Record your model number , manuf acturer n umber and
serial number in the space provided for easy ref erence .
The model and manufacturer numbers can be f ound on
the unit I.D . plate located on the unit's left engine mount.
Refer to the Engine Owner's Manual f or location of
engine serial number.
If you hav e 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 DA TA
Model Description/Number
M/N (Manufacturer's Number)S/N (Serial Number)
Dealer NameDate Purchased
ENGINE REFERENCE DA T A
Engine Make/ModelEngine ID/Serial Number
WARNING
Engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known, in certain quantities, to cause
cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
Page 1
Safety Rules
OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY
Safe and effectiv e use of the rototiller is the o wner's
responsibility.
1. Read and follow all saf ety 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
when handling, transporting, operating, servicing, or
storing your rototiller unit.
Each safety alert symbol is followed by a "signal w ord"
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 lev els 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 obey ed.
all
times
•CAREFULLY READ THIS MANUAL AND
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
•Be familiar with all controls before oper ating the
tiller. Your tiller is equipped with a safety device that
enables you to stop the wheels and tines quic kly in
an emergency. Learn how the drive saf ety control
levers w ork and how to control the tiller at all times.
•Never allo w 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 trav el.
PREPARATION
•Dress appropriately when operating the tiller. Always
wear sturdy footwear. Ne v er wear sandals,
sneakers, or open shoes, and ne v er oper ate the
tiller with bare feet. Do not w ear 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 flammab le.
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. Ne v er fill
fuel tank indoors.
d. Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up
spilled fuel before restarting.
•Never attempt to mak e any adjustments while the
engine is running.
Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You
must add engine oil before starting engine.
Page 2
Safety Rules
OPERATION
•Never oper ate 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. Mak e sure the
wheel lockouts or lockpins are engaged through
wheel hubs and wheel axle. The wheels act as a
brake to keep the tiller at a controlled speed.
Disengage wheels to permit free-wheeling only when
engine is stopped.
•Keep hands, f eet, and clothing a w a y from rotating
parts. Keep clear of tiller tines at all times .
•Tines and wheels rotate when tiller is engaged in
forward
rotate when the drive safety control levers are pulled
down; in
reverse handle is pulled bac k towards the oper ator.
Releasing the drive safety control lev ers to
stops the wheels and tines.
•Be extremely cautious when operating in
Take extra care to avoid slipping or f alling, and to
keep feet clear of tines.
•Exercise e xtreme 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.
or
reverse
reverse
-- in
forward
, wheels and tines rotate when the
, tines and wheels
neutral
reverse
.
•Never allo w b ystanders near the unit.
•Use only attachments and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of the tiller .
•Never oper ate 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.
•Take all possible precautions when leaving the
machine unattended. Disengage all controls le v ers,
stop the engine, wait for all mo ving parts to stop,
and make certain guards and shields are in place.
•When leaving the operating position for an y 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.
•If vegetation clogs the tines, raise the handlebars to
elevate the tines , and run the tiller in
does not clean clogged vegetation from the tines,
STOP THE ENGINE AND DISCONNECT THE
SP ARK 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.
•Do not run the engine indoors; e xhaust fumes are
dangerous.
•Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting
to till too deep at too fast a rate.
•Never oper ate the machine at high transport speeds
on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care
when backing.
reverse
. If this
•Always allow m uffler to cool bef ore 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 ref er to the operator's guide instructions f or
important details if the tiller is to be stored for an
extended period.
Page 3
Safety Rules
SAFETY DECALS
This rototiller unit has been designed and manufactured to provide y ou with the saf ety and reliability y ou would
expect from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing.
Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide y ou with the necessary basic
knowledge to operated this equipment safely and eff ectiv ely, we have placed se v eral saf ety 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 y ou perf orm normal tilling operations. Please re vie w these labels
now , and if y ou ha v e any questions regarding their meaning or how to comply with these instructions, reread the
complete safety instruction text on the preceding pages, or contact y our 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 saf ety instructions necessary for saf e, eff ectiv e oper ation of your rototiller.
* Hiller-Furrower Attachment
is standard on Model 7016RT
Page 5
Controls
DRIVE SAFETY CONTROL LEVERS
Engage wheels and tines into forward, releasing returns
machine to neutral.
Pulling down on drive safety control levers engages the
wheels and tines. Releasing drive saf ety 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 onl y to introduce
the controls. DO NO T ST ART THE ENGINE A T THIS
TIME. Starting and operating instructions are
given on page 11. 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 bac k to wards oper ator re v erses
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
❖❖
❖ As a safety precaution, the drive saf ety control
❖❖
levers will not lock in the forwar d position.
❖❖
❖ To stop the wheels and tines at any time
❖❖
release the drive safety control lever s.
CAUTION
❖❖
❖ As a safety precaution, the rever se handle will
❖❖
not lock in reverse.
❖❖
❖ To stop the wheels and tines at any time,
❖❖
release the reverse handle.
❖❖
❖ Do not operate both the reverse handle and
❖❖
drive safety control levers at the same time.
Page 6
ENGINE CONTROLS
Your new rototiller has been designed for both ease of
use and lasting reliability , and features a simplified
control system that requires just two operating controls.
These two operating controls, the Choke and the
Throttle, are conv eniently located on the tiller engine
where they can be easily adjusted to start and run the
unit under a variety of operating conditions.
Throttle
The throttle controls engine speed, and allows you to
conserve fuel when idling, or to run the unit at maximum
speed for optimal tilling performance.
Choke
Put choke control in choke position if engine is cold. A
warm engine requires less choking than a cold engine.
Refer to your engine manual f or further information.
Controls
Briggs & Stratton Intec Engine
Model 7016RT & 6016RT
1.Spark plug wire
2.Air cleaner
3.Choke
4.Carburetor
5. Fuel shut-off valve (if equipped)
6.Rope handle
7.Finger guard
8.Stop switch (if equipped)
9.Fuel fill
10.Fuel tank
11.Oil fill/Dipstick (if equipped)
12.Blower housing
13.Oil drain plug
14.Oil fill cap
15.Engine Id plate
16.Muffler
Briggs & Stratton Intec Engine
Page 7
Adjustments
WHEEL LOCKOUTS (7016RT)
Place wheels in tilling position.
1. Pull knob in center of wheel out, away from machine.
2. Rotate knob and lockout to align with slot on axle,
release knob. Rotate wheel to align slot in wheel hub
with lockout.
3. Wheel and axle should be firmly lock ed together
before tilling.
4. Repeat for other wheel.
Model
7016RT
(7-hp)
Wheel lockout in tilling position.
(hub & axle slot)
WHEEL LOCKPINS (6016RT)
Place wheels in tilling position.
1. Remove lockpin. Align hole in axle with hole in wheel
hub.
2. Insert lockpin through holes, f old loc kpin ring to
secure pin to axle.
3. Wheel and axle should be firmly lock ed together
before tilling.
4. Repeat for other wheel.
Model
6016RT
(6-hp)
Wheel lockpin in free-wheel position.
(axle hole only)
NOTE: Al ways ha ve both wheel loc k outs in or out.
Do not operate tiller with only one wheel locked.
To place wheels in free-wheel position.
1. Pull knob in center of wheel out, away from machine.
2. Rotate knob and lockout to align lockout with detent
in end of axle. Release knob .
3. Wheel should turn freely on axle.
NOTE: Alwa ys ha ve both wheel loc k outs in or out.
Do not operate tiller with only one wheel locked.
To place wheels in free-wheel position.
1. Remove lockpin. Slide wheel inward to w ard machine.
2. Insert pin in axle only.
3. Wheel should turn freely on axle.
WARNING
Never start engine or operate tiller with wheels in
free-wheel position. The free-wheel position is f or
transporting the tiller long distances over level
ground--do not attempt to move the tiller up or
down steep grades in the free-wheel position.
Page 8
HANDLEBAR ADJUSTMENTS
Adjustments
Height Adjustment
The ideal height of the handlebar varies with operator
height and the depth of tilling.
T o adjust handlebar height:
1. Remove bolt from lower crossbar of handlebar and
pivot handlebar height adjuster.
2. Align handlebar to desired hole on the height
adjuster.
3. Install bolt and retighten.
Swivel Adjustment
Handlebar swivels 20° left or right f or operator comf ort.
T o swivel handlebar:
1. Pull detent pin out of hole in pivot lock bar.
2. Rotate handlebar 20° left or right.
3. Insert detent pin in hole.
3 Height
Adjustment
Positions
height
adjustment
bolt
Pull Detent
Pin for Swivel
Adjustment
pivot handlebar
height adjuster
pivot
lock bar
Page 9
Adjustments
DEPTH REGULATOR LEVER
Tilling depth is controlled by the height of the depth
regualtor lever .
To adjust tilling depth.
1. Remove detent pin.
2. Raise the depth regulator lever to position tines at
chosen tilling depth.
3. Align hole in depth regulator le v er with hole in depth
regulator bracket and replace detent pin.
detent pin
depth regulator
bracket
depth regulator lever
BEL T TENSION ADJUSTMENT
Proper belt tension is critical to good performance. After
1/2 hour of operation, all cables may ha v e to be
adjusted due to initial stretch. Thereafter , check tension
after every 2 hours of operation.
T o increase belt tension:
1. Loosen upper jam nut. Turn nut up cable in 1/8"
increments.
2. Tighten lower jam nut.
3. Check adjustment.
This procedure can be repeated until conduit
adjustment bolts have no more adjustment left. If no
more adjustment can be made, belt may have to be
replaced.
Depth Regulator Lever Down =
the detent pin in the top hole of the depth regulator lever
for shallowest tilling.
Depth Regulator Lever Up =
detent pin in the bottom hole of the depth regulator lever
for deepest tilling.
WARNING
Always set the depth regulator lever in the
transport position before starting engine, that is,
place the detent pin in the highest hole of the
depth regulator lever .
WARNING
Do not adjust tilling depth unless drive safety
control levers are released to neutral position.
Shallower tilling. Place
Deeper tilling. Place the
bracket
reverse cable
➜➜
➜➜
➜
up cable
upper
jam nut
lower jam nut
forward cable
Page 10
PRE-START INSPECTION
1. Make sure all safety guards are in place and all nuts
and bolts are secure.
2. Check oil lev el in engine cr ankcase. See your engine
manual for procedure and specifications.
3. Inspect air cleaner for cleanliness. See your engine
manual for procedure.
4. Check the fuel supply. Fill the fuel tank no closer
than 1 inch from top of tank to provide space for
expansion. See y our engine man ual for fuel
recommendations.
5. Be sure spark plug wire is attached and spark plug is
tightened securely .
6. Check position of wheels and wheel lock outs.
7. Check depth regulator lev er position.
CAUTION
Please do not start your tiller until you have read
the Manual that came with your engine, and the
sections in this manual titled Controls,
Adjustments and Safety. If you have read these,
follow the steps below to start your tiller. Always
perform this pre-start checklist before starting the
engine.
Operation
ENGINE IS SHIPPED FROM FACTORY WITHOUT
OIL. YOU MUST ADD ENGINE OIL BEFORE
ST AR TING ENGINE.
ST AR T-UP
The controls required to start and run the rototiller are
located on the engine and are marked "Choke" and
"Throttle".
A more detailed description of engine operation and all
related precautions and procedures can be found in the
engine manufacturer's manual that accompanies each
tiller.
Cold Starts
1. Mo v e chok e le v er to full chok e position.
2. Mo v e throttle le v er to "start".
3. Pull starting rope out slowly one time and allow to
return normally.
4. Pull starting rope out rapidly, and allow rope to return
normally .
5. When engine starts, gruadually mov e choke lever to
"no choke" position and increase throttle speed.
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and must be handled
with care. Never fill the tank when the engine is
hot or running. Always move outdoors to fill the
tank.
WARNING
Wheels must always be locked in the TILLING
position when engine is running. Do not operate
the tiller with the wheel lockouts unlocked. Always
set the wheels in tilling position before starting
engine.
WARNING
Always put the depth regulator lever in the
transport position before starting engine. Tines
should clear the ground.
Restarting A Warm Engine
Restarting an engine that is already warm from
previous running does not normally require use of the
choke.
1. Mo v e throttle le v er to "start" position.
2. Pull starting rope out rapidly until engine starts. Allo w
rope to return normally.
3. Adjust throttle speed to "high" f or best tiller action.
Idle Speed
Use the "low" position on the throttle lev er to reduce
stress on the engine when tilling is not being performed.
Lowering the engine speed to "idle" the engine will help
extend the life of the motor, as well as conserve fuel
and reduce the noise level of the equipment.
Operating Speed
For normal tilling, set the throttle lev er to "fast".
DANGER
Always keep hands and feet clear of rotating
machine parts.
Page 11
Operation
WARNING
Temperature of muffler and near by areas may
exceed 150
Do not move choke control to CHOKE to stop
engine. Backfire or engine damage may occur.
°°
° F . Avoid these areas.
°°
WARNING
SHUTTING DOWN
DANGER
Engine and surrounding parts become extremely
hot during normal use, and will cause serious burn
injuries if touched before the engine has cooled.
Allow engine to cool completely before
touching these hot surfaces.
WARNING
To stop the engine at any time, move throttle
control to the off position. To stop wheels and
tines at any time, release drive safety control
levers to neutral position.
TILLING
1. Adjust the depth regulator lever to desired tilling
depth.
NOTE: Raise depth regulator le ver up one hole at a
time, testing tiller operation after each raise.
Raising depth regulator lever too high can result in
loss of control of tiller!
2. Move the throttle control to
3. Place the tiller in
drive safety control levers--this will engage the
wheels and tines.
NOTE: You can slow the tiller's forwar d advance at
any time by putting slight downwar d pressure on
the handlebars, or y ou can stop the tiller b y
releasing the drive safety control levers to the
neutral position.
T o stop wheels and tines at any time, release drive
safety control levers to neutral position.
Always release drive safety control levers to
neutral position before adjusting the depth
regulator lever .
forward
fast
.
by pushing down on the
WARNING
WARNING
Page 12
Practice operating the controls and tiller with tines
out of ground before beginning to till. It is
important that you know how to use the tiller
properly, how to keep control at all times, ho w to
stop the tines and wheels from turning, and how
to stop the engine if necessary . If you do not kno w
how to do these things, read the Controls,
Adjustments and Safety sections before
proceeding.
Tips
TILLING TIPS
The key to successful tilling is to begin with a shallow
cut on the first pass, and then work an inch or two
deeper on each successive pass.
✮ Tilling depth will v ary with ground conditions.
✮ When beginning to till in unbroken g round or in
extremely hard soil, set the detent pin in the highest
hole of the drag stake (follow instructions under
Tilling on previous page). This will allow for shallo w
tilling. With the dr ag stake in this position, mak e
several light passes o v er the area to be tilled. Reset
for deeper depths with successive passes .
✮ If tiller jumps or skids uncontrollably, lower the drag
stake by placing the detent pin in a higher hole. This
will allow for shallower tilling. Hold firmly to the
handlebars to control sudden lurches.
✮ If weeds, tall g rasses, vines, or other materials clog
or jam the tines, rev erse the tiller to unwind
vegetation.
Immediately release the drive control lev ers if the tines
jam or you strike a foreign object. With drive control
levers in neutr al, push throttle control to stop position to
stop the engine. Disengage the spark plug wire. When
tines have stopped, remo ve foreign objects and check
for damage.
WARNING
Extreme caution must be taken in selecting tilling
depth. If y ou attempt to till too deeply for soil conditions,
that is, with the drag stake in too high a position,
loss of control could result.
WARNING
If removing material from the tines by hand, stop
engine and remove spark plug wire first.
CUL TIV ATING TIPS
If you plan to use your tiller for cultiv ating:
✮ Plant rows on 20" - 22" centers for ease of turning.
✮ Set the drag stak e with the detent pin in one of the
higher holes. This will allow the shallow cultivation
necessary to turn over weeds, and break up and
aerate the soil.
Page 13
Normal Care
SCHEDULE
Your rototiller has been designed and produced by the industry's leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment
to provide you with years of reliable oper ation.
Keeping your tiller in top running condition will prolong its lif e, and help y ou obtain optimum perf ormance whene ver
you wish to till your garden.
Please read this normal care schedule, and observe these recommended care operating intervals to extend the life
of your unit.
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1 Adjust throttle control after first 3 hours of operation or if engine is hard to start or run-on occurs.
2 Change oil after first 5-8 hours of use, then after every 50 hours or every season. Change oil e v ery 25 hours
when operating under heavy load or in high temperatures.
Page 14
SER VICING THE ROT OTILLER
General
The following inf ormation will help you make the
necessary checks and perform the procedures required
to follow the normal care recommendations made for
your rototiller unit.
If you prefer, your local authorized dealer can make
these checks and perform the required procedures for
you.
Check Forward Belt Tension
Forward belt tension ma y decrease over time. It m ust be
adjusted within the first half hour of operation, and
checked after e v ery two hours of operation. Proper
adjustment will assure long belt life. Too much or too
little belt tension will cause premature belt failure. To
check and adjust the forward belt tension:
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2. Remove and secure spark plug wire from spark plug.
Normal Care
WARNING
To prevent accidental starting:
Engine must be turned off and cool, and spark plug
wire must be removed and secured from spark plug
before checking and adjusting engine or equipment.
1"
3. With driv e saf ety control le vers in neutral position,
measure length of spring when compressed.
4. Pull do wn on drive safety control levers and
remeasure length of spring when stretched out. Ideal
length would be 1/4" longer.
Check Reverse Belt Tension
Reverse belt tension is not adjustab le .
1-1/4"
WARNING
Check forward belt tension regularl y. Too much
or too little tension will cause premature belt
failure.
Page 15
Normal Care
Change Forward/Reverse Belt
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2. Remove spark plug wire and secure from spark plug.
3. Remove belt guard.
✮ remove the f orward belt from the forward engine
pulley:
- gently pull the engine recoil rope to rotate the
pulley.
- with the pulley turning, force the forward belt
out of the V-groove.
- slide the belt free of the engine pulley.
- pull the forward belt down and out of the w a y.
✮ remove the re v erse belt from the re verse engine
pulley:
- gently pull the engine recoil rope to rotate the
pulley.
- with the pulley turning, force the rev erse belt
out of the V-groove.
- slide the belt free of engine pulleys and rev erse
belt guides.
- pull belt down and awa y from transmission
pulley.
✮ install new rev erse belt:
- thread belt up from bottom.
- place belt around transmission pulley in groov e .
- place belt under reverse belt guides .
- gently pull engine recoil rope while forcing the
belt over the edge of the engine pulle y into the
V -g roov e .
✮ install new forw ard belt:
- place forward belt in transmission pulley
groove .
- gently pull the engine recoil rope to rotate the
pulley while forcing the f orward belt into the
V -g roov e .
4. Replace belt guard.
5. Attach spark plug wire .
Page 16
CAUTION
Do not operate tiller before reading the engine
manual provided in the parts packet.
WARNING
Temperature of muffler and near by areas may
exceed 150
Engine can overheat and become damaged if
debris blocks the cooling system or rotating
screen.
Never run engine without complete air cleaner
installed on engine.
° °
° F. Av oid these areas.
° °
Normal Care
Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You
must add engine oil before starting engine.
Check or Fill Oil Sump
1. Add oil according to engine man ual. 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 notmix oil with gasoline. Oil level must be full. Check
the oil level by remo ving oil fill plug. Oil level should
be up to the bottom of the fill plug opening.
2. Alw a ys chec k oil le v el before starting engine. Ref er
to engine manual for capacity and type of oil to use.
Engine Maintenance
Refer to the engine manual included in your parts
packet f or information on engine maintenance. Your
engine manual provides detailed information and a
maintenance schedule for performing the follo wing
tasks:
1. Check oil level before each use or after ev ery 8
hours of operation.
2. Change oil after first 5-8 hours of operation. Change
oil while engine is warm. Refill with new oil of
recommended grade.
4. Check spark plug yearly or every 100 hours of
operation.
5. Service air cleaner.
6. Keep engine and parts clean.
7. Check engine and equipment often for loose n uts
and bolts, keep these items tightened.
Adapted from Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Form No. 274263-10/99.
Page 17
Normal Care
Check Tiller T ransmission Grease
TILLER TRANSMISSION IS SHIPPED FROM
FACT ORY WITH THE PROPER AMOUNT OF
00 LIQUID GREASE.
Check the grease lev el ann ually. To check the grease
level:
1. Move tiller to level ground.
2. Remove grease level dipstick located betw een the
handlebar mounts in the front transmission cover.
Correct 00 grease lev el is indicated betw een the high
and low lev els on the dipstick.
3. Replace grease lev el dipstic k in the filler hole.
4. Note that the front wheel transmission and rear tine
transmission are one common reservoir. When y ou
add to the front transmission, you must wait a short
period of time for the 00 grease to flow rearward and
equalize in both front and rear. The dipstick will read
correctly on level ground f or both gear units .
Check Tire Pressure
Recommended tire pressure is 20 PSI. If tires do not
have equal pressure, tiller will pull to one side.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication of moving mechanical parts of your
rototiller is a very important part of care and
maintenance. You should oil the moving parts shown at
10 hour intervals using a 30 weight oil.
Clean Tine Axle Shaft
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2. Remove spark plug wire and secure from spark plug.
3. Tip the tiller forward. Block the tiller in position so
that it rests on the engine mount and the tines are
exposed.
4. Remove all vegetation, string, wire, and other
material that may have accumulated on the axle
between the inside set of tines and the seal on the
transmission housing.
5. Tip the tiller back to a lev el position.
6. Replace spark plug wire.
dipstick
gear case
dipstick hole
transmission
cover plate
When replacing grease, the tiller transmission
holds 18-22 ounces. DO NO T OVERFILL.
Page 18
Storage
PREPARE FOR STORAGE
Follow the steps below to prepare y our tiller f or storage .
Read your engine manual for detailed instructions on
preparing the engine for storage.
- Move wheel back into position and sn ug locking
bolt. Bac k off loc king bolt 1/16 turn and lock jam
nut.
2. Drain fuel system completely follo wing engine
manufacturer's instructions or add fuel stabilizer to
prevent fuel from gumming up during e xtended
storage period.
3. While engine is still warm, dr ain the oil from the
engine. Refill with fresh oil of the recommended
grade.
4. Clean external surfaces, engine and cooling fan.
5. Remove spark plug, pour one ounce of SAE 30 oil
into spark plug hole.
6. Plug hole and pull starter cord slowly to distribute oil
evenly in cylinder head area.
7. Reinstall spark plug.
8. Transport unit to a suitable storage location. If you
have chosen to use a fuel stabilizer and ha v e not
drained the fuel system, follow all saf ety instructions
and storage precautions in this manual to prev ent the
possibility of fire from the ignition of gasoline fumes.
Remember, gasoline fumes can tra v el to distant
sources of ignition and ignite, causing risk of
explosion and fire.
9. If there is any possibility of unauthorized use or
tampering, remove the spark plug and store it in a
safe place before storing the rototiller unit aw a y. Be
sure to plug the spark plug hole to prevent f oreign
material from entering.
WARNING
Do not store tiller in an unventilated area where
fuel fumes may reach flame, sparks, pilot lights
or an ignited object. Drain fuel outdoors awa y from
any ignition sources. Use only approved fuel
containers.
Page 19
Troubleshooting and Repair
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
While normal care and routine maintenance will extend
the life of your rototiller, prolonged or constant use may
eventually require that service be performed to allow it
to continue operating properly. The troubleshooting
guide below lists the most common problems, causes
and remedies.
PROBLEMREMEDY/ACTION
Engine will not start
Engine runs rough, floods during operation
Engine is hard to start
WARNING
Practice safety at all times. Engine must be turned
off and allowed to cool, and spark plug wire m ust
be disconnected and secured before attempting
any maintenance or repair .
Failure to comply with this safety requirement can
result in serious personal injury to you or
bystanders.
• Add gas to gas tank.
• Connect spar k plug wire to spark plug
• Throttle must be positioned at choke for a cold start
(see page 11 for instructions)
• Clean or replace air cleaner
• Drain old fuel and replace with fresh. Use gas stabilizer
at end of season
• Make sure spark plug wire is securely attached to spark
plug
• Dr ive safety control levers must be released to
to start the engine
neutral
Engine misses or lacks power
Engine will not stop when throttle control is positioned
at stop
Tiller moves forward during starting
Tiller is difficult to control when tilling (machine jumps
or lurches forward)
Tines turn, wheels do not turn
Tines turn, wheels turn, tiller does not move
• Raise the tines for shallower tilling by lowering the
depth regulator lever, see page 10
• Remove and clean fuel tank
• Clean or replace air cleaner
• Improper carburetor adjustment, take to authorized
Briggs & Stratton service center
• Replace spark plug and adjust gap
• Drain and refill gas tank and carburetor
• See engine manual to check and adjust throttle linkage
• Dr ive safety control levers must be released to
to start the engine
• Lock wheels in tilling position, see page 8
• Raise the tines for shallower tilling by lowering the
depth regulator lever, see page 10
• Lock wheels in tilling position, see page 8
• Inter nal transmission failure, see your dealer
• Lower the tines for deeper tilling by raising the depth
regulator lever, see page 10
neutral
Page 20
PROBLEMREMEDY/ACTION
Belts squeal in neutral and/or reverse
Troubleshooting and Repair
• Adjust forward belt guide:
- turn engine off and allow muffler to cool
- disconnect spark plug wire and secure from spark plug
- remove belt guard
- pull down on drive safety control levers
- manually bend forward belt guide so there is 1/16 inch
or less clearance between belt guide and belt
- replace belt guard and spark plug wire
Belts squeal in forward operation
Excessive heat build up in transmission/tine area
during tilling
• Adjust tabs on the reverse belt guide
- turn engine off and allow muffler to cool
- disconnect spark plug wire and secure from spark plug
- release dr ive safety control levers to
- remove belt guard
- adjust tabs of reverse belt guide:
while drive safety control levers are released, bend
metal tabs on reverse belt guide to 1/64 inch or less
clearance from reverse belt
- replace belt guard and spark plug wire
• Remove vegetation by following instructions in Clean
Tine Axle Shaft on page 18 of Maintenance & Storage
section. FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• Check transmission fluid and fill if needed by following
instructions on page 18
neutral
Page 21
Specifications
FEATURES
N 7-HP Briggs & Stratton Engine (7016RT)
N 6-HP Briggs & Stratton Engine (6016RT)
N Tractor Type Pneumatic Tires
N All Gear Drive Transmission
N Handlebar Height Adjustment
N Forward/Reverse Control
N Functional Depth Regulator System
N Wheel Lockout Control (7016RT)
N Wheel Lockpins (6016RT)
N Drive Safety Control Levers
N Self Cleaning Bolo Tines (7016RT)
N Double Bolo Tines (6016RT)
N Bumper Guard (7016RT)
N Hiller-Furrower Attachment (7016RT)
Technical Manuals
Additional copies of this manual, as well as a fully
illustrated parts manuals for your unit are also av ailable .
The parts manuals show all of the assemblies and
individual parts as exploded views which show the
relationship of the parts and how they go together.
Important assembly notes and special torque values
are included in the illustrations. Standard hardw are and
torque specification charts are also included.
To order copies of the manuals applicable to your
model, contact the Simplicity Customer Publications
Department at 414-284-8519.
Have the inf ormation on the form at the right available
when phoning in your request.