Husqvarna RTT900 96093000901 User Manual

RTT900

Owner's Manual / 96093000901 / 2009-04

SAFETY RULES

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Ro ta ry Tillers

TRAINING

• Read the Manual care ful ly. Be thor ough ly fa mil iar with
the controls and the proper use of the equip ment.
Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls
quickly.

• Never allow children to operate the equipment. Never
allow adults to op er ate the equipment without proper
instruction.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, par­ tic u lar ly small children, and pets.

PREPARATION

• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used and remove all foreign objects.

• Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting the engine (mo tor).

• Do not operate the equipment with out wearing ad e ­quate outer gar ments. Wear footwear that will im prove
footing on slippery surfaces.

• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.

• Use an approved fuel container.

• Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.

• Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill fuel
tank indoors.

• Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled
fuel before restarting.

• Use extension cords and receptacles as specified by
the manufacturer for all units with electric drive motors
or electric starting motors.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engine (motor) is running (except where specifically
rec om mend ed by manufacturer).

OPERATION

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.

• Exercise extreme caution when op er at ing on or cross­ ing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden
hazards or traffic. Do not carry pas sen gers.

• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine (motor),
remove the wire from the spark plug, thoroughly in spect
the tiller for any damage, and repair the damage before
restarting and op er at ing the tiller.

• Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

• If the unit should start to vibrate ab nor mal ly, stop the
engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause.
Vi bra tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Stop the engine (motor) when leaving the operating
position.

• Take all possible precautions when leav ing the ma chine
unattended. Disengage the tines, shift into neutral, and
stop the engine.

• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, shut off the
engine and make certain all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away
from the plug to prevent accidental starting. Disconnect
the cord on electric motors.

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

• Never operate the tiller without proper guards, plates,
or other safety protective devices in place.

• Keep children and pets away.

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

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

• 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 forward. If this
occurs, let go of the handlebars and do not restrain the
machine.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe
work ing condition.

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

• Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside
a building where ignition sources are present, such
as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and
the like. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.

• Always refer to the operator’s guide instructions for
im por tant details if the tiller is to be stored for an ex­tended period.

- IMPORTANT -

CAUTIONS, IMPORTANTS, AND NOTES ARE A MEANS OF
ATTRACTING ATTENTION TO IMPORTANT OR CRIT I CAL
IN FOR MA TION IN THIS MANUAL.

IMPORTANT: USED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE IS A
POS SI BIL I TY OF DAM AG ING THIS EQUIP MENT.

NOTE: Gives essential information that will aid you to
better understand, incorporate, or execute a particular set
of instructions.

Look for this symbol to point out im­ por tant safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!!! BE COME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFE TY IS INVOLVED.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it can­ not contact spark plug in order to pre­ vent ac ci den tal starting when setting
up, trans port ing, adjusting or making
re pairs.

WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product con tains
chem i cals known to the State of Cal i for nia to
cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproduc­tive harm.

2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Gasolina Capacity: 3 Quarts (2.8L)
Unleaded Reg u lar

Oil (API-SG-SL): SAE 30 (Above 32°F)
(Capacity: 20 oz./0.6L) SAE 5W-30 (Below 32°F)

Spark Plug : NGK-BPR6ES
(Gap: .030"/0.76mm) TORCH-F6RTC

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tiller. It
has been designed, en gi neered and manu fac tured to give
you the best pos sible de penda bil ity and per form ance.

Should you experience any prob lems you can not easily
remedy, please contact your nearest authorized service
center. We have com pe tent, well-trained tech ni cians and
the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

Please read and retain this manual. The in struc tions will
enable you to assemble and main tain your tiller prop erly.
Always observe the “SAFETY RULES”.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules.

• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for
and using your tiller.

• Follow instructions under “Maintenance” and “Stor age”
sections of this Owner’s Manual.

WARNING: This unit is equipped with an internal com­bustion engine and should not be used on or near any
unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass covered
land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with
a spark arrester meeting applicable local laws (if any). If a
spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective
work ing order by the operator.

In the state of California, a spark arrester is required by law
(Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code).
Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply
on federal lands. See your authorized service center/
DEPARTMENT for spark arrester.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ..........................................................2

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ...............................3

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .....................................3

ASSEMBLY ...............................................................4-6

OPERATION ...........................................................7-11

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ....................................12

MAINTENANCE ...................................................12-14

SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS ...............................15-17

STORAGE .................................................................. 18

TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................... 19

REPAIR PARTS ....................................................20-26

WARRANTY ............................................. BACK PAGE

3

(1) Hairpin Clip

(1) Carriage Bolt

3/8-16 UNC x 1 Grade 5

(1) Center Locknut

3/8-16 UNC

(1) Handle Lock Lever

(1) Flat Washer 13/32 x 1 x 11 Gauge

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

(2) Handle Locks

(1) Pivot Bolt
3/8-16 UNC Grade 5

Extra Shear Pins & Clips

ASSEMBLY

Your new tiller has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes.
To ensure safe and proper operation of your tiller all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use
the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard
wrench sizes are listed.

(1) Utility knife

(1) Tire pressure gauge

(1) Pair of pliers

(1) 9/16" wrench

OPERATOR’S POSITION (See Fig. 1)

When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it
means when you are in the operating position (standing
behind tiller handles).

LEFT

FRONT

RIGHT

OPERATOR’S
POSITION

Fig. 1

4

ASSEMBLY

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3

4

UNPACKING CARTON (See Fig. 2)

CAUTION: Be careful of exposed
sta ples when handling or disposing
of cartoning material.

IMPORTANT: WHEN UN PACK ING AND AS SEM BLING TILLER,

BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRETCH OR KINK CABLES.

• While holding handle assembly, cut cable ties se cur ing
handle assembly to top frame and depth stake. Let
handle assembly rest on tiller.

• Remove top frame of carton.

• Slowly ease handle assembly up and place on top of
carton.

• Cut down right hand front and right hand rear cor ners
of carton, lay side carton wall down.

• Remove packing material from handle assembly.

HANDLE
AS SEM BLY

_3

ton

ar

c

SHIFT ROD

Fig. 2

INSTALL HANDLE (See Figs. 3, 4, and 5)

• Insert one handle lock (with teeth facing outward) in
gearcase notch. (Apply grease on smooth side of
handle lock to aid in keeping lock in place until handle
assembly is lowered into position.)

VIEWED FROM R.H. SIDE OF TILLER

HANDLE ASSEMBLY

GEARCASE
NOTCH

HANDLE
LOCK

• Grasp handle assembly. Hold in “up” position. Be sure
handle lock remains in gearcase notch. Slide handle
assembly into position.

HANDLE ASSEMBLY
"UP" POSITION

TIGHTEN HANDLE LOCK
LEVER TO HOLD

LOOSEN HANDLE
LOCK LEVER TO MOVE

Fig. 4

• Rotate handle assembly down. Insert rear carriage bolt
first, with bolt head on L.H. side of tiller and loosely
assemble locknut (See Fig. 5).

• Insert pivot bolt in front part of plate and tighten.

• Cut down remaining corners of carton and lay panels
flat.

• Lower the handle assembly. Tighten nut on carriage
bolt so handle moves with some resistance. This will
allow for easier adjustment.

• Place flat washer on threaded end of handle lock lever.

• Insert handle lock lever through handle base and
gearcase. Screw in handle lock lever just enough to
hold lever in place.

• Insert second handle lock (with teeth in ward) in the
slot of the handle base (just inside of washer).

• With handle assembly in lowest position, securely
tight en handle lock lever by rotating clockwise. Leav­ ing handle assembly in lowest position will make it
easier to remove tiller from carton.

HANDLE
LOCK

GEARCASE

SLOT

CARRIAGE
BOLT

FLAT
WASHER

HANDLE LOCK
LEVER

PIVOT BOLT

HANDLE
BASE

LOCKNUT

Fig. 3

Fig. 5

5

ASSEMBLY

ATTACH CLUTCH CABLE (See Fig. 6)

• Hook end of clutch cable through hole in control bar
bracket.

CONTROL BAR
BRACKET

CONTROL
BAR

CLUTCH
CABLE

CONTROL BAR
BRACKET

END OF CLUTCH
CABLE

Fig. 6

CONNECT SHIFT ROD (See Fig. 7)

• Insert end of shift rod into hole of shift lever indicator.

• Insert hairpin clip through hole of shift rod to secure.

SHIFT
ROD

HAIRPIN
CLIP

SHIFT
LEVER
INDICATOR

Fig. 7

REMOVE TILLER FROM CRATE

• Make sure shift lever indicator is in “N” position (See
Fig. 7)

• Tilt tiller forward by lifting handle. Separate cardboard
cover from leveling shield.

• Rotate tiller handle to the right and pull tiller out of
carton.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

The tires on your unit were overinflated at the factory for
shipping purposes. Correct and equal tire pressure is
important for best tilling performance.

• Reduce tire pressure to 20 PSI (1.4 kg/cm2).

HANDLE HEIGHT

• Handle height may be adjusted to better suit operator.
(See “TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT” in the Service
and Adjustments section of this manual).

6

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR TILLER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER.

Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save
this manual for future reference.

These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their
meaning.

THROTTLE CONTROL

DRIVE
CONTROL
BAR

DEPTH STAKE

LEVELING
SHIELD

SHIFT LEVER

CHOKE CONTROL

SHIFT LEVER IN DI CA TOR

FUEL
VALVE

ON/OFF
SWITCH

MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Our tillers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.

CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a cold engine.
DEPTH STAKE - Controls depth at which tiller will dig.
DRIVE CONTROL BAR - Used to engage tines.
LEVELING SHIELD - Levels tilled soil.

ON / OFF switch - used to STOP the engine.
FUEL VALVE - Used to turn fuel off and on.

Fig. 8

RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to start the engine.
SHIFT LEVER - Used to shift transmission gears.
SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR - Shows which gear the trans-

mis sion is in.

THROTTLE CONTROL - Controls engine speed.

7

OPERATION

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2

The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in
severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting your tiller and while
tilling. We recommend a wide vision safety mask for over spectacles or standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER

Know how to operate all controls before adding fuel and
oil or attempting to start engine.

STOPPING (See Fig. 9)

TINES

1. Release drive control to stop move ment.

2. Move shift lever to “N” (neutral) position.

ENGINE

2. Move throttle control to “SLOW” po si tion and allow the
engine to run slowly for cool down.

3. Turn the engine switch to the "OFF" Position.

4. Turn the fuel valve lever to the "OFF" Position.

NOTE: NEVER USE CHOKE TO STOP ENGINE.

IMPORTANT: TO STOP ENGINE IN AN EMERGENCY, TURN

THE ENGINE SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION.

SHIFT
LEVER

DRIVE CONTROL
BAR
“ENGAGED”
PO SI TION

DRIVE CONTROL BAR
“DISENGAGED” PO SI TION

TINE OPERATION - WITH WHEEL DRIVE

• Always release drive control bar before moving shift
lever into another position.

• Tine movement is achieved by moving shift lever to

( ) till position and engaging drive control bar.

FORWARD - WHEELS ONLY/TINES
STOPPED

• Release drive control bar and move shift lever in di ca tor
to “F” (forward) position. Engage drive control bar and
tiller will move forward.

REVERSE - WHEELS ONLY/TINES
STOPPED

• DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND TILLER.

• Release the drive control bar.

• Move throttle control to “SLOW” position.

• Move shift lever indicator to “R” (reverse) position.

• Hold drive control bar against the handle to start tiller
movement.

HARD TO SHIFT GEARS

• Briefly engage drive control bar and release or rock tiller
forward and backward until are able to shift gears.

DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 10)

The depth stake can be raised or lowered to allow you more
versatile tilling and cul ti vat ing, or to more easily transport
your tiller.

THROTTLE
CONTROL

1

THROTTLE
CONTROL

FUEL
VALVE

ENGINE
SWITCH

Fig. 9

FUEL
VALVE

ENGINE
SWITCH

TRANSPORT

SHALLOWEST
TILLING
(CULTIVATING)

DEEPEST
TILLING

DEPTH
STAKE

POSITION

Fig. 10

TILLING (See Fig. 11)

• Release depth stake pin. Pull the depth stake up for
increased tilling depth. Place depth stake pin in hole
of depth stake to lock in position.

• Place shift lever indicator in ( )till position.

• Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start
tilling movement. Tines and wheels will both turn.

8

OPERATION

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16

• Move throttle control to “FAST” position for deep tilling.
To cultivate, throttle control can be set at any desired
speed, depending on how fast or slow you wish to
cultivate.

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS RELEASE DRIVE CONTROL
BAR BEFORE MOVING SHIFT LEVER INTO ANOTHER
POSITION.

TURNING

• Release the drive control bar.

• Move throttle control to “SLOW” position.

• Place shift lever indicator in “F” (forward) position.
Tines will not turn.

• Lift handle to raise tines out of ground.

• Swing the handle in the opposite direction you wish
to turn, being careful to keep feet and legs away from
tines.

• When you have completed your turn-around, release
the drive control bar and lower handle. Place shift le­ver in (till) position and move throttle control to de sired
speed. To begin tilling, hold drive control bar against
the handle.

DEPTH STAKE PIN
“RELEASED” POSITION

• Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start
tiller movement. Tines will not turn.

• Move throttle control to desired speed.

AROUND TOWN

• Disconnect spark plug wire.

• Drain fuel tank.

• Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT TO

ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING OIL
OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN AP­PROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CON TAIN ERS. USE CLEAN
FILL FUNNELS.

FILL ENGINE WITH OIL (See Fig. 12)

1. Remove hangtag from engine.

2. With engine level, remove engine oil fill er plug.

3. Fill engine with oil to point of over flow ing. For ap proxi­mate ca pac i ty see “PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on
page 4 of this manual. All oil must meet A.P.I. Service
Classification SG-SL.

4. Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then re-level.

5. With engine level, refill to point of over flow ing if nec­es sary. Re place oil filler plug.

• For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the
Main te nance section of this man u al).

• To change engine oil, see the Main te nance section of
this manual.

“LOCKED”
POSITION

Fig. 11

TO TRANSPORT

CAUTION: Before lifting or trans port ing,
allow tiller engine and muffler to cool.
Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain
gasoline from fuel tank.

AROUND THE YARD

• Release the depth stake pin. Move the depth stake
down to the top hole for transporting the tiller. Place
depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in posi­tion. This prevents tines from scuffing the ground.

• Place shift lever indicator in “F” (forward) position for
transporting.

Oil Level

Oil Filler Plug

Max Upper Level

Min Lower Level

Fig. 12

9