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Form 1905103  (3/98)

Owner’s Manual

5 H.P.

• Safety
• Assembly
• Controls
• Operation
• Maintenance

Model

12168

®

© 1998 GARDEN WAY INCORPORATED

TM

Summary of Contents for VersaTiller 12168

Page 1: ...Form 1905103 3 98 Owner s Manual 5 H P Safety Assembly Controls Operation Maintenance Model 12168 1998 GARDEN WAY INCORPORATED TM ...

Page 2: ...estions concern ing the unit contact your local authorized dealer or the factory Our telephone numbers and mailing addresses are listed on Page 3 We want to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times Safety Alert Symbol This is a safety alert symbol It is used in this manual and on the unit to alert you to potential hazards When you see this symbol read and obey the message that follows it Fai...

Page 3: ...e If you have questions or problems with the unit contact your local dealer or call or write to the factory When calling or writing the factory provide the model serial number of the unit Replacement Parts Factory specified replacement parts are available from your authorized dealer or directly from the factory For parts ordering information refer to the parts catalog Engine Service and Repair For...

Page 4: ...efore starting the engine 3 Do not operate this equipment with out wearing suitable clothing Avoid loose garments or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts of the tiller or its engine 4 Do not operate the tiller when you are barefoot in sandals sneakers or other light footwear Wear protective footwear that grips well on slippery surfaces 5 Do not till or cultivate near under ground electric...

Page 5: ...or cultivate in front tine tiller cultivator mode with the tine hood installed in this mode the tine hood should always be off Failure to comply with these requirements could result in serious personal injury or damage to the tine hood A special safety interlock switch pre vents the engine from running if the tine hood is removed when the handle bar is in the rear tine tiller mode handlebars over ...

Page 6: ...ing parts Never allow children or uninstructed adults to operate machine Shut off engine and disconnect spark plug wire before manually unclogging tinesormakingrepairs Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine towards you Keep bystanders away from machine Do not operate tiller in rear tine tilling mode without tine hood in place or in front tine tilling mode with tine hood installe...

Page 7: ... the plastic tie on the handlebar to free the drive bail Fig 2 1 4 The assembly is easiest by leaving the tiller on the wood shipping pallet until the handlebar has been completely assembled If the unit must be moved off the pallet and rolled to another location for assem bly see Freewheel message on Pg 8 5 Open the hardware bag and group the hardware Check the contents against the following list ...

Page 8: ... type and viscosity motor oil to use 2 With the tiller on level ground unscrew and remove the oil fill dipstick L Fig 2 5 Using a funnel pour fresh motor oil into the dipstick opening Add oil gradually and check the level with the dipstick several times to be sure not to overfill the engine Add oil until the level is up to the FULL mark on the dipstick 3 The oil level on the dipstick should always...

Page 9: ...e engine for cultivating NOTE The hood must always be in place and locked with the hood release pin when the machine is used for rear tine tilling or else the engine will not run Tines Four tine sets E Fig 3 1 each set has four tines rotate at high speed and do the tilling and cultivating in the soil When you are rear tine tilling and stand ing in the operator s position behind the hood the tines ...

Page 10: ...ipstick Turn and lift up to remove the oil dipstick J Fig 3 2 from the top of the engine Always keep the oil level between the ADD and FULL marks at the end of the dipstick Refer to your Engine Operator s Manual for specific motor oil recommendations Fuel Tank The fuel tank and cap are on top of the engine K Fig 3 2 Spark Plug The spark plug wire L Fig 3 2 must be securely attached to the spark pl...

Page 11: ...elock the lever Roll the equipment to the desired location Swivel the handlebar back to its original position over the tine hood to return to the rear tine tiller mode IMPORTANT Always swivel handlebar around on muffler cage side of engine To avoid damage to engine recoil cover and control cable never swivel handlebar on fuel tank side of engine Fig 4 1A Fig 4 1B Fig 4 2A Fig 4 2B WARNING Before o...

Page 12: ...for long periods To Add Gasoline 1 Clean the fuel cap area before removing the fuel cap 2 Using a clean funnel fill tank to within 1 2 of the top to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion Replace the fuel cap securely before starting the engine WARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive Follow these safety practices to help prevent injury from fire or explosion Never...

Page 13: ...ccurs the engine will shut off if running or the engine will not start Rear Tine Tiller Mode In this mode the handlebar is positioned directly over the tine hood or within 200 of this position and the operator stands alongside or be hind the hood The hood must be proper ly installed and securely locked If the tine hood were to be removed the engine would stop immediately or if it had not been runn...

Page 14: ...o rear tine tiller mode 1 Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire The equipment must be on a level firm surface 2 Replace the hood by first engaging the rear hood bracket on the pin at the end of the transmission see Fig 4 7 Connect the front of the hood to the handlebar base by aligning the two brackets offset the hood brackets to the left of the base brackets then insert the hood rele...

Page 15: ... dur ing initial tine engagement with the sod such as when starting a new tilling pass If this condition occurs simply release the drive bail to quickly stop the tines and wheels Do not exert any downward pressure on the handlebar or attempt to restrain the tiller To minimize the possibility of the tiller moving unexpectedly backwards always avoid pushing down on the handlebar when in the rear tin...

Page 16: ... cultivator mode see Fig 4 8 and 4 12 The handlebar must be positioned over the engine and the tine hood removed See Page 14 for instructions 2 Start the engine and let it warm up Adjust the throttle lever to a medium engine speed 3 Stand behind the handlebar and at the front of the engine Fig 4 12 Close the DRIVE BAIL against the handlebar and the tines will revolve IMPORTANT When in front tine t...

Page 17: ...in and air to enter the earth and nourish the lawn roots It is especially beneficial when reseeding areas of grass as lawn growth occurs much more quickly after you use the aerator tines This attachment is used when your equipment is in the rear tine tiller mode the tine hood is securely mounted and the handlebar extends back over the tine hood Simply remove the four tine gangs from the tine shaft...

Page 18: ...hould also have good traction side rails to direct the tiller and a locking device to secure them to the vehicle bed The operator and assistants should wear sturdy footwear with good traction Position the vehicle so the ramp angle is as flat as possible Turn off the vehicle engine and apply its parking brake When going up the ramps stand behind the handlebar and push the equipment ahead of you Whe...

Page 19: ...r ating hours Clean foam element air filter More often in Check paper element air filter dusty dirty areas Check for oil leaks After initial 2 hours Check gear oil level in the transmission Check tines for wear Check air pressure in tires Annually at start of season Lubricate eccentric pivot bushings And at end of tilling season During engine break in period change engine oil after first 2 hours o...

Page 20: ...s can cause some loose ness to occur Tighten both nuts that secure the screws approximately one sixth 1 6th of a turn Check to see if the loose handlebar feeling has been eliminated Alternate between modest tightening and checking for handlebar looseness until the handlebars feel as secure as when new Section 5 Maintenance WARNING Before inspecting cleaning or servicing the machine shut off engine...

Page 21: ...the gasket underneath the cover The gear oil level should be 1 3 4 below the topmost surface of the chassis this surface is machined when level Add or remove gear oil as needed use a dipper or suction Small Top 0ffs use SAE 140 or SAE 85W 140 Use API rating of GL 4 Full Replacement SAE 140 or SAE 85W 140 with an API rating of GL 4 only 4 Replace the top cover securely with the four screws I remove...

Page 22: ...f times a year for wear and general condition If any tines are broken or if you notice that tilling and cultivating do not mix the soil as thoroughly as when the tines were new it s time to inspect and perhaps replace the tine sets Refer to your parts catalog for correct part number information NOTE The tine sets with the thicker tines must be positioned closest to the transmission The hardware se...

Page 23: ...ly by hand then use a spark plug wrench to tighten the plug another 1 4 turn Ignition System Maintenance Your engine is equipped with elec tronic ignition It does not have a condenser or points so there is no need to perform any regular tune up maintenance on this system other than adjusting or replacing the spark plug OFF SEASON STORAGE When your tiller won t be used during the off season prepare...

Page 24: ...tive or incorrectly gapped spark plug 6 Inspect spark plug 7 Carburetor out of adjustment 7 See Engine Service Dealer 8 Tine hood not properly attached 8 Check for proper hood installation 9 Handlebar swung more than half way 9 Swing handlebar back into proper range Engine Runs Poorly 1 Bad spark plug 1 Inspect spark plug 2 Incorrect throttle setting 2 Move throttle to correct setting 3 Dirty air ...

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