Troy-Bilt Garden Way 12194 Owner's Manual page 4

3.After s triking a foreign o bject, stop the
engine, remove thewire fromthe,spark
plug wire andprevent itfromtouching the
spark p lug, t horoughly inspect the
machine forany damage, andrepair the
damage before r estarting and operating
themachine.
4.Exercise caution t oavoid s lipping o r
falling.
5. If the unit should start to vibrate abnor-
mally, stop the engine,disconnectthe spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug, and check immediatelyfor the
cause.Vibration is generallya warning of
trouble.
6. Stop the engine, disconnect the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug whenever you leavethe operat-
ing position, before unclogging the tines,
or when making any repairs, adjustments
or inspections.
7. Take all possible precautions when
leaving the machine unattended. Stop the
engine. Disconnectspark plug wire and
move it away from the spark plug. Move
Wheel Gear Leverto ENGAGE.
8. Beforecleaning, repairing, or inspect-
ing, stop the engine and make certain all
moving parts have stopped. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and prevent it from
touching the spark plug to prevent acci-
dental starting.
9. Always keepthe tiller tine hood flap
down.
10. Never use the tiller unless proper
guards, plates,or other safetyprotective
devicesare in place.
11. Do not run engine in an enclosed area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide
gas, a deadly poison that is odorless, col-
orless, and tasteless.
12. Keepchildren and pets away.
13. Never operatethe tiller under engine
power if the Wheel Gear Lever is in DIS-
ENGAGE (FREEWHEEL). I n this position,
the wheels will not hold the tiller back
and the revolvingtines could propelthe
tiller rapidly backward, possiblycausing
loss of control. Always move the Wheel
Gear Leverto ENGAGE before starting the
engine or engaging the tines/wheels with
the Forward Clutch or the ReverseClutch.
14. Be aware that the tiller may unexpect-
edly bounce upward or jump backward if
the tines should strike extremely hard
packed soil, frozen ground, or buried
obstacles like large stones, roots, or
stumps. If in doubt about the tilling condi-
tions, always use the following operating
precautions to assist you in maintaining
control of the tiller:
a. Walk behindand to one side of the
tiller, using one handon the han-
dlebars. Relax yourarm, but use a
secure handgrip.
b. Use slower engine speeds.
c. Clear the tilling area of all large
stones,rootsand otherdebris.
d. Avoidusing downwardpressureon
handlebars. If need be, use slight
upwardpressureto keep the tines
from diggingtoo deeply.
e. Beforecontactinghard packedsoil
at the end of a row, reduceengine
speed and lift handlebarsto raise
tines out of the soil.
f.
In an emergency, stop tines and
wheels byreleasing whichever
ClutchLever is engaged. Do not
attemptto restrain the tiller.
15. Do not overload the tiller's capacity by
attempting to till too deeply at too fast a
rate.
16. Never operate the tiller at high trans-
port speeds on slippery surfaces. Look
behind and use care when backing up.
17. Do not operatethe tiller on a slope
that is too steep for safety. When on
slopes, slow down and make sure you
have good footing. Never permit the tiller
to freewheel down slopes.
18. Never allow bystanders near the unit.
19. Only use attachments and accessories
that are approved by Garden Way Inc.
20. Use tiller attachments and accessories
when recommended.
21. Neveroperatethe tiller without good
visibility or light.
22. Neveroperatethe tiller if you aretired, or
under the influenceof alcohol,drugs or
medication.
23. Operatorsshallnot tamper with the
engine-governorsettingson the machine;
the governorcontrols the maximum safe
operatingspeedto protect the engineand all
moving parts from damagecausedby over-
speed. Authorizedserviceshall be sought if
a problemexists.
24. Do not touch engine parts whichmay be
hot from operation. Letparts cool down
sufficiently.
25. Pleaseremember:You can alwaysstop
the tines and wheelsby releasingthe
ForwardClutchLeveror the ReverseClutch
Control (whicheverleveryou haveengaged)
or by moving the Throttle Control Leverto
STOP.
26. To load or unloadthe tiller, seethe
instructionsin Section 4 of this Manual.
27. Useextremecautionwhen reversingor
pulling the machinetowards you.
28. Startthe engine carefullyaccordingto
instructionsand with feet well away from the
tines.
29. Neverpick up or carry a machinewhile
the engine is running.
Maintenance and Storage
1. Keepthe tiller, attachments and acces-
sories in safe working condition.
2. Check all nuts, bolts, and screws at fre-
quent intervals for proper tightness to be
sure the equipment is in safe working con-
dition.
3. Neverstore the tiller withfuel in the fuel
tank insidea building whereignition sources
are presentsuch as hot water and space
heaters,furnaces,clothesdryers, stoves,
electricmotors, etc.). Allow engineto cool
beforestoring in any enclosure.
4. To reducethe chancesof a fire hazard,
keepthe enginefree of grass, leaves,or
excessivegrease.
5. Store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated
area,safely away from any spark- or flame-
producing equipment. Store gasoline in an
approvedcontainer, safely away from the
reachof children.
6. Refer to the storage instructions in the
Maintenancesection of this Manual and
the separate EngineOwner's Manualfor
instructions if the tiller is to be stored for
an extended period.
7. Never perform maintenancewhile the
engine is running or the spark plug wire is
connected, exceptwhen specifically
instructed to do so.
8. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this
outdoors.