwner's Manual.
6. Put ignitionswitch and/or throttle
control lever on enginein "ON," "RUN,"
"FAST" or "START" positionas instructed
in the separateEngineOwner's Manual.
7. Chokeor primeengineas instructed in
the separateEngineOwner's Manual.
8. Placeone hand on the fuel tank to
stabilizethe unit when you pullthe starter
handle. Usethe recoil starter ropeto start
the engine as instructed in the separate
EngineOwner's Manual. When engine
starts, gradually movechoke lever (on
enginesso equipped)to "NO CHOKE,"
"CHOKEOFF"or "RUN" position.
WARNING
Hot surfaces can causesevere
burns. Do not touch muffler or
adjacent areas.
9. Usethe"FAST" throttlespeed setting
whentilling.
WARNING
Keep away from rotating
tines. Rotating tines will
cause injury.
Stoppingthe EngineandTiller
1. To stop the wheelsand tines, release
the Forward Clutch Bail or the Reverse
Clutch Control -- whichever control is in
use.
2. To stop the engine, put the throttle
control lever on enginein "OFF"or
"STOP"position.
OPERATINGTHETILLER
Thefollowing pages provide guidelines to
using your tiller effectivelyand safely in
various gardening applications. Besure
to read "Tilling Tips & Techniques" in this
Section before you actually put the tines
into the soil.
This is a CRT(counter-rotating tine) tiller.
As the wheels pull forward, the tines
rotate backward.
Thiscreates an "uppercut" tine action
which digs deeply,uprooting soil and
weeds. Don't overload the engine, but dig
as deeply as possible on each pass. On
later passes,the wheels may tend to spin
in the soft dirt. Help them along by lifting
up slightly on the handlebar(palm facing
up).
1. Followthe"Pre-Start Checklist" on the
previous page. Besure that the wheels
are in the WHEELDRIVEposition.
2. Put theDepth Regulator Leverin the
"travel" position (leverall the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
Usethis position when practicing with
your tiller or when moving to or from the
garden. When you are readyto begin
tilling, you must move the Depth
Regulator Lever to the desired depth
setting (see "Tilling Tips & Techniques").
Checkthat the Anti-Reverse Stakeswivels
freelybackand forth. Removeany clogged
material on or around the stake.
Figure4-2: Useonehandtoguidetiller
whenmovingforward.
3. Start the engine and allow it to warm
up. When warm, putthrottle control in
fast speed setting.
4. Forforward motion of wheelsand
power to the tines:
(a) Pull the Forward Clutch Bail up and
hold it againstthe handlebar. Release
the bail to stop forward motion of
the wheels and power to the tines.
(b) As the tiller moves forward, relaxand
let the wheelspullthe unit alongwhile
the tines dig. Walk behindand a
little to one side of the tiller. Usea
light but securegrip with one hand
on the handlebars,keeping your arm
loose. SeeFigure4-2.