Table Of Contents - Troy-Bilt 12190-3HP Owner's Manual

Dear Owner:
You now own one of the finest rear-tine rototillers available.
Your new tiller allows you to till and cultivate your garden
with ease, and accomplish dozens of other property man-
agement projects as well. Your tiller is famous for its
ruggedness, performance and high-quality engineering. We
know you'll enjoy using it.
Please carefully read this Manual. It tells you how to safely
and easily assemble, operate and maintain your machine.
Three models (#12190 - 3HP; #12191- 5HP; and #12193 -
6.5HP) are covered in this Manual. Where information
applies only to a certain model (or models), specific refer-
ences to that model are made. Otherwise, information
given applies to all three models. Be sure that you and any
other operators carefully follow the recommended safety
practices at all times. Failure to do so could result in
personal injury or property damage.
Of course, if you should ever have any problems or
questions, please contact your local authorized service
dealer or call the Factory (see Page 27 of this manual).
We want to be sure that you are completely satisfied at all
times.
NOTE: Be sure to fill out and return the Warranty Registra-
tion Card that was supplied with this Manual.
See Page 27 for
Customer Service Information.
Safety Alert Symbol
This is a safety alert symbol. It is used in this
manual and on the unit to alert you to
potential hazards. When you see this symbol,
read and obey the message that follows it.
Failure to obey safety messages could result in personal
injury or property damage.
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT INSTITUTE
ANS B71.8- 1996 SAFETY STANDARD
This machine meets voluntary safety standard B71.8
- 1996, which is sponsored by the Outdoor Power
Equipment Institute, Inc., and is published by the
American National Standards Institute.
2

Table of Contents

SECTION 1: SAFETY ...........................................
Safety Decals ....................................................................
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLY .......................................
Attach Handlebar ...............................................................
Move Tiller Off Shipping Platform......................................
Install Forward Clutch Cable ..............................................
Install Reverse Clutch Cable (Models 12191 and 12193)....
Check Level of Transmission Gear Oil................................
Add Motor Oil to Engine.....................................................
Check Hardware for Tightness ...........................................
Check Air Pressure in Tires (on models so equipped) .......
SECTION 3: FEATURES & CONTROLS ........................ 10
Wheel Drive Pins ............................................................... 10
Forward Clutch Bail............................................................ 11
Reverse Clutch Control (Models 12191 and 12193) .......... 11
Depth Regulator Lever ....................................................... 12
Handlebar Height Adjustment ............................................ 12
Anti-Reverse Stake ............................................................ 12
Engine Controls ................................................................. 12
SECTION 4: OPERATION ...................................... 13
Initial Operation ................................................................. 13
Starting and Stopping the Engine ...................................... 13
Operating the Tiller ............................................................ 14
Tilling Tips & Techniques .................................................. 16
Loading and Unloading the Tiller ....................................... 18
SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE .................................. 19
Required Maintenance Schedule........................................ 19
Tiller Lubrication................................................................ 20
Check for Oil Leaks ............................................................ 20
Check Hardware................................................................. 20
Transmission Gear Oil Service ........................................... 20
Tines.................................................................................. 21
Checking and Adjusting Forward Drive Belt Tension.......... 22
Forward Clutch Bail Adjustment......................................... 23
Checking and Adjusting Reverse Drive Belt Tension
(Models 12191 and 12193) ........................................... 23
Engine Oil Service.............................................................. 24
Engine Cleaning ................................................................. 24
Air Cleaner Service............................................................. 24
Spark Plug Service............................................................. 24
Spark Arrester Screen Service ........................................... 24
Throttle Lever Adjustment ................................................. 24
Carburetor/Governor Control ............................................. 24
Off Season Storage............................................................ 24
Troubleshooting................................................................. 25
Specifications .................................................................... 26
Attachments` ..................................................................... 26
Customer Service Information ............................... 27
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
3
5
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
9