9
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR TILLER
NOTE:
Engine is shipped without oil.
WARNING:
Use the reverse tine drive
when tilling virgin ground, sod or hard soil.
Use the forward tine drive when cultivating
or tilling soft ground.
Before Starting
•
Service engine with oil as instructed in the
separate engine manual packed with your unit.
•
Fill fuel tank with clean, fresh, lead-free, low-lead or
regular grade leaded gasoline.
To Start Engine
WARNING:
Be sure no one is standing in
front of the tiller while the engine is running or
being started.
•
Place the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit)
position.
•
Move choke lever to CHOKE position.
NOTE:
A warm engine may not require choking.
•
Stand at side of tiller. Grasp the starter handle with
your right hand and pull out slowly, until it pulls
slightly harder. Place your left hand on the lower
portion of the upper handle.
•
Pull starter handle rapidly. Do not allow handle to
snap back. Allow it to rewind slowly while keeping a
firm hold on the starter handle.
•
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until engine starts.
•
As engine warms up and begins to operate evenly,
move choke lever gradually to RUN position. If
engine falters, return to choke position, then slowly
move to RUN position.
•
Refer to engine manual for additional engine
information.
NOTE:
After starting engine and prior to using the
tiller, be certain to check the clutch adjustment as
described in “Checking the Clutch Adjustment” section
of Assembly Instructions.
To Stop Engine
•
Move throttle control to the STOP position.
•
Disconnect spark plug wire and ground to prevent
accidentally starting while equipment is
unattended.
NOTE:
After the first ten hours of operation, recheck
the clutch adjustment. Refer to “Checking the Clutch
Adjustment” section of the Assembly Instructions.
WARNING:
When operating the tiller for
the first time, use the depth stake setting that
gives 1 inch of tilling depth (second hole
from the top). See Figure 7.
Tilling depth is controlled by the depth stake which can
be adjusted to five different settings. See Figure 7.
Adjust the side shields as shown in Figure 8, as you
adjust the depth stake. Be certain spark plug wire is
disconnected and grounded against the engine.
•
When using the tiller for the first time, use the
second adjustment hole from the top (1" of tilling
depth). See Figure 7.
•
When breaking up sod and for shallow cultivation,
use the setting which gives 1" of tilling depth
(second hole from the top). Place the side shields in
their lowest position. For further depth, raise the
depth stake and side shields and make one or two
more passes over the area.
•
When tilling loose soil, depth stake may be raised
to its highest position (use bottom adjustment hole)
to give the deepest tilling depth. Raise the side
shields to their highest position.
Figure 7
•
To transport tiller, lower the depth stake (use top
adjustment hole).
•
To adjust the depth stake, remove the clevis pin
and hairpin clip. See Figure 7. Move the depth
stake to the desired setting.
•
To adjust the side shields, remove the front wing
nut and loosen the rear wing nut. See Figure 8.
Use This
Position
First Time
Transport
Position
Clevis
Pin
Hairpin
Clip
