10
OPERATION
TILLING HINTS
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual fi eld use
with throttle in slow position (mid-way
between “FAST” and “IDLE”).
• Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up
packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil helps
root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6" (10-15 cm).
A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vege ta tion.
The de com po si tion of this vegetable mat ter enriches
the soil. Depending on the climate (rain fall and wind),
it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the
growing season to further condition the soil.
• Soil conditions are important for proper tilling. Tines will
not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may con trib ute
to excessive bounce and diffi cult handling of your tiller.
Hard soil should be mois tened before tilling; however,
extremely wet soil will “ball-up” or clump during tilling.
Wait until the soil is less wet in order to achieve the
best results. When tilling in the fall, re move vines and
long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the
tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
• You will fi nd tilling much easier if you leave a row un-
tilled between passes. Then go back between tilled
rows. (See Fig. 14) There are two reasons for doing
this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than
about-faces. Sec ond, the tiller won’t be pulling itself,
and you, toward the row next to it.
• Do not lean on handle. This takes weight off the wheels
and reduces traction. To get through a really tough
section of sod or hard ground, apply upward pressure
on handle or lower the depth stake.
FIG. 14
TINE SHEAR PINS
The tine assemblies on your tiller are secured to the tine
shaft with shear pins (See “TINE REPLACEMENT” in the
Service and Ad just ments section of this manual).
If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear
pins are designed to break before internal damage occurs
to the trans mis sion.
• If shear pin(s) break, replace only with those shown in
the Repair Parts section of this manual.
3
2
1
5
4
6
7
FIG. 13
CHOKE CONTROL
RECOIL STARTER
HANDLE
RUN
CHOKE
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13)
CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in
“DISENGAGED” position when start-
ing en gine.
When starting engine for the fi rst 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 fi res but does not start, move choke control
to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until
engine starts.
• When engine starts, slowly move choke control to
"RUN" position as engine warms up.
NOTE
: A warm engine requires less choking to start.
• Move throttle control to desired running position.
• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
NOTE
: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32°F), the carburetor fuel mixture
may need to be adjusted for best engine performance.
See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual.
NOTE
: If engine does not start, see troubleshooting
points.
