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Owner’s Manual
VERSA COMPACT TILLER AND CULTIVATOR
Owner’s Manual
VERSA COMPACT TILLER AND CULTIVATOR
Get parts online at
www.GetEarthquake.com
or Call
800-345-6007
M-F 8-5 CST
Get parts online at
www.GetEarthquake.com
or Call
800-345-6007
M-F 8-5 CST
SERVICING THE ROTOTILLER
The following information will help you make the necessary
checks and perform the procedures required to follow the
normal care recommendations made for your unit. If you
prefer, your local authorized dealer can make these checks
and perform the required procedures for you.
BELT MAINTENANCE
Check Belt Tension as follows:
Belt tension may decrease over time. It may need to be ad-
justed within the first half hour of operation, and should be
checked after every ten hours of operation. Proper adjustment
will assure long belt life. Too much or too little belt tension will
cause premature belt failure.
An indication that the belt may need to be adjusted can be
heard as a continuous squealing sound when the engagement
lever is compressed, or the belt slips and tines won’t turn (see
page 19).
NOTE: A short buzzing noise can be heard when engagement
lever is released. This is normal, caused by the teeth of the cog
belt catching the wire guide, stopping the rotation of the belt.
This does not require the belt tension to be adjusted.
To check and adjust the forward belt tension:
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure.
3. Remove pulley box cover by removing four cover bolts.
SEE FIGURE 16.
4. With drive safety control lever in the neutral position,
measure length of spring when in its relaxed state.
5. Pull down on drive safety control lever and measure
length of spring when extended. Ideal length is 1/8” - 1/4”
longer. SEE FIGURE 17.
6. Replace pulley box cover.
Change Drive Belt as follows:
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure.
3. Remove pulley box cover by removing four bolts.
SEE FIGURE 16.
4. Remove the belt from the engine pulley as follows:
a. Gently pull the engine recoil rope to rotate the pulley.
b. With the pulley turning, force the belt out of the
FIGURE 16
groove and slide the belt free of the engine pulley.
c. Pull the belt down and out of the way.
d. Push the belt down and away from the transmission
pulley to remove.
5. Install new belt as follows:
a. Place belt in transmission pulley groove.
b. Gently pull the engine recoil rope to rotate the pulley
while forcing the belt into the engine pulley groove.
6. Recheck belt tension and adjust if necessary
7. Replace pulley box cover.
8. Attach spark plug wire.
COVER
BOLT
PULLEY
BOX
COVER
SPARK PLUG
SPARK PLUG
CAP/WIRE
FIGURE 17
BEEHIVE
SPRING
DRIVE SAFETY
CONTROL LEVER
DISENGAGED
FORWARD
CABLE
DRIVE BELT
(P/N 20343)
1/8” - 1/4”
STRETCH
DANGER
DO NOT STORE TILLER IN AN UNVENTILATED AREA WHERE
FUEL FUMES MAY REACH FLAME, SPARKS, PILOT LIGHTS,
OR AN IGNITED OBJECT. DRAIN FUEL OUTDOORS AWAY
FROM ANY IGNITION SOURCES. USE ONLY APPROVED
FUEL CONTAINERS.
ENGINE AND SURROUNDING PARTS BECOME EXTREMELY
HOT DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY AREAS MAY
EXCEED 150°F (66°C). AVOID THESE AREAS. ALLOW
ENGINE TO COOL COMPLETELY BEFORE TOUCHING THESE
HOT SURFACES. THESE AREAS WILL CAUSE SERIOUS BURN
INJURIES IF TOUCHED BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS COOLED.
ALWAYS KEEP HANDS AND FEET CLEAR OF ROTATING
MACHINE PARTS.
WARNING
TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL
STARTING:
ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF
AND COOL, AND SPARK PLUG
CAP/WIRE MUST BE REMOVED
AND SECURED FROM SPARK
PLUG BEFORE CHECKING
AND ADJUSTING ENGINE OR EQUIPMENT.
PRACTICE SAFETY AT ALL TIMES. ENGINE MUST BE TURNED
OFF AND ALLOWED TO COOL, AND SPARK PLUG WIRE MUST
BE DISCONNECTED AND SECURED BEFORE ATTEMPTING
ANY MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR.
NOTICE
CHECK FORWARD BELT TENSION REGULARLY. TOO MUCH
OR TOOL LITTLE TENSION WILL CAUSE PREMATURE BELT
FAILURE.
DO NOT USE CHOKE CONTROL TO STOP ENGINE. BACKFIRE
OR ENGINE DAMAGE MAY OCCUR!
TO STOP THE ENGINE AT ANY TIME, MOVE THROTTLE
CONTROL TO THE OF OR STOP POSITION, OR SET THE ON/
OFF SWITCH TO OFF.
NEVER RUN ENGINE WITHOUT COMPLETE AIR CLEANER
INSTALLED ON ENGINE. ENGINE CAN OVERHEAT AND
BECOME DAMAGED IF DEBRIS BLOCKS THE COOLING
SYSTEM OR ROTATING SCREEN.
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
Refer to the engine manual included in your parts packet for
information on engine maintenance. Your engine manual pro-
vides information and a maintenance schedule for performing
the following tasks:
1. Check oil level before each use or after every 8 hours of
operation.
2. Change oil after first 5-8 hours of operation. Change oil
while engine is warm. Refill with new oil of recommended
grade.
4. Check spark plug seasonally or every 100 hours of operation.
5. Service air cleaner.
6. Keep engine and parts clean.
7. Check engine and equipment often for loose nuts and
bolts, keep these items tightened.
CHECK OR FILL ENGINE CRANKCASE
1. To change the oil, first remove the left side shield from the
tiller. Then lock drag stake into deepest position and gen-
tly tip tiller to the left, resting it in a tilted position on its
left outer tine, wheel, and drag stake. Remove oil fill plug
with the tiller resting in the tilted position until all of
the oil has been drained into an appropriate receptacle.
SEE FIGURE 18. Wipe up any spilled oil residue and dis-
pose of oil properly according to local laws and/or ordinances.
2. Return tiller back to its upright level position and add oil
according to engine manual. Do not overfill. Use a clean,
high quality detergent oil. Use no special additives with
recommended oils. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Oil
level must be full. Check the oil level by removing oil fill
