3
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
WARNING:
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger
the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this
manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result
in personal injury. When you see this symbol—
heed its warning
.
DANGER:
This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet, and throwing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
General Operation
•
Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be
completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of this machine before operating it. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts.
•
This machine is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to till soil. Do not use it
for any other purpose.
•
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over should
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual and should be trained
and supervised by a parent. Only responsible
individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe
operation should be allowed to use your machine.
•
Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones,
toys and other foreign objects which could be
picked up and thrown by the tiller tines in any
direction which could cause serious personal injury
to the operator or any others allowed in the area.
Plan your tilling pattern to avoid discharge of
material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and
the like. To help avoid tine contact or a thrown
object injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers
at least 75 feet from the tiller attachment while it is in
operation. Stop tiller if anyone enters the area.
•
Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
during operation or while performing an adjustment
or repair to protect eyes from foreign objects that
may be thrown from the machine in any direction.
•
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry
can be caught in movable parts. Never operate a
unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight
(e.g. canvas) shoes.
•
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Keep clear of the tiller tines at all times as the
rotating tines can cause injury.
•
Never operate the tiller without the rear deflector in
its proper place.
•
Disengage the PTO and raise the tiller attachment
when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
•
Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. This machine is not intended for use on
any public roadway.
•
Do not operate while under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.
•
Use tiller attachment in daylight or in good artificial
light only.
•
Never carry passengers.
•
Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
•
Use a slow ground speed when tilling soil for the
first time. Fast speeds may cause you to lose
control and may also damage the machine.
•
Disengage the PTO and raise the tiller attachment
before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always
look down and behind before and while backing up
to avoid a back-over accident.
•
Disengage the PTO and raise the tiller attachment
before making sharp turns. Leaving the tiller
lowered and engaged may adversely affect the
steering and control of the tractor.
•
Use extra caution when making turns, especially in
tight areas or around obstacles. The tiller
attachment extends beyond the back of the tractor
and could strike an adjacent object (e.g. tree, fence,
bystander etc.) which could damage the machine or
cause personal injury.
•
Check overhead clearances carefully before driving
under power lines, wires, bridges, low hanging tree
branches, before entering or exiting buildings, or
any other situation where the operator may be
struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in
serious personal injury.
•
Disengage the PTO and raise the tiller attachment
when not in use.
•
Never leave a running machine unattended. Always
disengage PTO, place transmission in neutral, set