EarthQuake CRT series, CRT 5055 Operator's Manual

CRT Rototiller

Operator’s Manual

Includes Model

5055

OM5055

Rev. 2/4/04

© Copyright 2004 Ardisam, Inc.

All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA.

ARDISAM

2

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

ARDISAM

MODEL IDENTIFICATION ........................................... 3

WARRANTY ................................................................. 4

SAFETY RULES ......................................................... 5

Owner's Responsibility .............................................. 5

General ..................................................................... 5

Preparation ............................................................... 5

Operation .................................................................. 6

Maintenance & Storage ............................................ 6

Safety Decals ........................................................... 7

FEATURES .................................................................. 8

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY .................................... 9

Unpack Tiller ............................................................. 9

Attach Handlebar To Tiller.......................................... 9

Install The Drag Bar ................................................ 10

Fill Engine Crankcase ............................................. 10

CONTROLS ............................................................... 11

Drive Safety Control Levers .................................... 11

Reverse Handle ...................................................... 11

ADJUSTMENTS ........................................................ 12

Wheel Lockpins ...................................................... 12

Handlebar Height Adjustment .................................. 12

Depth Regulator Lever ............................................ 13

Belt Tension Adjustment ......................................... 13

OPERATION .............................................................. 14

Pre-Start Inspection ................................................ 14

Start-up .................................................................. 14

Shutting Down ........................................................ 15

Tilling ...................................................................... 15

TIPS .......................................................................... 16

Tilling Tips .............................................................. 16

Cultivating Tips ....................................................... 16

NORMAL CARE ........................................................ 17

Schedule ................................................................ 17

Servicing The Rototiller ...................................... 18-21

STORAGE .................................................................. 22

Prepare For Storage ................................................ 22

TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR ......................... 23

Troubleshooting Guide ........................................ 23-24

Notes ......................................................................25

Parts Listings ................................................... 26-35

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

Record your model number, manufacturer number and
serial number in the space provided for easy reference.
The model and manufacturer numbers can be found on
the unit I.D. plate. Refer to the Engine Owner's Manual
for location of engine serial number.

If you have a service problem requiring special
assistance, contact a local dealer for help.

WARNING

You must read, understand and comply with all
safety and operating instructions in this manual
before attempting to setup and operate your
rototiller.

Failure to comply with all safety and operating
instructions can result in loss of machine control,
serious personal injury to you and/or bystanders,
and risk of equipment and property damage. The
triangle in the text signifies important cautions
or warnings which must be followed.

ROTOTILLER REFERENCE DATA

Model Description/Number

M/N (Manufacturer's Number) S/N (Serial Number)

Dealer Name Date Purchased

ENGINE REFERENCE DATA

Engine Make/Model Engine ID/Serial Number

WARNING

Engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known, in certain quantities, to cause
cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

ARDISAM

WARRANTY

Thank Y ou . . .

for purchasing an Earthquake® counter-rotating-tine rototiller. W e guarantee that this rear tine rototiller
conforms to applicable North American safety standards, and have worked to ensure that it will meet
your exacting standards for usability and durability. With proper care, your rototiller will provide many
years of service.

Please take time to read this manual carefully to learn how to operate and service your rototiller
correctly. Failure to do so could result in personal injury or equipment damage. This manual should be
considered a permanent part of your rototiller. Congratulations on your investment in quality.

ONE YEAR

LIMITED WARRANTY

The Ardisam, Inc., Manufacturing Company warrants this rototiller to be free from defects in material or workmanship.
Conditions of this warranty include:

What is covered under warranty:

For the first year from the date of purchase, Ardisam will furnish 100% parts and labor to correct any defect caused by
faulty material or workmanship. All repairs made under warranty must have prior approval from Ardisam, Inc.
Items subject to normal wear and tear, such as belts, batteries, tines, shear bolts and tires, due to the nature of
their function are not covered under this warranty. Any unit used in a commercial application is covered for a period
of 90 days after purchase. The engine is covered under a separate warranty issued by the engine manufacturer as
stated in the engine manual.

What is not covered under warranty:

This warranty applies only to products which have not been repaired or altered outside our factory. It covers only
defects resulting from normal use, and does not cover defects arising from misuse, alteration, negligence, or accident.
This warranty applies only to the original purchaser, and is not transferrable.

This warranty supersedes all other warranties either expressed or implied and all other obligations or

liabilities on our part. Ardisam, Inc., does not assume, and does not authorize any other person to assume for
us, any liability in connection with the sale of our products. This guarantee is void unless the warranty card is
properly filled out and returned to Ardisam, Inc., Cumberland, Wisconsin, within two weeks of the purchase
date.

4

SAFETY RULES

ARDISAM

OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Safe and effective use of the rototiller is the owner's
responsibility.

1. Read and follow all safety instructions.

2. Maintain the tiller according to directions and

schedule included.

3. Ensure that anyone who uses the tiller is familiar

with all controls and safety precautions.

GENERAL

The Safety Alert symbol shown here is used to
alert you to important safety information that must

be read, fully understood, and followed at all times

when handling, transporting, operating, servicing, or
storing your rototiller unit.

Each safety alert symbol is followed by a "signal word"
that advised you of the relative intensity, or level, of the
hazard the safety alert instructions pertain to.

The following list of signal words is being provided to
help you understand the intensity levels associated with
each signal word used in this manual.

DANGER

The signal word "DANGER" is used when a
serious injury or fatality will result if the safety
instructions that follow this signal word are not
obeyed.

WARNING

The signal word "WARNING" is used when a
serious injury or fatality could result if the safety
instructions that follow this signal word are not
obeyed.

CAUTION

The signal word "CAUTION" is used when
personal injury, or property or equipment damage
could result if the safety instructions that follow
this signal word are not obeyed.

• CAREFULLY READ THIS MANUAL AND
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

• Be familiar with all controls before operating the
tiller. Your tiller is equipped with a safety device that
enables you to stop the wheels and tines quickly in
an emergency. Learn how the drive safety control
lever works and how to control the tiller at all times.

• Never allow children to operate the tiller. Keep small
children away from the area being tilled. Do not
allow adults to operate the tiller without proper
instruction.

The right and left sides of your
rototiller are determined from the
operating position as you face the
direction of forward travel.

PREPARATION

• Dress appropriately when operating the tiller. Always
wear sturdy footwear. Never wear sandals,
sneakers, or open shoes, and never operate the
tiller with bare feet. Do not wear loose clothing that
might get caught in moving parts.

• Carefully inspect the area to be tilled, and remove
all foreign objects. Do not till above underground
water lines, gas lines, electric cables, or pipes. Do
not operate the tiller in soil with large rocks and
foreign objects which can damage the equipment.

• Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting the engine.

• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
a. Use an approved fuel container.

b. Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.
c. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill

fuel tank indoors.

d. Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up

spilled fuel before restarting.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engine is running.

Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You
must add engine oil before starting engine.

5

ARDISAM

SAFETY RULES

OPERATION

• Never operate the tiller without guards, covers, and
hoods in place.

• Never start the engine or operate the tiller with the
wheels in the free-wheel position. Make sure the
wheel lockpins are engaged through the wheel hubs
and wheel axle. Disengage wheel lockpins to permit
free-wheeling only when engine is stopped.

• Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from rotating
parts. Keep clear of tiller tines at all times.

• Tines and wheels rotate when tiller is engaged in

forward or reverse-- in forward, tines and wheels

rotate when the drive safety control levers are pulled

down; in reverse, wheels and tines rotate when the

reverse handle is pulled back towards the operator.

Releasing the drive safety control levers to neutral

stops the wheels and tines.

• Be extremely cautious when operating in reverse.

Take extra care to avoid slipping or falling, and to
keep feet clear of tines.

• Exercise extreme caution when operating on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for
hidden hazards or traffic.

• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
remove the wire from the spark plug, thoroughly
inspect the tiller for any damage, and repair the
damage before restarting and operating the tiller.

• If vegetation clogs the tines, raise the handlebars to

elevate the tines, and run the tiller in reverse. If this

does not clean clogged vegetation from the tines,

STOP THE ENGINE AND DISCONNECT THE
SPARK PLUG WIRE before removing vegetation

by hand.

• Engine muffler will be hot from operation. Do not
touch it with bare skin or a severe burn may result.

• If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop
the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

• Never allow bystanders near the unit.

• Use only attachments and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of the tiller.

• Never operate the tiller without good visibility or
light.

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

• Take all possible precautions when leaving the
machine unattended. Disengage all controls levers,
stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop,
and make certain guards and shields are in place.

• When leaving the operating position for any reason:

- shut off the engine.

- wait for all moving parts to stop.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in
safe working condition.

• Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, and other
bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be
sure the equipment is in safe working condition.

• To prevent accidental starting, always disconnect
and secure the spark plug wire from the spark plug
before performing tiller maintenance.

• Never run the engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are
deadly.

• Always allow muffler to cool before filling fuel tank.

• Never store equipment with gasoline in the tank
inside a closed building where fumes may reach an
open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any building.

• Always refer to the operator's guide instructions for
important details if the tiller is to be stored for an
extended period.

• Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are
dangerous.

• Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting
to till too deep at too fast a rate.

• Never operate the machine at high transport speeds
on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care
when backing.

6

ARDISAM

SAFETY RULES

SAFETY DECALS

This rototiller unit has been designed and manufactured to provide you with the safety and reliability you would
expect from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing.

Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide you with the necessary basic
knowledge to operated this equipment safely and effectively, we have placed several safety labels on the tiller to
remind you of this important information while you are operating the unit.

These important safety labels are illustrated below, and are shown here to help familiarize you with the location and
content of the safety messages you will see as you perform normal tilling operations. Please review these labels
now, and if you have any questions regarding their meaning or how to comply with these instructions, reread the
complete safety instruction text on the preceding pages, or contact your local dealer.

Should any of these labels become unreadable because of being worn, faded, or otherwise damaged during the
use of your tiller, please use the part number information provided to order a replacement label from your local
authorized dealer.

These labels are easily applied, and will act as a constant visual reminder to you, and others who may use the
equipment, to follow the safety instructions necessary for safe, effective operation of your rototiller.

Part No. LBL821B

WARNING INSTRUCTIONS

Hood Decal

Part No. LBL516C

WARNING

Belt Cover Decal

Part No. LBLCRTA

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Hood Decal

Part No. LBL516E

TINES DANGER

Hood Flap Decal

Part No. LBL516F

FREE HAND HERE

Bumper Guard Decal

7

ARDISAM

R

R

ALL CRT MODELS

reverse cable

FEATURES

drive safety control lever

forward cable

recoil start

drag bar

detent pin

belt guard

wheel lockpin

serial number plate

8

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY

ARDISAM

Your rototiller comes fully assembled except for a few
parts. The following instructions will help you unpack
your tiller and assemble and adjust your tiller’s depth
regulator lever, cable tension and handlebar height. You
will need 2- 9/16” wrenches.

The right and left sides of your
rototiller are determined from
the operating position as you
face the direction of forward
travel.

UNPACK TILLER

1. Open top of carton and remove handlebar assembly.

CAUTION

Do not try to lift the rototiller from the carton.

2. Find parts packet. Parts packet contains:

5- 3/8-16 x 1” hex head bolts
5- 3/8-16 locknuts
1- 5/16-18 x 3/4” hex head bolt
1- 5/16-18 locknut
1- detent pin

3. Cut open end of carton and remove machine by:

a. Removing lockpins on wheels.
b. Roll tiller from carton.

ATTACH HANDLEBAR TO TILLER

1. Place handlebar stems on outside of transmission
cover and align lower holes.

2. Insert one 3/8”-16 x 1” bolt for each side in lower
holes.

3. Start 3/8”-16 nuts on each bolt.

4. Insert one 3/8”-16 x 1” bolt for each side in upper
holes at desired handlebar height.

5. Tighten all 3/8”-16 nuts.

lock nuts

height

height
adjustment
bolts

adjustment
bolts

height
adjustment
holes

transmission
cover

9

ARDISAM

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY

INSTALL THE DRAG BAR

1. Install the depth regulator lever into the top of the
depth regulator bracket with handle facing rearward.

2. Insert detent pin through depth regulator bracket and
top hole of depth regulator lever--tines should clear
the ground.

NOTE: The rototiller is now in the transport position.

3. Insert one 3/8”-16 x 1” bolt through rear of drag bar
and lower hole of depth regulator lever. Place nut on
end of bolt.

4. Align front hole in drag bar with hole in drag bar
linkage and insert one 5/16”-18 x 3/4” bolt.

5. Place nut on bolt and tighten. Back off nuts so drag
bar can move freely when depth regulator lever is
raised or lowered.

depth regulator

lever

FRONT

REAR

FILL ENGINE CRANKCASE

Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You
must add engine oil before starting engine.

1. Add oil according to engine manual. Do not overfill.
Use a clean, high quality detergent oil. Container
must be marked A.P.I. Service SF - SJ. Use no
special additives with recommended oils. Do not
mix oil with gasoline. Oil level must be full. Check
the oil level by removing oil fill plug. Oil level should
be up to the bottom of the fill plug opening.

2. Always check oil level before starting engine. Refer
to engine manual for capacity and type of oil to use.

CAUTION

Do not add engine oil into gear case dipstick hole.

drag bar linkage

drag bar

depth regulator lever

DRAG BAR PROPERLY INSTALLED

detent pin hole

dipstick

gear case

dipstick hole

bottom hole of

NO ENGINE OIL!

10

CONTROLS

ARDISAM

DRIVE SAFETY CONTROL LEVERS

Engage wheels and tines into forward, releasing returns
machine to neutral.

Pulling down on drive safety control levers engage the
wheels and tines. Releasing drive safety control levers
disengages the wheels and brings the tiller to a
complete stop. It is now in the neutral position.

Drive Safety Control
Levers Engaged

CAUTION

This information is provided here only to introduce
the controls. DO NOT START THE ENGINE AT THIS
TIME. Starting and operating instructions are
given on page 12. Please read this section and all
operating and safety instructions before starting
your tiller.

REVERSE HANDLE

Engages wheels and tines in reverse.

Pulling reverse handle back towards operator reverses
tiller.

reverse handle

WARNlNG

Extreme caution should be used when
operating rototiller in the reverse direction.

WARNlNG

ENGINE SHOULD BE OFF BEFORE ADJUSTING
ANY CONTROLS.

CAUTION

v

As a safety precaution, the drive safety control
levers will not lock in the forward position.

v

To stop the wheels and tines at any time
release the drive safety control levers.

CAUTION

v

As a safety precaution, the reverse handle will
not lock in reverse.

v

To stop the wheels and tines at any time,
release the reverse handle.

v

Do not operate both the reverse handle and
drive safety control levers at the same time.

11