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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
DANGER
DO NOT START YOUR TILLER UNTIL YOU HAVE READ AND
UNDERSTAND THIS MANUAL AND THE SECTIONS IN THIS
MANUAL COVERING SAFETY AND OPERATION.
ALWAYS PERFORM THE PRE-START INSPECTION CHECKLIST
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE.
PRACTICE OPERATING THE CONTROLS AND TILLER WITH
TINES OUT OF GROUND BEFORE BEGINNING TO TILL. IT
IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THE TILLER
PROPERLY: KEEP CONTROL AT ALL TIMES, STOP THE TINE
FROM TURNING, AND STOP THE ENGINE IF NECESSARY. IF
YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THESE THINGS, READ THE
CONTROLS AND SAFETY SECTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING.
ALWAYS MAINTAIN CONTROL OF YOUR TILLER. ONLY
OPERATE TILLER IN SOIL CONDITIONS THAT ARE
CONDUCIVE TO MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE TILLER.
DO NOT OPERATE TILLER IN CONDITIONS THAT CONTAIN
ROCKS, FOREIGN OBJECTS, OR ANY OTHER MATERIAL THAT
IS NOT SOIL. IF YOUR TILLER BUMPS, JERKS, OR LURCHES,
LET GO OF THE HANDLEBARS AND THE DRIVE CONTROL
LEVER IMMEDIATELY SO THAT THE TINES STOP TURNING.
CAUTION MUST BE TAKEN WHEN SELECTING TILLING
DEPTH. LOSS OF CONTROL COULD RESULT IF YOU ATTEMPT
TO TILL IN CERTAIN SOIL CONDITIONS WITH THE DRAG
STAKE SET IN TOO HIGH OF A POSITION.
STOP THE ENGINE AND REMOVE SPARK PLUG WIRE
BEFORE REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE TINES BY HAND
OR ANY OTHER METHOD.
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.
CAUTION
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 OFF OR STOP POSITION, OR TURN THE
ON/OFF SWITCH TO OFF.
ALWAYS RELEASE DRIVE SAFETY CONTROL LEVER TO
NEUTRAL POSITION BEFORE ADJUSTING THE DEPTH OF
THE DRAG STAKE.
ENGINE IS SHIPPED FROM FACTOR WITHOUT OIL. YOU
MUST ADD ENGINE OIL BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.
PRE-START INSPECTION
1. Make sure all safety guards are in place and all nuts and
bolts are secure.
2. Check oil level in engine crankcase. See your engine
manual for procedure and specifications.
3. Inspect air cleaner for cleanliness. See your engine manual
for procedure.
4. Check the fuel supply. Fill the fuel tank no closer than 1
inch from top of tank to provide space for expansion. See
your engine manual for fuel recommendations.
5. Be sure spark plug wire is attached and spark plug is
tightened securely.
6. Check drag stake position.
7. Examine underneath and around engine for signs of oil or
fuel leaks.
8. Inspect fuel hoses for tightness and fuel seepage.
9. Look for signs of engine damage.
10. Remove excessive debris from muffler area and recoil
starter.
START-UP
•
The controls required to start and run the rototiller are
located on the engine.
•
The throttle speed control is located above the pull-start
recoil and is indicated by a rabbit for FAST and a turtle for
SLOW.
•
The choke lever is located above the air cleaner cover. The
ON/ OFF switch is located on the side of the blower hous-
ing closest to the recoil pull handle.
•
Additional engine operation and related precautions and
procedures can be found in the engine manufacturer’s
manual that accompanies each tiller.
COLD STARTS
1. Turn the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.
2. Move choke lever to FULL CHOKE position.
3. Move throttle lever to half way between the SLOW posi-
tion and the FAST position.
4. Pull starting rope out slowly one time and allow to return
normally.
5. Pull starting rope out rapidly, and allow rope to return
normally. Repeat until engine starts.
6. When engine starts, gradually move choke lever to run
position and increase throttle speed to the FAST position
for tilling.
RESTARTING A WARM ENGINE
Restarting an engine that is already warm from previous run-
ning does not normally require use of the choke.
1. Turn the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.
2. Move throttle lever to half way between SLOW and FAST.
3. Pull starting rope out rapidly until engine starts. Allow
rope to return normally. Repeat until engine starts.
4. Adjust throttle speed to the FAST position for tilling.
OPERATING SPEED
For normal tilling, set the throttle lever to FAST.
SHUTTING DOWN
To stop the engine at any time, turn the ON/OFF switch to the
OFF position. To stop tines at any time, release the drive safety
control lever to the neutral position.
TILLING
1. Adjust the drag stake to desired tilling depth.
NOTE: Raise drag stake up one hole at a time, testing tiller op-
eration after each raise. Raising drag stake too high can result
in loss of control of tiller!
2. Move the throttle control to FAST.
3. Place the tiller in motion by pushing down on the drive
safety control lever. This will engage the tines.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
Your rototiller has been designed and produced by the indus-
try’s leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment to
provide you with years of reliable operation.
Please read the maintenance schedule in this manual for the
tiller, and the maintenance schedule and recommendations in
the accompanying engine manual. Observe these recommen-
dations to extend the life of your product.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Maintenance
Operation
Page
Before
Each Use
10
hours
50
hours
Check belt tension
22
X
Change drive belt
22-23
X
Clean tine axle shaft
& lubricate parts
24
2
EM = See engine manual
1 Change oil after first 5-8 hours of use, then after every 50 hours.
Change oil every 25 hours when operating under heavy load or in high
temperatures.
2 Clean tine axle shaft and lubricate each season or every 10 hours,
whichever comes first.
Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and
trouble-free operation. Keeping your tiller in top running
condition will prolong its life, and help you obtain optimum
performance. It will also help reduce air pollution. To help
you properly care for your engine, the following pages include
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and
simple maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other
service tasks that are more difficult, or require special tools, are
best handled by professionals and are normally performed by
a technician or other qualified mechanic.
Maintenance, replacement or repair of the emissions control
devices and systems may be performed by any non-road
engine repair establishment or individuals. However, items
must be serviced by a service center to obtain “no charge”
emissions control warranty service. View all Repair Centers in
your area by using our location finder:
www.GetEarthquake.com/Locations/ServiceCenter
The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating condi-
tions. If you operate your tiller under unusual conditions, such
as sustained high-load or high-temperature operation, or use
in unusually wet or dusty conditions, consult your servicing
dealer for recommendations applicable to your individual
needs and use.
