Cub Cadet 454 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

Rear Tine Tiller

Model 454

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

Warning:

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

CUB CADET LLC P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

FORM NO.

770-10101E.fm

(12/2003)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices 3
Loose Parts 5
Assembling Your Tiller 6
Know Your Tiller 8
Operating Your Tiller 9
Making Adjustments 10

Content Page

Servicing Your Tiller 11
Maintaining Your Tiller 11
Off Season Storage 12
Trouble Shooting Guide 13
Illustrated Parts 14
Warranty 20

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new tiller. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, p lease locate the model plate on th e
equipment and copy the information from it in the space pr ovided below. A sample model plate is
also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position an d
looking down at the center of the rear tine cover. This information will be necessary to use the
manufacturer’s web site and/or to obtain help from t he Customer Dea ler Referral Line o r an
authorized service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

CUB CADET LLC

www.cubcadet.com

DEALER LOCATOR PHONE NUMBER:

P. O. BOX
CLEVELAND, OH 44136

361131

877-282-8684

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, opera tion or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit cubcadet.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support butt on and you
will get the three options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is
immediately available.

The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!

Engine

Manual

The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!

To reach the Customer Dealer Referral Line, please call 1-877-282-8684.

The engine manufactur er is responsible for all engine-related issu es with regards to
performance, power-rating, specifica tions, warranty and service. Please re fer to the engine
manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more
information.

2

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could

endanger the personal safety and/or property of your self and others. Read and follow all instructions in
this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failur e to comply with these instructions may
result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle

components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessne ss or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and thro wing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe oper ation in this

TRAINING

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regu lar reference a nd for
ordering replacement parts.

2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper
operation. Know how to stop the machine and
disengage them quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4. Never allow adults to operate this m achine without
proper instruction.

5. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and childre n at
least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

PREPARATION

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, and
other foreign objects which could be tripped over
and cause personal injury.

2. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes a nd close­fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes or
jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never
operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.

3. Disengage clutch levers and shift (if provided) into
neutral (N) before starting the engine.

4. Never leave this machine unattended with the
engine running.

5. Never attempt to make any adjustments while
engine is running, except where specifically
recommended in the operator’s manual.

6. To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline containe r.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and

other sources of ignition.
c. Never fuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add while t he

engine is hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes

before refueling.
f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more

than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to

provide space for fuel expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine

and equipment. Move machine to another

area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the

engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel container

inside where there is an open flame, spark,

or pilot light (e.g. furnace, water heater,

space heater, clothes dryer, etc.)
j. To reduce a fire hazard, keep machine free

of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up.

Clean up oil fuel spillage and remove any fuel

soaked debris.
k. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes

before storing.

OPERATION

1. Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts.
Contact with the rotating parts can amputate
fingers, hands, and feet.

2. Do not operate machine while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.

3. Never operate this machine without good visibility
or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a
firm hold on the handles.

3

4. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and childre n at
least 75 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop the machine if anyone enters the
area.

5. Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The tines
may catch in the ground and propel the tiller
forward. If this occurs, let go of the handlebars and
do not restrain the machine.

6. Exercise extreme caution when operating on or
crossing gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hi dden
hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.

7. Never operate the machine at high transport
speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.

8. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

9. Look down, behind, and use care when in reverse
or pulling machine towards you.

10. Start the engine according to the instructio ns found
in this manual and keep feet well away from the
tines at all times.

11. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any
damage. Repair the damage befor e starting an d
operating.

12. Disengage all clutch levers and stop engine before
you leave the operating position (behind the
handles). Wait until the tines come to a complete
stop before unclogging the tines, making any
adjustments, or inspections.

13. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

14. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.

15. Use caution when tilling near fences, buildings and
underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause
property damage or personal injury.

16. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to
till soil to deep at to fast of a rate.

17. If the machine should start making an unusual
noise or vibration, stop the engine, disconnect the
spark plug wire and ground it against the engine.

Inspect thoroughly for damage. Re pair any damage
before starting and operating.

18. Keep all shields, guards and safety devices in place
and operating properly.

19. Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is
running.

20. Use only attachments and accessories approved
by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in
personal injury.

21. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone [phone]
for the name of your nearest dealer.

Maintenance And Storage

1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.

2. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at
frequent intervals to keep the mach ine in safe
working condition. Also, visually inspect machine
for any damage.

3. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, sto p the
engine and make certain the tines a nd all moving
parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire
and ground it against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.

4. Do not change the engine governor settings or
over-speed the engine. The gover nor controls t he
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

5. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.

6. Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,
transporting, and storage of this machine.

7. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc.

8. Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper
instructions on off-season storage.

9. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoor s.

10. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for
gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read,

understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

NOTE: Not all safety labels shown may apply to your tiller.

WARNING

Hot surfaces can

cause severe burns.

Do not touch

muffler or

adjacent areas.

S30647

4

WARNING

KEEP AWAY FROM

ROTATING TINES.
ROTATING TINES

WILL CAUSE INJURY.

DEPTH
STAKE

TRANSPORT

1"
3"
5"
7"

WARNING

TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY

C

1. READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL.

2. KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTIONS

U

OF ALL CONTROLS.

T

3. KEEP ALL SAFETY DEVICES AND
SHIELDS IN PLACE AND WORKING.

4. NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN OR
UNINSTRUCTED ADULTS TO

O

OPERATE TILLER.

5. SHUT OFF ENGINE BEFORE

U

UNCLOGGING TINES OR MAKING
REPAIRS.

T

6. KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY FROM
MACHINE.

7. KEEP AWAY FROM ROTATING
PARTS.

8. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN
REVERSING OR PULLING THE
MACHINE TOWARDS YOU.

S32146

SECTION 2: LOOSE PARTS

Handle

Assembly

Control

Rod

Depth

Stake

Assembly

NOTE: Cable tie not shown.

5

SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR TILLER

IMPORTANT:

or OIL. After assembly, see separate engine manual for
proper fuel and engine oil recommendations.

This unit is shipped WITHOUT GASOLINE

NOTE: Left and right is determined from the

operator’s position, standing behind the tiller.

Tools Required For Assembly

Adjustable Wrenches
Pair of Pliers
Screw Driver

To Remove Unit From Carton

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut
tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open
carton.

• Remove loose parts included with unit (i.e.,
operator’s manual, etc.).

• Cut corners and lay carton down flat.

• Remove packing material.

• Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.

• Extend control cable and lay on the floor. Be careful
not to bend or kink control cable.

• Insert clevis pin through the tine shield and the
second hole from top of the depth stake. Secure
with hairpin clip.

• Insert hex bolt into the top hole of the depth stake
assembly. Place flat washer on hex bolt and thread
“T” knob onto the hex bolt. See F igure 1. Tighten
securely.

• Tip the tiller back down so it rests on the depth
stake (transport position).

Attaching The Handle Assembly

Remove

Handle

Ass’y

Handle
Bracket

Attaching Depth Stake Assembly

• Tip the tiller forward so it rests on front bumper.

• Raise the tine shield hinge flap assem bly. Remove
"T" knob, flat washer and hex bolt from depth stake.
Insert the depth stake assembly in front of spacer
(under the tine shield) and up through the tin e
shield assembly as shown in Figure 1.

T-Knob Hex Bolt

T-Knob

Hex Bolt

Washer

Clevis Pin

Hairpin Clip

Figure 1

Washer

Depth
StakeStake

Depth Stake

Figure 2

• Remove top two bolts and flange lock nuts from
handle mounting brackets as shown in Figure 2. Do
not remove the bottom bolt and nut.

• Place handle assembly in position between the
handle mounting brackets. See Figure 2.

• Line up holes in handle with holes in handle
mounting brackets. Secure with hardware removed
in step 1.

Attaching The Clutch Cable

Attach the clutch cable to the handle as follows (be
careful not to kink the cable).

• Remove threaded eyebolt and nut from the end of
the cable.

• Route the clutch cable to the right side of the
handle mounting brackets and underneath the
handle.

6