Troy-Bilt Big Red, Operation Manual

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S
ection
5— o
peration
16
6. When the tiller moves forward, relax and let the wheels
power the tiller along while the tines dig. Walk behind
and to one side of the tiller. Walk on the side that is not yet
tilled. Use a firm grip on the handlebars but keep your arm
relaxed. See Figure 5-3.
Figure 5-3
NOTE:
Let the tiller move ahead at its own pace. Do not
push it ahead — this reduces operator control and tilling
efficiency. Do not push the handlebars down in an attempt
to dig deeper — this takes weight off the wheels, reduces
traction, and causes the tines to try to propel the tiller.
Stopping Forward Motion & Tines
1. To stop forward motion, tap Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever
upward into NEUTRAL. Then release the Forward Interlock
Levers. The wheels and tines will stop and the engine will
continue running.
2. In an emergency, release all of the control levers. This stops
forward motion and shuts-off the engine.
Moving in Reverse
WARNING!
To help avoid personal injury or
damage to the equipment be sure no obstacles are
behind you before operating the tiller in REVERSE.
Disengage the tines, reduce engine speed, and
move the Wheel Speed Lever to SLOW position
before operating in REVERSE. Avoid using FAST
wheel speed until you are familiar with backing the
tiller.
NOTE:
Do not till while in REVERSE.
1. Shift the Tines/Wheels/PTO Drive Lever into NEUTRAL and
move the Wheel Speed Lever to the SLOW position.
2. Move the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever into DISENGAGE position.
3. Verify that the area behind you is clear.
4. Lift up the handlebars until the tines are off the ground,
then shift the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever all the way
up and hold. You do not need to squeeze the Forward
Interlock Levers to use reverse.
5. The tiller immediately engages in reverse. Periodically
check behind you while holding the handlebars up and the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Lever in its upper-most position.
Stopping Reverse Motion
Release the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever — the lever
automatically returns to the NEUTRAL position. This stops the
wheels immediately. The Forward Interlock Levers will not stop
REVERSE motion.
Turning the Tiller
Turning the tiller is easy and just requires practice. First find
the balance point between the engine and the tines by lifting
up the handlebars. See Figure 5-4. Once you find the balance
point, then let the powered wheels do the turning as you push
sideways on the handlebars in the direction of the turn. Practice
the turning maneuver described here in a large open area. Once
comfortable turning the tiller, you can then take it to the garden
area.
Figure 5-4
1. At the end of a row, move the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive
Lever to NEUTRAL position and reduce the engine speed.
2. Move the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever into the DISENGAGE
position.
3. Resume forward operation, and lift the handlebars until
the tines are off the ground. Refer to Figure 5-4. Find the
balance point between the engine and the tines. Then
push the handlebars in the direction of the turn. Be very
careful to keep feet and legs away from the tines — which
should be disengaged. Let the powered wheels do the
hard work.
NOTE: Use REVERSE if necessary to turn in a limited space.
4. When the turn is complete, shift to NEUTRAL and lower
the handlebars. Move the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever back to
ENGAGE position and resume forward operation.