6
24. Never operate this equipment if
you are fatigued, or under the influ-
ence of alcohol, drugs or medicine.
25. Operators shall not tamper with
the engine-governor settings; the
governor controls the maximum
safe operating speed and protects
the engine and all moving parts
from damage caused by
overspeed. Authorized service
shall be sought if a problem exists.
26. Do not touch engine parts that
may be hot from operation
(muffler, fins, etc.). Be certain all
parts have cooled down before
inspecting, cleaning or repairing.
27. Remember—to stop tines and
wheels, let go of the Drive Bail.
Do not try to restrain the tiller. Let
go of the handlebar if necessary.
28. Use extreme caution when moving
backward or pulling unit toward you.
29. Start the engine carefully
according to instructions and with
feet well away from the tines.
30 Never pick up or carry equipment
while the engine is operating.
Section 1: Safety
1. Never perform maintenance when
engine is running or spark plug wire is
connected except when specifically
directed to do so.
2. Keep tiller, attachments and
accessories in safe working condition.
3. Check all nuts, bolts and screws fre-
quently for proper tightness. Always
verify the equipment is in safe working
condition.
4. Never store the machine with fuel in
the fuel tank inside a building where
fumes may reach an open flame or
spark, or where ignition sources are
present (such as hot water and space
heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, etc.).
5. Let the engine cool down before
storing it in an enclosure.
6. To reduce fire hazard possibilities, keep
the engine free of grass, leaves or
grease.
7. Store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated
area, safely away from any spark- or
flame-producing equipment. Store
gasoline in an approved container,
safely out of the reach of children.
8. Refer to the Maintenance Section in
this Manual for storage information if
your equipment is to be stored for an
extended period.
9. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do
this outdoors.
10. Follow manufacturer’s recommenda-
tions for safe loading, unloading,
transport and machine storage.
Decals
For your personal safety and the safety of
others, safety message decals have been affixed to your unit.
Keep them clean and legible . Contact your local service
dealer or the factory for replacements if any decals are
damaged or missing. Refer to the separate parts catalog for
decal locations, part numbers, and ordering instructions.
The safety and operational decals on your equipment are
shown below (not actual size).
Maintenance and Storage
191
1359.A
(1/98)
WARNING
1911362.B (3/98)
To Avoid Serious Injury:
• Read the Operator’s Manual.
• Know the location and functions
of all controls.
• Keep all safety devices and
shields in place and working.
• Keep away from rotating parts.
• Never allow children or uninstructed
adults to operate machine.
• Shut off engine and disconnect spark
plug wire before manually unclogging
tines or making repairs.
• 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
installed.
PLACE FREE HAND
HERE
WHEN MANUALLY
STARTING ENGINE.
1915810 (12/97)
WARNING
Keep away from
rotating tines.
Rotating tines will
cause injury.
191
1361.A
(1/98)
Decal located on front plate of handlebar.
Decal located on top
of handlebar– left side.
Decal located on bottom
of handlebar and on
hood flap.
Decal located on
fuel tank.
Decal located on
handlebar locking lever.
WARNING
Tines could propel tiller backwards
when rear-tine tilling!
Contact with tines will cause injury.
To avoid injury:
Let go of control lever.
Stand to left rear side of handlebar
when first setting down tines onto
sod or hard ground.
Follow these safe operating procedures before starting the engine:
1. When in rear-tine mode, check that the wheels are properly
engaged (NOT in Freewheel). When properly engaged, wheels
will not roll more than 10 inches before locking up.
2. Check that flap on tine hood is in place, freely hanging down and
trailing behind tiller (see illustration at right).
3. Check that tines are properly installed so that curved cutting
edges will enter the soil first.
4. Check the engine for fuel and oil. Check the tiller's safety items.
Curved Cutting Edge
Freely
Trailing
Flap
TILLING/CULTIVATING INSTRUCTIONS
See your Owner's Manual for complete operating and safety instructions before operating this machine; the following are just some key
reminders. (A replacement manual is available from your dealer or at the factory.)
1. For front-tine cultivating, remove the tine hood. Loosen
the Handlebar Locking Lever and swing the handlebar
around over the engine. Swing only toward the muffler
cage side of engine. Rotating the handlebar in the wrong
direction will damage the safety electrical interlock switch.
Tighten the locking lever.
2. For rear-tine tilling, attach the tine hood. Loosen the
Handlebar Locking Lever and swing the handlebars to the
rear position over the hood. Swing only toward the muffler
cage side of engine. Tighten the locking lever.
3. Squeeze the Drive Bail lever to operate. Release this
lever at any time to immediately stop the tiller.
4. For rear-tine mode, walk to one side (the left is easiest);
lift slightly on the handlebar for better wheel traction.
Wheels are automatically engaged.
5. For front-tine mode, walk right behind the handlebar;
wheels are automatically in Freewheel.
6. Use front-tine mode to roll machine across lawns or
driveways.
IMPORTANT:
Check that safety interlock switch is clean and free of debris at all times. See "Maintenance" Section in
Owner's Manual.
1911507.A (5/98)
Decal located on top of tine hood.