Operating The Tiller - Troy-Bilt GARDEN WAY 12214-5.5HP Owner's Manual

Section 4: Operation
Starting the Engine
The following steps describe howto start
and stop the engine. Do not attempt to
engage tines or wheels until you have
read ail the operating instructions in
this Section. Also review the safety
rules in Section 1: "Safety" and the
tiller and engine controls information in
Section 3: "Features and Controls."
A
CAUTION
To help prevent serious
personal injury or damage to
equipment:
• Before starting engine, put both
wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position.
Never have the wheels in the
FREEWHEEL position when the
engine is running. When the wheels
are in FREEWHEEL, they do not hold
back the tiller and the tines could
propel the tiller rapidly backward.
• Before starting engine, put Forward
Clutch Bail (all Models) and Reverse
Clutch Control in neutral (disen-
gaged) positions by releasing levers.
• Never run engine indoors or in
enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly
gas.
• Avoid engine muffler and nearby
areas. Temperatures in these areas
may exceed ISO^F.
1. Complete the "Pre-Start Checklisf on
the previous page.
2. Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE
position (see "Wheel Drive Pins" in
Section 3).
3. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
"travel" position (lever all the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
4. Release all controls on the tiller.
5. If engine is equipped with a fuel valve,
turn valve to open position as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner's Manual.
6. Put ignition switch and/or throttle
control lever on engine in "ON," "RUN,"
7. Choke or prime engine as instructed in
the separate Engine Owner's Manual.
8. Place one hand on the fuel tank to
stabilize the unit when you pull the starter
handle. Use the recoil starter rope to start
the engine as instructed in the separate
Engine Owner's Manual. When engine
starts, gradually move choke lever (on
engines so equipped) to "NO CHOKE,"
"CHOKE OFF" or "RUN" position.
9. Use the "FAST" throttle speed setting
when tilling.
A
WARNING
Keep away from rotating tines. Rotating
tines will cause Injury.
Stopping the Engine and Tiller
1. To stop the wheels and tines, release
the Forward Clutch Bail or the Reverse
Clutch Control, whichever control is in
use.
2. To stop the engine, put the Ignition
switch and/or the throttle control lever on
the engine in the "OFF" or "STOP"
position.
OPERATING THE TILLER
The following pages provide guidelines to
using your tiller effectively and safely in
various gardening applications. Be sure
to read "Tilling Tips & Techniques" in this
Section before you actually put the tines
into the soil.
This is a CRT (counter-rotating-tine) tiller.
As the wheels pull forward, the tines
rotate backward. This creates an
"uppercut" tine action which digs deeply,
uprooting soil and weeds. Don't overload
the engine, but dig as deeply as possible
on each pass. On later passes, the
wheels may tend to spin in the soft dirt. If
necessary, help them along by lifting up
slightly on the handlebar (palm facing up).
1. Follow the "Pre-Start Checklist" on the
previous page. Be sure that the wheels
are in the WHEEL DRIVE position.
2. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
"travel" position (lever all the way down)
so that the tines are clear of the ground.
Use this position when practicing with
your tiller or when moving to or from the
garden. When you are ready to begin
tilling, you must move the Depth
Regulator Lever to the desired depth
setting (see "Tilling Tips & Techniques").
Check that the Anti-Reverse Stake swivels
freely back and forth. Remove any clogged
material on or around the stake.
3. Start the engine and allow it to warm
up. When warm, put throttle control in
fast speed setting.
Figure 4-2: Use one hand to guide tiller
when moving forward.
4. For forward motion of wheels and
powerto the tines:
(a) Pull the Forward Clutch Bail up and
hold it against the handlebar. Release
the bail to stop forward motion of
the wheels and power to the tines.
(b) As the tiller moves forward, relax and
let the wheels pull the unit along while
the tines dig. Walk behind and a
little to one side of the tiller. Use a
light but secure grip with one hand
on the handlebars, keeping your arm
loose. See Figure 4-2. Let the tiller
move at its own pace and do not
push down on the handlebars to try
to dig deeper-this takes weight off
the wheels, cuts traction, and causes
the tines to try and propel the tiller.