Snapper 8.5 TP User Manual

OPERATOR’S

Not for

Reproduction

MANUAL

Rear Tine Tiller

8.5 TP Rear Tine Tiller

Mfg. No. Description

1695583 6016RT, 8.5 TP Rear Tine Tiller
1695577 6016RT, 8.5 TP Front Tine Tiller

1737349

Revision A

Rev. Date 10/2008

TP10000000

OM6016RT

Not for

Reproduction

2

Table of Contents

Not for

Reproduction

Unpack Tiller ............................................................

Attach Handlebar to Tiller ........................................

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

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

OPERATION ...............................................................

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

Start-up ................................................................... 9

Idle Speed ...............................................................

Operating Speed .....................................................

Shutting Down ........................................................

Tilling ......................................................................

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

10
10
10
10

11

Wheel Lock Pins ..................................................

3

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

4

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

4

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

4

Tilling Tips .............................................................

4

Cultivating Tips .....................................................

4
5

MAINTENANCE ......................................................

5

Maintenance Schedule ..........................................

6

Servicing the Rototiller ...........................................

Change Forward/Reverse Belt ...............................

7

Engine Maintenance ..............................................

7

Check or Fill Engine Crankcase ............................

7

Check Tiller Transmission Grease .........................

7

Check Tire Pressure ..............................................

Lubrication .............................................................

Clean Tine Axle Shaft ............................................

9

STORAGE ................................................................

9

Prepare for Storage ...............................................

TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................

Troubleshooting Guide ...........................................19

TECHNICAL MANUALS .......................................... 21

12
12

13
13
14
14

15

15
15
16

17
17

17

17

18
18

18

18

19

3

Safety Rules

Not for

Reproduction

OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY

Accurate assembly and safe and effective use of the rototiller is the
owner’s responsibility.

s Read and follow all safety instructions.

s Carefully follow all assembly instructions.

s Maintain the tiller according to directions and schedule included

in this Earthquake operator’s manual.

s Ensure that anyone who uses the tiller is familiar with all

controls and safety precautions.

SPECIAL MESSAGES

Your manual contains special messages to bring attention to potential
safety concerns, machine damage as well as helpful operating and
servicing information. Please read all the information carefully to avoid
injury and machine damage.

NOTE: General information is given throughout the manual
that may help the operator in the operation or service of the
machine.

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please read this section carefully. Operate the tiller according to the

safety instructions and recommendations outlined here and inserted
throughout the text. Anyone who uses this tiller must read the instruc­tions and be familiar with the controls. 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 operates
and how to control the tiller at all times.

This symbol points out important safety instructions
which if not followed could endanger your personal
safety. Read and follow all instructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this equipment.

s Do not allow children to operate this rototiller. Keep small children away

from the area being tilled. Do not allow adults to operate the tiller without
proper instruction.

PREPARATION

s 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.

s 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.

s Disengage all clutches and leave all control levers in the neutral

position before starting the engine.

s Handle fuel with care; it is highly fl ammable.

a. Use an approved fuel container.

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

!

DANGER

DANGER INDICATES A SERIOUS INJURY OR FA­TALITY WILL RESULT IF THE SAFETY INSTRUC­TIONS THAT FOLLOW THIS SIGNAL WORD ARE
NOT OBEYED.

WARNING

!

WARNING INDICATES A SERIOUS INJURY OR FA­TALITY COULD RESULT IF THE SAFETY INSTRUC­TIONS THAT FOLLOW THIS SIGNAL WORD ARE
NOT OBEYED.

!

CAUTION

CAUTION INDICATES YOU CAN OR YOUR EQUIP­MENT CAN BE HURT IF THE SAFETY INSTRUC­TIONS THAT FOLLOW THIS SIGNAL WORD ARE
NOT OBEYED.

IMPORTANT

IMPORTANT INDICATES HELPFUL INFORMATION
FOR PROPER ASSEMBLY, OPERATION, OR
MAINTENANCE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT.

!

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.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
ENGINE EXHAUST FROM THIS PRODUCT
CONTAINS CHEMICALS KNOWN TO THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER, BIRTH
DEFECTS, OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM.

4

c. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill fuel

Not for

Reproduction

tank indoors.

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

s Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is

running.

OPERATION

s Never operate the tiller without guards, covers, and hoods in

place.

s Never start the engine or operate the tiller with the wheels

in the free-wheel position. Make sure the wheel lock pins
are engaged through the wheel hubs and wheel axle. The
wheels act as a brake to keep the tiller at a controlled speed.
Disengage wheel lock pins to permit free-wheeling only when
engine is stopped.

s Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from rotating parts. Keep

clear of tiller tines at all times.

s Tines and wheels rotate when tiller is engaged in forward or

reverse-- in forward, tines and wheels rotate when the drive

safety control lever, labeled “FORWARD”, is pulled toward the
handlebar. In reverse, wheels and tines rotate when the drive
safety control lever, labeled “REVERSE”, is pulled toward
the handlebar. Releasing the drive safety control levers to the
neutral position stops the wheels and tines. Do not operate
both drive safety control levers at the same time.

s Be extremely cautious when operating in reverse. Take extra

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

s5SE extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel

drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards or
traffic.

s!FTER 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.

s)FVEGITATION 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.

s%NGINE

bare skin or a severe burn may result.

s)F the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine

and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a
warning of trouble.

s$O not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are deadly.

s$O not overload the machine capacity by attempting to till too

deep at too fast a rate.

sNever operate the machine at high transport speeds on

slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care when backing.

will be hot from operation. Do not touch it with

Safety Rules

IMPORTANT

THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF
YOUR ROTOTILLER ARE DETER­MINED FROM THE OPERATING POSI­TION AS YOU FACE THE DIRECTION
OF FORWARD TRAVEL.

ENGINE IS SHIPPED FROM FACTORY
WITHOUT OIL. YOU MUST ADD EN­GINE OIL BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.

s.ever allow bystanders near the unit.

s5se only attachments and accessories approved by the

manufacturer of the tiller.

s.ever operate the tiller without good visibility or light.

s"E 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.

sTake all possible precautions when leaving the machine

unattended. Disengage all control levers, stop the engine,
wait for all moving parts to stop, and make certain guards
and shields are in place.

s7HEN leaving the operating position for any reason:

- shut off the engine.

- wait for all moving parts to stop.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

sKeep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe working

condition.

s#HEck shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, and other bolts at

frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure the equipment
is in safe working condition.

sTo prevent accidental starting, always disconnect and secure

the spark plug wire from the spark plug before performing tiller
maintenance.

s.ever run the engine indoors. %XHAUST fumes are deadly.

s!Lways allow

sNever store equipment with gasoline in the tank inside a closed

building where fumes may reach an open
the engine to cool before storing in any building.

s!Lways refer to the operator’s guide instructions for important

details if the tiller is to be stored for an extended period.

s!DD a fuel stabilizer to gas tank and run for 10-15 minutes to

prevent fuel from gumming up during an extended storage
period.

to cool before fuel tank.

or spark. !LLow

5

Safety Rules

Not for

Reproduction

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. 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 the safety 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.

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

Part No. 1716747SM

WARNING INSTRUCTIONS

Hood Decal

PLACE FREE

HAND HERE

Part No. 1716800SM

WARNING

Belt Cover Decal

Part No. 1716839SM

FREE HAND HERE

Bumper Guard Decal

6

Part No. 1716840SM

TINES DANGER

Hood Flap Decal

Your rototiller comes fully assembled except for a few parts. The fol-

Not for

Reproduction

lowing 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.

UNPACK TILLER

1. Open top of carton and remove handlebar assembly.

ap . Find parts2 cket. Parts packet contains:

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

:yb enihcam evomer dna notrac fo dne . Cut open3

a. Removing lock pins on wheels.
b. Roll tiller from carton.

ATTACH HANDLEBAR TO TILLER

1. Place handlebar stems on outside of lower handlebar mount and
align lower holes. (SEE FIGURE 1)

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

3. Start 3/8-16 nuts on each bolt.

4. Insert one 3/8-16 x 3/4” bolt for each side in upper holes.

5. Tighten all 3/8-16 nuts.

Unpacking and Assembly

IMPORTANT

THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF YOUR
ROTOTILLER ARE DETERMINED FROM
THE OPERATING POSITION AS YOU
FACE THE DIRECTION OF FORWARD
TRAVEL.

ENGINE IS SHIPPED FROM FACTORY
WITHOUT OIL. YOU MUST ADD ENGINE
OIL BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.

TILLER TRANSMISSION IS SHIPPED
FROM FACTORY WITH THE PROPER
AMOUNT OF LIQUID GREASE.

!

CAUTION

DO NOT TRY TO LIFT THE ROTOTILLER FROM THE
CARTON.

DO NOT ADD ENGINE OIL INTO GEAR CASE DIP­STICK HOLE.

gear case

dipstick

FILL ENGINE CRANKCASE

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.

3/8-16

nuts

NO ENGINE OIL!

lower handlebar

mount

height

adjustment

holes

FIGURE 1

3/8-16 x 3/4”

bolts

gear case

dipstick hole

handlebar

stem

7

Features

Not for

Reproduction

forward & reverse cable

forward drive safety control lever

reverse drive safety control lever

bumper guard

recoil start

depth regulator lever

detent pin

belt guard

wheel lock pin

serial number plate

8