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STARTING THE ENGINE
The following steps describe how to start
and stop the engine. Do not attempt to
engage the tines or wheels until you
have read all of the operating instruc-
tions in this Section. Alsoreview
the safety rules in Section1: "Safety"
and the tiller and engine controls
informationin Section 3: "Features and
Controls."
1. Completethe "Pre-Start Checklist" on
the previous page.
2. Put the Wheel Gear Lever (Figure 4-1)
in the ENGAGEposition.
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. Put the EngineThrottle Control Lever
(Figure 4-1) in the "FAST" setting.
6. On engines equipped with a fuel valve,
turn valve to open position as instructed
in the separate engine manual.
7. Choke or prime engine as instructed in
the separate Engine Owner's Manual.
8. For recoil (non-electric) starting
models:
(a) Placeone hand on fuel tankto stabi-
lize unit when you pull the starter
handle.
(b) Usethe recoil starter rope to start
the engine as instructed in the sepa-
rate Engine Owner's Manual. When
the engine starts, gradually move
the choke lever (on engines so
equipped) to the "NO CHOKE",
"CHOKEOFF"or "RUN" position.
(c) Leavethe EngineThrottle Control
Lever in the "FAST"setting.
9. For electric starting models:
(a) Turn the engine ignition key to the
"START" setting and allow the
starter motor to crank the engine for
several seconds. Avoid cranking the
engine longer than 15 seconds at a
time as doing so could damagethe
starter motor. NOTE: Refer to the
Engine Owner's Manualfor detailed
starting instructions.
(b) When the engine starts, releasethe
key and it will return to the "RUN"
setting.
(c) Gradually move choke lever (on
engines so equipped) to "NO
CHOKE","CHOKEOFF"or "RUN"
position.
(d) Leavethe Engine Throttle Control
Lever in the "FAST"setting.
To Start the ElectricStart EngineWith
the Recoil Starter Rope
If necessary,the electric start engine can
be started with the recoil starter rope by
following the steps below:
1. If the battery is not "dead" or
damaged, leave it connected to the tiller
so it will be recharged during engine
operation. Make sure the battery cells are
filled to the UPPERLEVELline with elec-
trolyte.
2. Ifthe battery is "dead" or darnaged,
remove it (refer to "Battery Removal and
Installation" in Section 5) and have it
tested. Beforestarting engine, cover the
terminal on the loose end of the positive
(+) cable with the insulated boot and
secure it in place with electrical tape to
prevent electrical sparks.
3. Put the ignition key in the "RUN"
position and then follow Steps 1-8 of
"Starting the Engine."
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1. To stop the wheels and tines, release
the Forward Clutch Control levers or the
ReverseClutch Control knob (whichever
control is engaged).
2. To stop the engine on the recoil start
model, move the EngineThrottle Control
Lever to the "STOP" position.
3. To stop the engine on an electric start
model, move the ignition key to "OFF".
IMPORTANT:After stopping an electric
start engine, remove the ignition key from
the switch to reduce the possibility of
unauthorized starting of the engine.
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 traditional "standard rotating
tine" tiller with forward rotating tines. It
operates completely differently from CRT
(Counter Rotating Tines) tillers or from
low-cost front tine tillers.
1. Follow the "Pre-Start Checklist" on the
previous page. Be sure that the Wheel
Gear Lever is in the ENGAGEposition.
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 Regula-
tor Lever to the desired depth setting (see
"Tilling Tips & Techniques").
3. Start the engine and allow it to warm
up. When warm, put Engine Throttle
Control Lever in "FAST"speed setting.
Keep away from rotatingtines. Rotating
tines will causeinjury.
4. For forward motion of the wheels and
tines:
(a) Pull one or both of the Forward
Clutch Control Levers up and hold
them against the handlebars. To
stop forward motion of the wheels
and tines, releasethe levers.
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