Troy-Bilt 12208 Owner's Manual page 15

Section 4: Operation
Do not pushdown on the handlebarsto
try to make the tiller till more deeply.
This preventsthe wheels from holding
the tiller backand can allow the tines
to rapidly propelthe tiller forward,
which could result in loss of control,
propertydamage, or personalinjury.
5. For reverse motion of the wheels and
tines (Models 12209/12210 only):
(a) Look behind and exercise caution
when operating in reverse. Do not till
while in reverse.
(b) Stop all forward motion before
reversing. Lift the handlebarswith one
hand until the tines are off the ground
and then pull the ReverseClutch
Control knob out to engage reverse
motion (see Figure 4-3). To stop
reverse motion, let go of the Reverse
Clutch Control knob.
NOTE:To move the Models 12208/12217
in reverse for short distances, use the
following procedure:
(a) Releasethe Forward Clutch Bail.
(b) Tilt the handlebar slightly upward until
the tines are out of the soil.
(c) Swing the handlebar to the left so the
right wheel takes a "step" backward.
Next move the handlebar to the right so
the left wheel takes a "step" backward.
(d) Repeatto "walk" the tiller rearward, if
longer distances need to be covered in
reverse, shut off the engine, then place
the two wheels in FREEWHEEL,
6. To Turn the Tiller Around:
(a) Practice turning the tiller in a level,
open area. Be very careful to keep
your feet and legs away from the tines.
(b) To make a turn, lift the handlebars
until the engine and tines are balanced
over the wheels (Figure4-4). The
tines must be out of the ground while
turning the tiller.
Figure 4-3: Raise tines offgroundand look
behind when moving in reverse. (Models
12209 and 12210 havepowered reverse.
Models 12208 and 12217 can be "fish-
tailed" backward manually for a short
distance, or rolled backward when wheels
are in FREEWHEEL.)
(c) With the tiller balanced, push sideways
on the handlebar to move the tiller in
the direction of the turn (Figure 4-5).
After completing the turn, slowly lower
the tines into the soil to resume tilling.
Stopping the Tiller and Engine
1. To stop the wheels and tines, release
the Forward Clutch Bail or the Reverse
Clutch Control (on Models 12209/1221O)
-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.
Before filling, contact yourtelephoneor
utilities company and inquire if under-
ground equipment or lines are used in
your area. Their representative will be
glad 1o answer your questions and tell
you it any of their equipment or lines
are buried underground on your
property.
Turning the Tiller Around
Figure 4-4: Tobegin turn, lift handlebars
until engine and tines are balanced over
wheels. Be sure tines are out of ground,
Figure 4-5: Withtiller balanced over
wheels (and tines out of the ground),
push handlebarssideways to turn tiller.
15