Section 2: Operating
RTA1558, RTA1566, & RTA1574 Rotary Tillers 311-252M
12/19/18
14
Section 2:
Operating
Operating Checklist
Hazard control and accident prevention are dependent
upon the awareness, concern, prudence, and proper
training involved in the operation, transport, storage, and
maintenance of the Rotary Tiller. Therefore, it is
absolutely essential that no one operates the Rotary
Tiller without first having read, fully understood, and
become totally familiar with the Operator’s Manual. Make
sure the operator has paid particular attention to:
•
Important Safety Information
•
•
•
•
Section 4: Maintenance & Lubrication
Inspections
Perform the following inspections before using your
Rotary tiller with tiller attached to a tractor, power take-off
disengaged and completely stopped .
Operating Checklist
Check
Ref.
Inspect tractor safety equipment to make sure
it is in good working condition.
Tractor
Manual
Check all guards and shields to make certain they are in
good working condition, in place, and secured.
Carefully raise and lower implement to ensure drawbar,
tires, etc. do not contact tiller frame or driveline.
Check driveline. Make sure it is secured at
both ends. Refer to “Driveline Installation”.
Check drive chain tension.
Refer to “Drive Chain Tension”.
Check tiller depth setting.
Refer to “Skid Shoe Adjustment”.
Check driveline slip clutch to make sure disks
will slip. Refer to “Driveline Protection”
Check for worn, bent, broken, loose, and/or
missing tines. Refer to “Tine Replacement”
Grease driveline shaft and all other grease
fittings Refer to “Ordering Replacement Parts”
Check oil level in gearbox. Make sure all plugs
have been replaced when completed.
Refer to “Gearbox Lubrication”.
Check oil level in chaincase. Make sure all
plugs have been replaced when completed.
Refer to “Chaincase Lubrication”.
Check tiller initially and periodically for loose
bolts and pins. Refer to “Torque Values Chart”.
Safety Information
DANGER
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•
Do not engage power take-off while hooking-up or
unhooking the driveline, or while someone is standing near
the driveline. A person’s body and/or clothing can become
•
Keep yourself and all others away from rotating tines and
drive train. Always disengage power take-off and lockout
power source before making adjustments or servicing the
tiller. A person’s body, hair, or clothing can become
entangled in rotating components causing serious bodily
•
Keep away from rotating hex drive shaft located between
gearbox and drive end of tiller. A person can become
•
Make all 3-point hydraulic adjustments from the tractor
seat. Never make hydraulic adjustments while standing
•
Tine impact on objects can throw projectiles resulting in
bodily injury or death. Do not point discharge toward
people, animals, or buildings and keep people and animals
away from tiller during operation.
•
Always disengage power take-off immediately after lifting
tiller above ground level. Never operate tiller in the raised
position. The tiller can discharge objects at high speeds
•
Do not use a power take-off adapter. The adapter will
increase strain on the tractor’s power take-off shaft causing
possible damage to shaft and driveline. It will also defeat
the purpose of the tractor’s power take-off shield.
•
Make certain driveline yokes are securely fastened at each
end. A loose yoke can work free allowing the driveline to
rotate uncontrollably causing implement damage and
bodily injury or death to anyone nearby.
WARNING
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•
Power take-off shaft shield, gearbox shields, and driveline
shields must be installed and in good working condition
while operating tiller to avoid injury or death from
entanglement in a rotating driveline.
•
Be careful when working areas where obstructions can be
hidden. Always mark potential hazards with a visible flag.
Travel slowly through high risk areas and be prepared to
stop immediately should implement make contact with a
•
Do not till across steep inclines that are subject to rollover.
The action of the tines being forced down into the ground
can cause the tractor to roll-over resulting in serious injury