Operatingthe Tiller - Troy-Bilt 12208 Owner's Manual

Section 4: Operation
Starting the Engine
The following steps describe how to start
and stop the engine. Do not attempt to
engagethe tines or wheels until you
have read all of the operatinginstruc-
tions in this Section. Also review
the safety rules in Section1: "Safety"
and the tiller and engine controls
informationin Section3: "Features and
Controls."
To help prevent serious
personal injury or damage to
equipment:
*Before starting engine, put both
wheels in the WHEELDRIVE position.
Never have the wheels in the
FREEWHEEL position when the
engine is running. When the wheels
are in FREEWHEEL, t hey do not hold
back the tiller and the tines could
propel the tiller rapidly forward or
backward.
• Before starting engine, put Forward
Clutch Bail (all Models) and Reverse
Clutch Control (Models 12200/12210
only) in neutral (disengaged)
positionsby releasing levers.
• Never ruff 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 150OF.
1. Complete the "Pre-Start Checklist" on
the previouspage.
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. Releaseall controls on the tiller.
5. If engine is equipped with a fuel valve,
turn valve to open positionas instructed
in the separate Engine Owner's Manual,
6. Put ignition switch and!or throttle
control lever on engine in "ON", "RUN",
"FAST" or "START" position as instructed
in the separate Engine Owner's Manual.
7. Choke or prime engine as instructed in
the separate Engine Owner's Manual,
8. Placeone 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",
"CHOKEOFF"or "RUN" position,
9. Use the "FAST" throttle speed setting
when tilling.
Keep away from rotatingtines. Rotating
tines will cause injury.
Stoppingthe Engine and Tiller
1. To stop the wheels and fines, release
the Forward Clutch Bail or the Reverse
Clutch Control (on Models 12209/12210)
- 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.
OPERATINGTHE 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 traditional "standard-rotating--
tine" (SRT) tiller with forward rotating
tines. It operates completely differently
from "counter-rotating-tine" (CRT) tillers
or from front-tine tillers.
1. Followthe "Pre-Start Checklist" onthe
previouspage. Be sure that the wheels
are in the WHEEL DRIVEposition.
2. Put the Depth Regulator Lever in the
"travel" position (lever ail 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"),
3. Start the engine and allow it to warm
up. When warm, put throttle control in
fast speed setting,
Figure4-2: Use one hand to guide tiller
whenmoving forward.
4. For forward motion of the wheels and
tines:
(a) Pull the Forward Clutch Bail up and
hold it against the handlebar. Release
the bail to step forward motion of the
wheels and 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, but keepyour arm loose.
SeeFigure 4-2. Let the tiller move
aheadat its own paceand do not push
down on the handlebars to try and
force the tiller to dig deeper- this
takesweight off the wheels, reduces
traction, and causes the tines to try
and propelthe tiller.
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