Poulan Pro RT900 User Manual

IMPORTANT MANUAL Do Not Throw Away

OPERATOR'S MANUAL MODEL:

WARNING:

Read this Man u al and follow all Warn-

RT900

REAR TINE TILLER

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION Visit our website: www.poulanpro.com

Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (E10) is acceptable for use in this machine. The use of any gasoline exceeding 10% ethanol (E10) will void the product warranty.

532 44 67-82 Printed in U.S.A.

ings and Safety Instructions. Fail ure to do so can re sult in serious in ju ry.

10.26.11 SR

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.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Gasoline Capacity: 2.9 Quarts (2,7L) Unleaded Reg u lar

OIL (API:SG-SL): SAE 30 Above 32°F/0°C (Capacity 20 oz/0,6L) SAE 5w30 Below 32°F/0°C

Spark Plug: Champion RC12YC (Gap: .030"/0.76mm)

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 Manual.

IMPORTANT: THIS UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON OR NEAR ANY UNIMPROVED FOREST-COVERED, BRUSHCOVERED 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 L AWS 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 .............................................................7-10

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ......................................11

MAINTENANCE ......................................................11-13

SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS .................................14-17

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

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

WARRANTY .................................................................20

(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

ASSEMBLY

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

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.

CARRIAGE BOLT

GEARCASE

SLOT

HANDLE LOCK

FLAT WASHER

HANDLE LOCK LEVER

Fig. 3

dle

HANDLE BASE

LOCKNUT

PIVOT BOLT

Fig. 5

ASSEMBLY

CONNECT SHIFT ROD (See Fig. 6)

• 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

Fig. 6

SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR

REMOVE TILLER FROM CRATE

• Make sure shift lever indicator is in “N” position (See Fig. 6)

• 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).

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