Troy-Bilt 12065 User Manual

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Page 1

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TRaV^-BILT

Owner/Operator Manual

___ ___ _

TUFFY Tiller

• Safety

• Assembly

• Controls

• Operation

• Maintenance

Models

12060 12065

Page 2

Dear Owner,

You now own one of the finest reartine rototillers available. Your new TUFFY® Model tiller allows you to till and cultivate your garden with ease, and accomplish dozens of other property management projects as well. Your tiller is famous for its ruggedness, perfor mance and high-quality engineering. We know you’ll enjoy using it.

Please carefully read this Manual. It tells you how to safely and easily assem ble, operate and maintain your machine.

Be sure that you and any other operators carefully follow the recommended safety

practices at all times. Failure to do so

could result in personal injury or prop erty damage.

Of course, if you should ever have any problems or questions, or for a free re placement copy of this Manual, please contact your local authorized service dealer or call us Toll-Free. Our tele phone numbers and mailing addresses are listed on Page 4 and on the back cover of this Manual.

We want to be sure that you are com pletely satisfied at all times.

This is a safety alert

symbol. It is used in this Owner/Operator Manual to alert you

this symbol, read and obey the safety message that follows it.

Failure to obey the safety message could result in personal injury or property damage.

to potential hazards. Whenever you see

Be Sure To Return Your Warrant)

Registration Card

Be sure to fill out and mail your Warranty

Registration Card, which is

located in your

literature pack age. The infor

mation contained on this: card will register your ma chine with us and entitle you to full coverage under our Troy-Bilt Full

No-Time-Limit Warranty.

NOTE: An Ownership Transfer Card is included in this Manual. This card should be filled out and returned to us ONLY if you trans fer ownership of your machine to someone else.

i'll;.

This machine meets voluntary safety stan dard B71.8 - 1986, which is sponsored by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc., and is published by the American National Standards Institute.

WARNING:

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth de fects, or other reproduc tive harm.

Page 3

Owner’s Record

Please write tlie Model and Serial numbers of your machine in the spaces provided. You can find the location of these numbers by refer ring to the illustration below.

Model Number:

Serial Number:

Model and Serial Number location

SERVICE INFORMATION

...................................................................

SECTION 1: SAFETY........................................................................ 5

Training............................................................................ 5

Preparation ......................................................................

Operation Maintenance and Storage

Decals.............................................................................. 7

.........................................................................6

......................................................

SECTION 2: ASSEMBLY.................................................................. 8

SECTION 3: FEATURES ANO CONTROLS

Tiller Features and Controls Identification

Engine Features and Controls Identification................................14

....................................

..................................

SECTION 4: OPERATION.................................................................15

Break-In Operation............................................................. 15

Pre-Start Checklist.............................................................. 16

Starting and Stopping the Engine.........................................16-17

Tilling Depths.................................................................... 17

Guiding the Tiller

Moving the Tiller Forward.....................................................17

Moving the Tiller Rearward

Turning the Tiller Around...................................................... 18

Tilling in the Garden............................................................18

Seedbed Preparation...........................................................18

Cultivating

Power Composting

Fligh-Traction Frame Weights

Preventing Tines from Becoming Tangled

Tilling on Slopes................................................................. 20

Terrace Gardening.............................................................. 20

Loading and Unloading the Tiller

...............................................................

...................................................

.......................................................................

.............................................................

................................................

..................................

............................................

17 17

19 19 19 20

SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS.......................................22

Required Maintenance Schedule.............................................22

Regular Maintenance.......................................................... 23

Tiller Lubrication................................................................ 23

Checking and Adding Engine Oil..............................................23

Changing Engine Oil............................................................ 24

Checking and Topping Off Transmission Gear Oil

Changing Transmission Gear Oil..............................................25

Checking for Oil Leaks..........................................................26

Air Cleaner Maintenance

Engine Cooling System Maintenance Engine ignition System Maintenance

Spark Plug Maintenance....................................................... 26

Carburetor Adjustments.......................................................26

Tightening Tiller Hardware

Bolo Tines........................................................................27

Removing and Installing Tine Assemblies

Removing and Installing Individual Tines....................................27

Checking and Adjusting Belt Tension

Belt Removal and Replacement

Forward Clutch Bail Replacement............................................29

Removing and Installing the Forward Clutch Cable........................29

Tiller Storage

....................................................................

......................................................

........................................

....................................................

........................................

..............................................

..........................

...................................

26 26 26

27 27 28

TROUBLESHOOTING.......................................................................31

TILLER & ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

.............................................

INDEX.................................................................................................33

NO-TIME-LIMIT WARRANTY............................................Back Cover

6 7

Page 4

If you have any

HOWTO

REACH

U.S.A.

GARDEN V/VAY

INCORPORATED.

102tidSt.&

9th Ave..

Troy, N.Y.

12180

U.S.A.

Mon.-Fri.,

8 A.M.to 7 P.M.

Saturday

9 A.M. to 4 P.M.

..mumimm..........

Canada

GARDEN WAY

INCORPORATED.

320 Van Sickle Rd..

Unit 12,

St Catherines. Out.

L2R 6P/

Canada

Mon.-Fri..

8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Questions or Problems...

...Please contact your local TROY-BILT® Tiller authorized dealer or call or write the Factory. When calling or writing, please be sure to provide the Model and Serial

Numbers of your machine (refer to Page 3).

If You Need Engine Service:

If your engine should ever require service or re- ,==.===

pair, contact your nearest authorized engine service dealer.

To find the name and address of your nearest authorized engine service dealer, look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book under

............

.1!%.

“Engines-Gasoline” (call us if you need assistance in obtaining en gine service or parts).

Please remember that your engine is covered by the engine manufac turer’s Limited Warranty. Any unauthorized work performed on the engine during the warranty pe riod may void the warranty. For full details on the engine manufac turer’s Limited Warranty, refer to the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.

U.S.A.

(Toll Free)

For Technical

Service;

1-800-520-5520

For Parts

Service:

1-800-648-6776

International

calls:

518-391-7000

Canada

(Toll Free)

For Technical

Service and Parts

Service:

1-800-225-3585

If You Need Parts:

Factory specified replacement parts for your machine are available from either your TROY-BILT® Tiller autho rized dealer or directly from the Factory.

To order a part from the Factory, refer to your separate Parts Catalog to find the part

number, description, and quantity

of the part you need. Then,

call or write our Parts

Department, being sure to

provide the Model and

Serial Numbers of your

machine. Our trained parts special

ists will gladly assist you if

you have any difficulty in

identifying the part that you need.

Page 5

Sectio

Please read and follow all of the safety rules in this Safety Seclion. Failure to comply could result in serious personal injury or prop erty damage.

If you should lend this equipment to another person, make sure that he or she reads, understands, and always follows these safety in structions.

It you are not completely sure about any of the information found here or elsewhere in the Manual, please contact either your local authorized dealer or the

factory tor assistance.

WARNING TO ALL CALIFORNIA

AND OTHER POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

Under California law, and under the laws of several other states,

you are not permitted to operate an internal combustion engine

using hydrocarbon fuels on any forest-covered, brush-cov

ered, or grass-covered land, or on land covered with grain,

hay, or other flammable agricultural crop, without an en

gine spark arrester in continuous effective working order.

The engine on your power equipment, like most outdoor power equipment, is an

internal combustion engine that burns gasoline, a hydrocarbon fuel. Therefore,

your power equipment must be equipped with a spark arrester muffler in continu

ous effective working order. The spark arrester must be attached to the engine exhaust system in such a manner that flames or heat from the system will not ig nite flammable material. Failure of the owner/operator of the equipment to com ply with this regulation is a misdemeanor under California law, and may also be a

violation of other state and/or federal regulations, laws, ordinances, or codes.

Contact your local fire marshal or forest service for specific information about

what regulations apply in your area. Contact your authorized engine dealer for in formation about obtaining a spark arrester.

TRAINING

This is a safety alert symbol. It is used

in this Owner/ Oper ator Manual and on your equipment to alert you to poten tial hazards.

Whenever you see this symboi. read and obey the safety

message that fol

lows it. Failure to obey those safety

messages could re sult in serious per sonal injury or cause property damage.

1. Rc;ui llii.'' ()u iier/Operator

\huuMl ;iiul ilk' ^гparate Engine Owner's Manua carefully before operating this equipment. Be com pletely familiar with the controls ami ilie prnper Use of this equipmeni. Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls quickly.

2. \e\er allow children or un named adults to operate this equip ment.

3. Keep I lie aie; of operation clear of all persons, particularly small elnldivn and pels. Keep bystanders at least 2.S feel -ovay from the area of operai ion.

OPERATING AREi

4. Familiarize yourself with all of the safety and operating decals on this equipment and on any of its

attachments or accessories.

5. Do not run engine in an en closed area. Engine exhaust con tains carbon monoxide gas, a deadly poison that is odorless, col orless, and tasteless. Do not oper ate this equipment near buildings, windows, or air conditioners.

6. Do not allow hands or any other part of the body or clothing near the rotating tines or near any other moving part. The tines begin to rotate forward once the engine starts and the Forward Clutch Bail is engaged.

A WARNING

Page 6

7. Before inspecting or servicing any part of the equipment, shut off the engine, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect the spark plug wire

from the spark plug and move wire away from the spark plug.

8. Do not operate this equipment if you are under the influence of alcohol, medication, or when you are tired or ill.

9. Keep in mind ihai ihe operator or user is responsible for accidents or hazards occurring to other peo

ple, their property, and themselves.

PREPARATION

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the tiller will be used. Re move foreign objects before tilling.

2. Make sure that all control levers are released and both wheels are in Wheel Drive position before start ing the engine.

3. Do not operate the tiller without wearing suitable clothing. Avoid loose garments or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts of the tiller or its engine.

OPERATION

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

2. Use extreme caution when on or crossing driveways, walks or roads. Be alert for hidden hazards or traf fic. Do not carry passengers.

3. If you hit a foreign object, stop the engine, let all moving parts come to a complete stop, discon nect spark plug wire, move wire away from the spark plug, and in spect for damage. Repair damage before restarting.

4. Exercise caution to avoid slip ping or falling.

4. Do not operate the tiller when you are barefoot, in sandals, sneakers or other light footwear. Wear shoes that grip well on slippery surfaces.

5. Do not till near underground electric cables, telephone lines, pipes, or hoses. Contact your tele phone or utility to verify locations of underground cables or lines.

6. Handle gasoline with care; it is highly flammable, and has explo sive vapors.

a. Use an approved gas container. b. Gas caps shall never be re

moved or fuel added with en gine running. Engine shall be

5. If abnormal tiller vibration oc curs, stop engine immediately, dis connect the spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Check for the cause. Carefully in spect for any damage. Eix the prob lem before using the tiller again.

6. Stop the engine, dis connect the spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug before leaving the operating position, unclogging tines, or making repairs, adjust ments or inspections.

7. Before leaving tiller unattended, make sure that all control levers are released, stop engine, and disconnect

spark plug wire and move wire away

from plug to prevent accidental

starting. Be sure both wheels are

in the WHEEL DRIVE position.

8. Before cleaning, repairing or in

specting, stop the engine, let all

moving parts stop, and disconnect

allowed to cool before refuel ing. Operators shall not smoke.

c. Keep matches, cigarettes,

cigars, pipes, open flames, or sparks away from the fuel tank and fuel container.

d. Eill fuel tank outdoors using

extreme caution. Never add fuel indoors. Use a funnel or spout to prevent spillage.

e. Replace fuel caps securely and

clean up fuel spills before starting the engine.

7. Never attempt to make any ad justments while the engine is run ning or the spark plug wire is con nected, except when so instructed.

spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

9. The flap on the tine hood must be down when operating tiller.

10. Never operate the tiller unless safety guards or other protective devices are in place.

11. Do not run the engine in an en closed area. Engine exhaust con tains carbon monoxide gas, a deadly poison that is odorless, col orless, and tasteless.

12. Keep children and pets away.

13. Never operate the tiller under engine power if the wheels are in the FREEWHEEL position. In FREEWHEEL, the wheels will not hold the tiller back and the revolv ing tines could propel the tiller rapidly, possibly causing loss of control. Always engage the wheels with the Wheel Drive Pins in WHEEL DRIVE position be fore starting the engine or engag

Page 7

ing the tines with the Forward Clutch Bail.

14. The tiller could unexpectedly bounce upward or jump forward and be propelled away from you if the tines strike or catch very hardpacked soil, sod, frozen ground, or any buried obstacle such as large stones or roots. If in doubt about tilling conditions, use the follow ing precautions to assist you in maintaining tiller control:

a. Walk behind and on either

side of the tiller, using one hand on the handlebars. Relax your arm, but use a se cure hand grip.

b. Use shallow depth regulator

settings, gradually working deeper with each tilling pass.

c. Use slower engine speeds. d. Clear the tilling area of big

stones, roots and other debris.

e. Avoid putting downward pres

sure on the handlebars. If necessary, apply slight upward pressure to prevent the tines from digging too deeply.

f. Avoid contacting hard-packed

soil or sod at the end of a row by reducing engine speed and

lifting handlebars up to raise tines out of the soil,

g. In an emergency, stop tines

and wheels by releasing the Forward Clutch Bail. Do not attempt to restrain the tiller.

15. Do not overload the machine capacity by trying to till too deeply at too fast a rate.

16. Never use the tiller at high ground speeds on slippery surfaces.

17. Do not operate tiller on a slope too steep for safety. On slopes, slow down and be sure you have good footing. Don’t let the tiller “freewheel” down slopes.

18. Clear the area of bystanders be fore tilling.

19. Use only attachments and ac cessories approved by Garden Way Incorporated.

20. Use tiller attachments and ac cessories when recommended.

21. Never operate the tiller without good visibility or light.

22. Never operate the tiller if you are fatigued, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.

23. Operators shall not tamper with the engine-governor settings on the machine; the governor controls the maximum safe operating speed and protects the engine and all moving parts from damage caused by over speed. Authorized service shall be sought if a problem exists.

24. Do not touch engine parts that may be hot from operation (muffler,

fins, etc.). Make certain all parts

have cooled down before inspect ing, cleaning or repairing.

25. Remember—^To stop the tines and wheels, release the Forward Clutch Bail.

26. Look behind and exercise cau tion when backing up.

27. To load or unload the tiller from a vehicle, see complete in

structions in Section 4.

MAINTENANCE AND

STORAGE

1. Never perform maintenance when engine is running or spark plug wire is connected except when specifically directed to do so.

2. Keep tiller, attachments and ac cessories in safe working condition.

3. Check all nuts, bolts, and screws frequently for proper tightness. Always verify your equipment is in safe working condition.

4. Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a build ing where fumes may reach an open flame or spark, or where igni tion sources are present (such as hot water and space heaters, fur naces, clothes dryers, etc.).

5. Let the engine cool down before storing it in an enclosure.

SAFETY DECALS

Make certain that all safety decals on this equipment are kept clean and in good condition. There are other decals located on your equipment for operation and

6. To reduce fire hazard possibili ties, keep the engine free of grass, leaves or grease.

7. Store gasoline in a cool, wellventilated area, safely away from any spark- or flame-producing equipment. Store gasoline in an approved container, safely out of the reach of children.

8. Refer to the Maintenance sec tion in this Manual for storage in formation if your tiller is to be stored for an extended period.

controls identification. If you need a replacement decal, please refer to the Parts Catalog that accompa nied this Manual.

Page 8

Section

Please carefully follo'-v the steps in this Section to pioperiy assemble your new machine. These steps wiil

not take very long and they wiii as sure you of having assembled your

machine correctly.

WARNING

To prevent personal injury or prop erty (lamacje. do not attempt to start the engine until all assemlily steps are complete and you have

read and understand the safety and operating instructions in this

Manual.

Tools Needed:

One 3/8" Open End or

Adjustable Wrench

Two 7/16" Open End or

Adjustable Wrenches

Two 9/16" Open End or

Adjustable Wrenches

Funnel (to add oil)

Rag (to clean up any

spilled oil)

Block of Wood (to support

liller v.'hen removing wheei)

Ruler (for belt tension check)

1. Package Inspection

Inspect carton and its contents upon delivery for evidence of damage.

If you find or suspect any damage, contact the carrier (trucking com

pany) immediately. Inform them

of the specific damage and that you wish to file a claim. To pro tect your rights, be sure to put this in writing to the carrier within 15 days after your machine arrives. The carrier will let you know how to proceed with your claim. Please let us know if you need any assistance with this matter.

.»y £r^'

FIG. 2-1. Place screw on fop of tem plate and measure distance between bottom of screw head and tip of screw.

2. Package Contents

NOTE: Wait until you have as sembled the handlebars before moving the tiller off the shipping platform.

Carefully unpack the carton and check that you have received the items listed below. If any items are missing or damaged, please con tact us for replacements.

• Tiller/Engine Assembly

• Handlebar Support (see A, Fig.

2-2).

• Handlebar Assembly (see L, Fig. 2-2).

• Handlebar Panel (see K, Fig.

2-2).

• Hardware bag - includes:

NOTE: Use screw length tem plate (Fig. 2-1) to identify screws.

• (1) Slotted hd. screw, #10-24 X 2" long

• (6) Curved head screws,

5/16"-18x 1-1/2” long

• (1) Hex hd. screw,

l/4"-20x 1-1/4" long

• (2) Hex hd. screws,

3/8"-16x3/4" long

• (4) Hex hd. self-threading

screws, l/4"-20x 1/2" long

• (2) Flat washers, 3/8"

• (6) Split Lockwashers, 5/16"

• (1) Hex locknut, l/4"-20

• (6) Hex nuts, 5/16”-18

• (2) Hex locknuts, 3/8"-16

• (1) Cable spring

• (1) Cable bracket (see R, Fig. 2-4).

IMPORTANT: Motor oil must be added to the engine before it is started! The oil fitting proce dure is exptained in Step 7.

Page 9

NOTE: “LEFT” and “RIGHT”

sides of tiller are as viewed from

the operator’s position behind the handlebars.

3. Attach the Handlebar

1. Attach the legs of the handlebar

support (A, Fig. 2-2) loosely to the inner sides of the tiller frame using two 3/8"-16 X 3/4" hex hd. screws (B), 3/8" flat washers (C) and 3/8"-

16 hex locknuts (D).

2. Using the middle holes in the

handlebar support brackets (E and F, Fig. 2-2), loosely attach the sup port brackets to the handlebar sup port (A) using two 5/16"-18 X 1-

1/2" curved hd. screws (G), 5/16"

split lockwashers (H) and 5/16"-

18 hex nuts (I). NOTE: If a sup

port bracket will not move, loosen attaching screw (J) and nut.

3. Attach the handlebar panel (K, Fig. 2-2) to the handlebar assem bly (L) using four l/4"-20 X 1/2"

self-threading screws (M). Tighten

the four screws securely.

4. Attach the handlebar assembly

(L) to the handlebar support (A) using four 5/16"-18x 1-1/2" curved hd. screws (G), 5/16" split lockwashers (H) and 5/16"-18 hex nuts (I). Tighten the four screws

securely.

5. Tighten all handlebar mounting hardware securely.

4. Move Tiller Off Shipping

Platform

To roll the tiller without the engine running, the wheels must be placed in their FREEWHEEL po

sition, as described below.

1. Use a sturdy block to raise one

wheel off the ground.

2. Remove the hair pin cotter (N, Fig. 2-3) and clevis pin (O). Slide the wheel inward on the axle (P)

and reinstall the clevis pin and hair pin cotter through the axle only

Fig. 2-2: Assemble handlebar.

(not through the wheel hub). Repeat with the other wheel.

3. Using the handlebar as a lever, roll the tiller to a flat area.

IMPORTANT: Before starting the tiller’s engine, the wheels must be placed in their WHEEL DRIVE position (pins through wheel hubs and axle). This procedure is de scribed in “Wheel Drive Pins” on Pages 12-13 in Section 3.

Fig. 2-3: Wheel in FREEWHEELING position.

Page 10

5. Install Wheel Drive Cable

1. Place the cable bracket (R, Fig.

2-4) on the handlebar support (A) as shown.

2. Attach the cable bracket using a

1/4"-20 X 1-1/4" hex hd. screw (S,

Fig. 2-4) and l/4"-20 hex locknut (T). Tighten securely.

3. Unwrap the forward clutch cable (U, Fig. 2-4) from around the en gine and slide the thin cable wire into the slot in the cable bracket. Push the cable connector (V, Fig. 2-4) up through the hole in the bracket until the groove in the con nector snaps into place on the bracket.

4. Insert the #10-24 x 2" slotted hd.

screw (W, Fig. 2-5) into the cable spring (X).

5. Thread the screw (W) into the cable adjuster (Y).

6. Hook the cable spring (X) into

the “V”-shaped bend in the for ward clutch bail (Z, Fig. 2-6).

7. Lift and hold the forward clutch bail

against the handlebar. See Fig. 2-7.

8. Measure the distance between the coils of the cable spring (Fig. 2-7). The length should be approx imately 1-7/8”. If the length is in correct, you will have to make an adjustment to the cable tension as described in “Checking and Ad

justing Belt Tension” on Page 28.

Fig. 2-5:

Assemble spring

and adjuster.

W-

Y-

Page 11

6. Check Level of Transmission Gear Oil

The transmission was filled with gear oil prior to being shipped. However, you should check the gear oil level to make certain it is correct.

1. With the tiller on level ground,

pull the Depth Regulator Lever (AA, Fig. 2-8) back and then all the way up until the lowest notch in the lever is engaged.

2. Remove the plastic fill plug

(BB, Fig. 2-9) from the transmis sion housing and look into the filler hole.

3. Inside the hole there is a grooved worm (CC, Fig. 2-10) on the drive shaft. If the gear oil level is correct, the gear oil should be approximately half way up the sides of the worm.

4. If the gear oil level is low, add

gear oil by referring to “Checking and Topping off Transmission Gear Oil” on Page 24. DO NOT OPERATE TILLER IF GEAR OIL LEVEL IS LOW. SEVERE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION WIEL RESULT.

Fig. 2-8: Adjust Depth Regulator Lever.

Fig. 2-9: Remove gear oil fill plug.

lO NÛ

c>—b

Fig. 2-10: Gear oil should be half

way up sides of worm.

7. Add Motor Oil to Engine

The tiller is shipped without oil in the engine. PERMANENT EN GINE DAMAGE WILL RESULT IF THE ENGINE IS RUN WITH OUT OIL.

1. Refer to the Engine Owner’s

Manual (supplied with tiller) for engine oil specifications and capacities.

2. With the tiller on level ground,

pull the Depth Regulator Lever

(AA, Eig. 2-8) back and then all

the way up until the lowest notch

in the lever is engaged.

3. Unscrew the engine oil fill plug (DD, Fig. 2-11). Using a clean funnel, slowly add oil until the oil

level reaches the overflow point in the oil fill tube. ALWAYS

MAINTAIN THE OIL LEVEL AT THE OVERFLOW POINT.

4. Securely replace the oil fill plug.

8. Check Hardware for Tightness

Check all nuts and screws for tightness.

IMPORTANT: Before operating your tiller, make sure you read the following Sections in this Manual, as well as the separate Engine Owner’s Manual;

• Section 1: “Safety”

• Section 3: “Tiller and Engine

Controls”

• Section 4; “Operation”

Fig. 2-11: Add motor oil to engine.

Page 12

Section

Learn the locations of the tealiires

and controls on your machine

before starting the engine. Taking the time now to understand the lo cation. function and operation of these controls v.'lll greatly add to the productive use. safe operation, and enjoyment of your machine. For detailed step-by-step operating

instructions, please refer to "Section ■ 1; Operation."

TILLER FEATURES AND CONTROLS IDENTIFICATION

The major tiller controls and features are identified and illustrated on the next few pages. The use and operation of each control and feature is cov ered in detail in Section 4 “Operating Instructions.”

A WARNING

TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT:

Before using your tiller for the first time, become thoioughiy fa miliar with the operation of the controls by moving them to their various positions while the en gine is not running. The proper operation of each control is dis cussed in detaii in Section 4.

NOTE:

All references to left, right, front and rear of the machine are determined by standing behind the

handlebars and facing the direction

of forv/ard travel.

Figure 3-1: A- Wheel Drive Pins; B- Forward dutch Baii; C- Depth

Regulator Lever; D- Handlebar Height Adjustment; E- Engine Throttie Lever; F- Engine Choke Lever; G- Engine Recoii Starter.

A) Wheel Drive Pins

These two pins (one on each side of the wheel shaft), secure the wheels to the wheel shaft and can be positioned by you to put the wheels in either a WHEEL DRIVE or a FREEWHEEL mode.

Before starting the engine, put both wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position by inserting the Wheel Drive Pins through the holes in both the wheel shaft and wheel hub on both sides of the tiller. This “locks” the wheels to the wheel shaft, causing the wheels to turn when you engage the Forward Clutch Bail.

Use the FREEWHEEL position only when the engine is off. This

position lets you easily push or pull the tiller. To use FREE WHEEL, place the Wheel Drive

Pins only through the holes in the wheel shaft. This keeps the wheels on the shaft, but allows the wheels to rotate when you push or pull the tiller handlebar.

WARNING

Never let either of the wheels be in FREEWHEEL position when the engine is running. Always put both wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position before starting the engine.

Failure to comply could cause loss of tiller control, property damage, or personal injury.

Page 13

To Place Wheels in WHEEL DRIVE Position:

1. The engine must be shut off and cool. Disconnect spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug.

2. Raise one wheel off the ground and place a sturdy support under the transmission.

WARNING

Do not place tiller on its side when changing wheel drive positions or gasoline could leak from the fuel tank.

Failure to follow this instruc tion could result in personal injury or property damage.

3. Remove the hair pin cotter from

the wheel drive pin and pull out the wheel drive pin.

4. Slide the wheel outward and

align the holes in the wheel hub and wheel shaft. Insert the wheel drive pin through these holes (see Figure 3-2). Insert the straight leg of the hair pin cotter into the hole in the wheel drive pin as far as it will go.

5. Repeat the above steps for the other wheel, then remove the sup

port under the transmission.

To Place Wheels in FREEWHEEL Position:

1. Follow steps l-through-3 of “To

Place Wheels in WHEEL DRIVE

Position.”

2. Slide wheel inward on wheel

shaft as far as possible.

3. Insert wheel drive pin only

through the hole in the wheel shaft. Insert the straight leg of the hair

pin cotter into the wheel drive pin

as far as it will go. See Figure 3-3.

4. Repeat Steps l-through-3 for

the other wheel. Remove the sup port beneath the transmission.

B) Forward Clutch Bail

The Forward Clutch Bail (Photo

3-4) is used to engage or disengage (stop) the tiller wheels and tines.

WARNING

Before starting the engine, be sure that both wheels are in the WHEEL DRiVE position. See “Wheel Drive Pins” for instructions.

Failure to comply could result in ioss of tiller control, personal injury or property damage.

Operate the Forward Clutch Bail as described below:

1. Put the wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position.

2. Rest one hand, palm down, on

top of the handlebar.

3. Use the other hand to lift up and

hold the Forward Clutch Bail. See Photo 3-4. When the bail is in this position, the wheels/tines will rotate.

4. To stop forward motion of

wheels/tines, release the Forward Clutch Bail.

Photo 3-4: Operating the Forward Clutch Bail.

Page 14

Features ani Controls

C) Depth Regulator Lever

WARNING

Do not attempt to till too deeply too soon. Gradually work down to deeper tilling depths.

Failure to do so could result

in loss of tiller control, per sonal injury or property damage.

This lever controls the depth that the tines penetrate the soil (see Figure 3-5). Adjust the lever to change tilling depth by pulling back on it and moving the lever up (for deeper tilling) or down (for shallower tilling).

To place the tines in the “travel” position, move the lever down to the highest notch. This raises the tines above the ground and allows the tiller to be moved without till ing. Do not attempt to till too

deeply too soon. Begin tilling with the lever adjusted down in one of the shallower settings. Gradually increase tilling depth by moving the lever upward.

Figure 3-5: Depth Reguiator Lever.

D) Handlebar Height Adjustment

You can adjust the tiller handle bar height to any one of three posi tions. (See Figure 3-6.) As a gen

eral guide, adjust the handlebars so

they are at waist level when the

tines are 3"-to-4" into the soil.

WARNING

Before adjusting handlebar height, shut off the engine, let it cooi down, let all mov ing parts stop completely,

then disconnect the spark

plug wire and move it away

from the spark plug.

Failure to do so can cause per

sonal injury or property damage.

Figure 3-6: Handiebar adjustment offers three height settings.

ENGINE CONTROLS

WARNING

Release the Forward Clutch Bail before adjusting the Engine Throttie Lever.

Failure to comply could result in personal injury or property damage.

Figure 3-7: Engine Throttie Lever (“A”) adjusts engine speed. Engine Choke Lever (“B”) is used to assist

starting when engine is coid.

E) Engine Throttie Lever

Adjust this lever (see A, Figure

3-7) to start and stop the engine and to regulate engine speed.

• To increase engine speed, move the lever upward to FAST (Rabbit symbol) position.

• To decrease engine speed, move the lever down toward SLOW (Turtle symbol) position.

• To stop the engine, move the lever all the way down to STOP position.

• To start the engine, move

the lever to the FAST

(Rabbit symbol) position.

F) Engine Choke Lever

The Choke Lever (B,

Figure 3-7) allows a richer

air/gasoline mixture (more gasoline) to enter the engine cylinder to make starting a

cold engine easier. The lever has three settings: FULL

Photo 3-8: The Engine Recoii Starter rope is used to start the engine.

CHOKE, PARTIAL CHOKE and NO CHOKE.

Detailed instructions for using

the Choke Lever are provided in the Operation Section (Section 4).

G) Engine Recoil Starter

The Engine Recoil Starter (refer to Photo 3-8) is used to start the engine. For full instructions on the use of this control, see Section 4.

Page 15

Section

• Break-In Operation

• Pre-Start Checklist

As with any other piece of outdoor

powered equipment, getting the

• Starting the Engine

• Stopping the Engine

“feel” for how your machine oper ates and getting to know the best techniques for particular jobs are very important to overall good per formance.

Read this Section very thoroughly

before you start the engine. The

instructions given here will help you familiarize yourself

wth

your ma

• Guiding The Tiller

• Tilling Depths

• Moving the Tiller Forward

• Moving the Tiller Rearward

• Turning the Tiller Around

chine and have you operating it ef fectively in a short time.

A WARNING

Before operating your machine,

be sure you read and understand ail safety, controls, and all operating instructions in this Owner/Operator Manual and on the decals on your machine.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious injury or property damage.

NOTE: Ail references to left, right, front and rear of the machine are de termined by standing behind the

handiebars and facing the direction of forward travel.

This Section

Break-In Operation

ing maintenance during the first few hours of new tiller operation. Refer to the Maintenance Section for regularly scheduled mainte nance procedures.

1. Change engine oil after the first two hours of new tiller operation.

2. Check the transmission gear oil level after the first two hours of operation.

3. Check the tension on the for ward drive belt after the first 2-to-3 hours of operation.

4. After the first two hours of op eration, check all fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws) for tightness.

explains:

Tilling in the Garden Seedbed Preparation Cultivating

Power Composting “High Traction” Frame Weights Preventing Tangling on Tines Tilling on Slopes Terrace Gardening Loading/Unloading the Tiller

Be sure to perform the follow

Page 16

Pre-Start Checklist

Move the tiller to a level area,

then make the following checks

and perform the following services

before starting the engine.

1. Disconnect Spark Plug Wire.

Starting the Engine

1. Do not engage (hold) the

Forward Clutch Bail against the handlebar.

2. Both wheels must be in the

WHEEL DRIVE position (see Figure 3-2).

2. Check Engine Oil Level.

3. Check the Air Cleaner. It must be securely assembled and clean.

4. Check Safety Guards. All

guards and covers must be fastened

securely in place.

5. Check Engine Cooling System.

The cooling fins and air intake screen must be clear of debris.

6. Adjust Handlebar Height.

7. Check that the Wheels are in the WHEEL DRIVE position.

8. Put Gasoline in the Fuel Tank.

Use fresh, clean, unleaded fuel. Fuel goes stale if stored for more

than six months. Do Not Mix Oil

With Gasoline!

a. Clean the fuel cap area before

removing the fuel cap. h. Use a clean funnel to add gas.

c. Fill tank to within 1/2” of the

top to prevent spills and allow for fuel expansion.

3. Move the Choke Lever to the FULL CHOKE position. (An en gine which is warm from operation may start without moving the

Choke Lever at all.)

4. Move the Engine Throttle Lev

er fully up to FAST (Rabbit) posi

tion which is used for starting.

9. Put Depth Regulator Lever in the “travel” position.

WARNING

Always place both wheels in the WHEEL DRIVE position before starting the engine.

Never have the wheels in the FREEWHEEL position when the engine is running. When the wheels are in FREE WHEEL, they do not hold hack the tiller, and the tines could propel the tiller forward rapidly.

Failure to comply could result

in serious personal injury or

property damage.

5. Place your left hand on the

gasoline tank to stabilize the tiller when starting.

6. Use your right hand to slowly

pull the recoil starter rope until you

feel resistance. Then rapidly pull the starter rope outward. (First check for any obstacles behind you.) Repeat until the engine starts.

?■ - '_______

■■■

■ 'W

■V.#

Photo 4-2: Pull Recoil Start Rope out rapidly to start engine.

7. Once the engine is running, grad ually move the Choke Lever to the NO CHOKE position.

8. Move the Engine Throttle Lever to the position that provides the de sired engine speed.

10. Reconnect Spark Plug Wire.

^ DANGER

Do not run the engine in doors. Engine exhaust con tains carhon monoxide, a deadly gas that is colorless,

odorless and tasteless.

Failure to follow this instruc tion could result in serious

personal injury or property

damage.

DANGER

Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive. Follow these safety practices to prevent injury from fire or explosion:

• Never fill tank if engine is running or hot from use. Let engine and muffler cool down before refueling.

• Do not permit open flames, sparks, matches or smoking in fueling area.

• Fill fuel tank outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Wipe up any fuel spills and move tiller away from fumes before starting the engine.

• Use only an approved fuel container and lock it safely away from children.

• Store fuel and the tiller in a well-ventilated area. Do not store fuel or tiller where fuel vapors may reach an open flame or spark, or an igni tion source (a hot water heater, furnace, clothes dryer, electric motor, or the like).

• Let engine cool before storing.

Page 17

Stopping the Engine

1. Release the Forward Clutch Bail to stop the wheels and tines from turning.

2. Move Engine Throttle Lever to

STOP position to stop the engine.

NOTE; If moving the Engine

Throttle Lever to STOP does not shut off the engine, you can stop the engine by moving the Choke Lever to the FULL CHOKE posi tion. However, do not continue to stop the engine using the Choke Lever because doing so may dam age the engine. Repair the Engine Throttle Lever as soon as possible.

Guiding the Tiller

When tilling, relax and let the tiller move along at its own speed. Do not push the tiller to make it move faster. Do not push down on

the handlebars to make the tines

dig more deeply.

Walk beside the tiller on the un tilled side. Use one hand, yet keep a firm hand grip on the handlebar (while keeping your arm loose) to guide the tiller. Walking alongside keeps you from disturbing the newly tilled soil and replanting any weed seeds which the tines might have brought up to the surface. It is also easier to control the tiller in

hard or rocky soil if you walk be

side it guiding it with one hand. (Instead of walking behind it, con

trolling the tiller with two hands.)

Photo 4-3: Tilling With Just One Hand is recommended.

Tilling Depths

WARNING

Always begin tilling at a shal

low Depth Regulator Lever setting and gradually work down to deeper settings.

Failure to comply could result

in loss of tiller control, prop

erty damage or personal injury.

Do not try to till too deeply at first. Gradually raise the Depth Regulator Lever (one notch at a time) so the tiller digs slightly deeper with each pass. This allows thorough tilling and minimizes the chance of the tiller jumping or “bucking.”

When cultivating between rows, use a shallow Depth Regulator Lever setting. This will get rid of in-row weeds, but prevent the tines from digging deeply enough to damage plant roots.

Moving the Tiller Forward

IMPORTANT: Before you begin

tilling, move the tiller to a safe, level area and practice maneu vering the tiller w ithout actually tilling. Keep the Depth Regulator Lever in the “travel” position. After you become fa miliar with the handling of your tiller, you can move it into the garden and begin tilling.

1. Put the wheels in the WHEEL

DRIVE position (wheel pins must be through the wheel hubs and the

axle holes).

2. Start the engine.

3. Move the Depth Regulator Lever to the desired position.

4. For forward motion of the wheels and tines, lift and hold the Forward Clutch Bail against the handlebars. The wheels and tines will rotate as long as the bail is held in this position.

5. As the tiller moves forward, let the wheels pull the tiller along. Do not push the tiller to make it go faster. Allow the tiller to move

along at its own speed.

6. To stop the wheels and tines, re lease the Forward Clutch Bail. The engine will continue to run until

stopped by moving the Engine

Throttle Lever to the STOP position.

WARNING

Do not push down on the han dlebars to try to make the tiller till more deeply. This prevents the wheels from holding the tiller back and can allow the tines to rapidly propel the tiller forward, which could result in loss of control, property damage, or personal injury.

Moving the Tiller Rearward

The tiller weighs only 117

pounds, so it is quite easily maneu vered rearward for short distances by using the follow procedure:

1. Release the Forward Clutch

Bail.

2. Tilt the tiller slightly forward

until the tines are out of the soil.

3. Place both hands on the corners of the handlebars. Tilt the tiller

slightly to raise the right wheel off

the ground.

4. Slowly swing the handlebars to the left so the right wheel takes a “step” toward the rear.

5. Set the right wheel back down.

6. Now tilt the tiller so the left wheel is slightly off the ground and slowly move the handlebars to the right so the left wheel takes a

step backward.

7. Repeat to “walk” your tiller rearward.

Page 18

Turning the Tider Around

Practice turning your tiller in an

open, level area until you feel comfortable with the procedure.

1. As you near the end of a row,

lift the handlebars so the tines clear the ground. Refer to Photo 4-4.

2. As you come out of a row, swing the handlebars to the side, pivoting the tiller 180°, so you can line up with the next row. See Photo 4-5.

3. As the tiller enters the next row, lower the handlebars slowly until the tines start to till.

Tilling in the Garden

The following pages provide many ideas about using the tiller in the garden. You can often design

your garden layout to obtain the most beneficial use from your tiller.

‘J'.-v;.

Photo 4-4: Exiting a row in the garden.

Seedbed Preparation

Prior to planting, be sure the soil

is as loose and finely textured as

possible due to proper tilling.

About two or three weeks before planting, till the garden two or three times. Then, till once more before planting. This final tilling helps plants get a head start on fu ture weed growth.

When preparing the soil, go over the same path twice in the first row. Then overlap one-half the tilling width on each succeed ing pass. See Figure 4-6. After going up and down the rows in one direction, make a second pass at a right angle across your earlier rows. See Figure 4-7. Again, overlap each pass to really pulver ize the soil. (In very hard ground, three or four passes may be needed.)

If your garden isn’t long enough to till lengthwise and then cross wise, first overlap each pass by

Photo 4-5: Lining up the tiller to enter the next row.

Figure 4-6: Initial tilling pattern.

one-half a tilling width, followed by successive passes of one-quar ter a tilling width. See Figure 4-8.

Don't till when the soil is too wet.

This produces large clumps which later dry out and become hard. If the soil compresses eas ily into a ball, it is still too wet to be tilled.

Avoid Making Footprints

When tilling, al ways try to walk alongside the tiller on the side that is yet to be tilled. This pre vents replanting weed seeds and leaves a nice ap pearance.

Figure 4-8:

Tilling narrow

strips.

Page 19

Cultivating

When planning your garden, keep in mind that the tiller has a tilling width of approximately 14”. Allow at least this width between rows in your garden— plus addi tional width for plant growth. Take into account that bushy plants like beans and tomatoes need more width. Refer to Photo 4-9.

When cultivating, use a shallow Depth Regulator Lever setting. Do not cultivate deeper than l"-or-2".

Shallow cultivating keeps weed

growth to a minimum and doesn’t damage plant roots.

For best results, begin cultivat ing as soon as seedlings appear,

and then cultivate as often as once

a week. The day after a light rain is an excellent time to cultivate, as long as the plants are dry. Avoid

working in the garden when plants

are wet. Diseases, blight, and rust can be easily spread among wet plants with your hands, clothing or even the tiller.

helps replace any nutrients har vested (as vegetables), and also improves soil structure.

A simple method of power com

posting is to chop, blend and till under leafy crop residues, leaves, grass clippings and “green ma nure” crops. This organic matter will decompose and add important nutrients back into garden soil.

When composting, put the

Depth Regulator Lever at the deep est setting that does not allow the tiller to jump or cause the engine to labor.

CAUTION

When power composting, do not keep the Depth Regulator Lever at a deep setting if the tiller jumps or bucks.

If jumping or bucking occurs, move the Depth Regulator Lever down to one of the shallower settings and then slowly increase the tilling depth on later passes.

Failure to comply could result in loss of tiller control, prop erty damage or personal injury.

Till crop residues back into the soil as soon as the vegetables are harvested. Green, tender crops are more easily tilled.

Since the tiller is a compara tively lightweight machine, we don’t recommend it for power composting large standing crops such as cornstalks. However, you can uproot the leftover green corn stalks, run them through a shred der, or chop them into smaller pieces and then scatter them on your garden. This allows you to power compost them back into the soil.

After tilling under crop residues, you can plant a cover crop such as buckwheat, annual ryegrass, peas, or beans to protect your garden soil. This builds soil, adds nutri ents to the garden and helps con trol soil erosion.

High-Traction Frame Weights

The “High-Traction” Frame Weight Kit is a handy accessory for your tiller. This kit consists of two 13-1/2 lb. cast iron weights which attach to the tiller frame right above each wheel axle.

V ■

Photo 4-9: Cultivating within rows.

Power Composting

To keep your garden productive,

regularly till organic matter back into the soil (Photo 4-10). This

To till very heavy soil or im prove tiller traction, the weights are what you need. The weights allow you to till under tougher conditions and till deeper at a

somewhat faster rate.

V- i- ^

Photo 4-10: Power Composting “feeds” your garden.

Page 20

Preventing Tines From Becoming Tangled

When power composting, you

may find that the tines become tan gled with material (tall vegetation, long grass, tough vines, etc.).

WARNING

Before removing any debris from the tines, stop the en gine, allow it to cool, discon nect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark piug.

Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

To help prevent tangling:

1. While tilling, swing the handle

bars from side-to-side about 6”-to-

12". This “fishtailing” action will

often dislodge any debris.

2. Always use the deepest Depth Regulator Lever setting possible (without making the tiller jump or buck upward).

3. Till under cover crops and crop residues while they are still green.

4. Shred or chop up any tall, tough, or stringy organic matter before tilling it into the soil.

5. You may have to mow or cut vegetation before power composting.

6. If the tines are heavily tangled, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Then, cut away any debris.

Tilling on Siopes

Plant your garden preferably on flat ground, but certainly on no more than a moderate slope. Do not operate the tiller on a slope that is too steep for safe operation.

Plant garden rows vertically on a slope (up and down the slope). This lets you use the entire area for a seedbed and leaves enough room between the rows for cultivation. You lose these valuable benefits when you terrace garden (dis cussed later).

If you put enough organic mate

rial into your garden’s soil to im prove its water-holding capabili ties, you should not have a prob lem with soil erosion.

When you begin to till vertically

on a slope, start at the bottom and go up. The tines dig in more deeply when you go uphill than when you go downhill. As you turn around at the top to go back down the hill, overlap the uphill pass by about half the tilling width.

WARNING

Do not operate the tiller on a slope that is too steep for safe operation. Till slowly and be sure that you have good footing.

oil level is full to the point of over

flow from the oil check tube before

starting to till. Also check the oil

level every thirty minutes while you’re tilling on a slope.

Terrace Gardening

If your garden is too steep or too short for vertical tilling, you may have to till across the slope. To achieve best results, use your tiller to create terraces for your garden.

Make the terrace 2-to-3 feet wide. You can plant one or two rows of plants in each terrace and later till the plants under. However, you may not have enough room to use the tiller for cultivating. If you make the ter race too wide, you would have to dig as much as a foot into the up hill side of the terrace and would end up trying to grow plants in poor subsoil.

Start to terrace at the top of the slope and work down. Always keep the uphill wheel in soft, newly tilled soil. Start each suc ceeding terrace by walking below the terrace you are preparing. In three or four passes you can create a terrace wide enough for planting.

Leave at least a 12" wide un tilled space between terraces. Keeping the soil unbroken here will help prevent the terraces from breaking apart. Refer to the next page - see Figure 4-12 - for im portant information on making ter race gardens.

Photo 4-11: Cutting tangled tines.

Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

NOTE: When you till on a slope,

the oil level in the tiller engine

slants toward the downhill side of

the engine. Some internal parts may not get enough oil. To pre vent this, make sure that the engine

Page 21

UPHILL

12" UNTILLED

REPEAT

DOWNHILL

Figure 4-12: Creating a terrace in just three passes with the tiller.

Loading and Unloading

the Tiller

CAUTION

Loading and unloading a tiller into or from a vehicle is potentially hazardous. We do not recommend that you do so unless absolutely neces sary because this could result in personal injury or property damage.

If loading or unloading must be undertaken, use the fol lowing guidelines to assist you.

• Shut the tiller engine off before loading or unloading. Allow the tiller engine to cool, disconnect the

spark plug wire and prevent the

wire from touching the spark plug.

• The tiller is too heavy (over 115 lbs.) and bulky to be safely lifted by one person. If you do lift the tiller, two or more people should share the load.

• We recommend that you use sturdy ramps and that you manu ally roll the tiller into or out of the vehicle (tiller engine must be off). This requires the assistance of an other person.

• Ramps should be strong enough to support the tiller and those mov ing it. The ramps should provide good traction; they should have side rails to guide the tiller up and down the ramps; and they should have a locking device to secure them to the vehicle bed.

• The operator and handlers should wear sturdy footwear that grips well to prevent slips.

• Position the vehicle so the ramp angle is as flat as possible. Turn the vehicle engine off and apply

the vehicle parking brake.

•

• When going UP ramps, stand in the normal operating position and push the tiller ahead of you. Position a person at each wheel to turn the wheels.

• When going DOWN ramps, walk backward down the ramps with the tiller following you. Keep

alert for and avoid any obstacles which could cause you to fall.

Position a person at each wheel to control the speed of the tiller. Never go down ramps tiller-first, because the tiller could tip for ward.

• Have wood blocks handy to place on the downhill sides of the wheels if you need to stop the tiller from rolling down the ramps while loading or unloading. Use the blocks to temporarily keep the tiller in place on the ramps while you get a firmer grip on the han dlebars, reposition the tiller, etc. Also use the block to keep the wheels in place after tieing down the tiller.

• After positioning the tiller in the vehicle, be sure both wheels are engaged in the WHEEL DRIVE position to prevent the tiller from moving. Then securely tie down the tiller.

Page 22

Section

]

Carefully read this Section on en gine and tiller maintenance and service. Performing the required mainte nance according to schedule will ensure the proper performance and long life of your machine.

A CAUTION

Before inspecting, cleaning or

servicing the machine, shut off

engine, make sure that ail mov ing parts have come to a com plete stop, then disconnect

spark plug wire and move wire

away from spark plug.

Failure to follow these instruc tions can result in personal in jury or property damage.

NOTE:

All references to left, right, front and rear of the machine are determined by standing behind the

handlebars and facing the direction

of forward travel.

Subjects covered in this Section include:

Regular Maintenance Tiller Lubrication

Checking and Adding Engine Oil Changing Engine Oil Checking Transmission Gear Oil Changing Transmission Gear Oil

Checking for Oil Leaks Air Cleaner Maintenance Engine Cooling System Maintenance Engine Ignition System Maintenance Tightening Tiller Hardware Removing and Installing Tine Assemblies Removing and Installing Single Tines

Checking and Adjusting Belt Tension Belt Removal and Replacement Forward Clutcb Bail Adjustment Tiller Storage

REQUIRED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Before

REQUIRED MAINTENANCE

Each

Use Hours

Check Engine Oil Level Clean Engine Cooling Fins Check Bolts and Nuts Change Engine Oil Check Tension on Drive Belt

Lubricate Tiller Check Transmission Gear Oil Level Check Tines for Wear

Inspect Spark Plug

Replace Paper Air Filter Cartridge

Every Every Every As

30 50 Noted

Hours Hours

•

3 2 3

o «

NOTE 1 - Check frequently during first 2 hours of new operation; thereafter every 5 hours. NOTE 2 - Change after 2 initial operating hours; thereafter every 10 hours. NOTE 3 - Check after 2 initial operating hours; thereafter every 10 hours. NOTE 4 - Check after 2 initial operating hours; thereafter every 30 hours. NOTE 5 - Replace more often if used in extremely dusty or dirty conditions

Page 23

Malriteiiaiice/Eepairs

Regular Maintenance

Because the tiller is operated in

the garden, frequently under hot and dirty conditions, regular main tenance is very important to ensure that you are getting proper perfor mance from your tiller. There are several items of maintenance that will help keep your tiller in good operating condition:

• Change engine oil regularly.

• Lubricate the controls regularly.

• Keep the correct tension on the forward drive belt.

• Replace the engine air cleaner element when dirty.

• Keep engine cooling fins clean.

Tiller Lubrication

Refer to Photos 5-1 and 5-2 for

the lubrication points on your tiller.

5. Shifting Mechanism

Carefully oil all of the pivot points on the shifting mechanism (“5”, Photo 5-2.

NOTE: When you oil the pivot points on the shifting mechanism, be sure that you do not get any oil

on either the belt or the pulleys.

Otherwise, the belt could slip and be unable to transfer engine power

to the transmission.

Checking and Adding Engine Oii

NOTE: Check the engine oil level

frequently during the first two hours

of engine break-in operation.

Always check the engine oil

level before starting the engine

(refer to Figure 5-3 below). When operating the tiller, stop the engine and check oil level every 5 operat ing hours. Running the engine when low on oil can cause expen sive damage. Keep oil level at the overflow point in the oil fill hole.

^ WARNING

stop the engine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and move the wire away from the plug before checking en gine oil level.

Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

Use ordinary, clean motor oil (#30 weight) when oil is called for. When possible, use a good quality grease with a metal lubricant addi tive. However, regular automotive grease is acceptable.

1. Wheel Shaft

Remove the wheels and use a clean rag to wipe off old grease from the wheel shaft (“1”, Photo 5-1). Inspect the shaft and use fine sand paper to remove any rust or burrs. Apply new grease to the wheel shaft. This makes future wheel re moval easy.

2. Depth Regulator Lever

Clean and grease the back, front and sides (refer to “2”, Photo 5-1).

3. Handlebar Support Bolts

Oil the threads on both handlebar support bolts (“3”, Photo 5-1).

4. Tine Shaft

Remove the tine holder assemblies and clean any rust or burrs from the shaft (“4”, Photo 5-1) with a fine sandpaper. Liberally apply grease to the tine shaft.

Photo 5-1: Tiller lubrication points.

-•''V

Photo 5-2: Lubrication points on shifting mechanism.

Figure 5-3: Oil Fill Plug location.

Page 24

Checking Engine Oii Levei:

1. Move the tiller to a level area.

2. Pull the Depth Regulator Lever all the way up until it is in the bot tom notch.

3. Unscrew the oil fill plug from the right side of the engine (see Figure 5-3).

4. If the oil level is correct, the level will crest at the top of, or begin to flow from, the oil fill tube. Reinstall the oil fill plug.

5. If the level of the oil was below the very top of the fill hole, oil must be added as follows.

Adding Engine Oii:

1. Insert a clean funnel into the oil fill hole.

2. Select the correct type and weight of engine oil according to the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.

3. Slowly pour oil into the funnel. Check the oil level frequently while pouring. (Remove the fun nel when checking.) When the oil

just begins to overflow, the level is

correct.

4. Replace the oil fill plug securely.

Changing Engine Oil

Change the engine oil after the first two hours of initial tiller opera tion. Thereafter, change the engine oil every ten operating hours.

NOTE: The engine manufacturer recommends that the engine oil be changed after 25 hours of operation. Because the tiller is constantly op erated in a dusty, dirty environment, we recommend that you change the oil every 10 operating hours (or even sooner if the environment is extremely dirty or dusty).

Changing the engine oil removes impurities and contaminants which would otherwise increase wear on

internal engine parts. New oil as sures that the various internal mov ing parts of the engine receive proper lubrication.

^ WARNING

stop the engine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug be fore changing the engine oil. Do not touch any engine parts which may be hot.

Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

1. Start the engine and allow it to mn until it is warm. Then TURN THE ENGINE OEF.

2. There are two engine oil drain plugs on either side of the engine base. Use whichever one is most conveniently located for you.

3. Place a 2"x 4" wood board under the wheel opposite the drain plug you’ll be removing.

4. Place a drain pan with a mini mum capacity of 1-quart beneath the drain plug.

Photo 5-4: Draining engine oil.

5. Use a 3/8" open end wrench to remove the drain plug. Put it aside. Let all of the old engine oil drain completely into the drain pan.

6. Reinstall the drain plug securely.

7. Remove the wood board from beneath the wheel.

8. Refill the engine with the correct type and weight of engine oil. See your separate Engine Owner’s Manual for specifications.

9. Check the oil level to be sure it is correct before starting the engine.

WARNING

stop the engine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from

touching the spark plug be fore checking, adding or

changing the transmission gear oil. Do not touch any engine parts which may be hot.

Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

Checking and Topping-Off Transmission Gear Oil

Checking Transmission Gear Oil:

1. Move the tiller to a level area.

2. Pull the Depth Regulator Lever all the way up.

3. Unscrew the filler/check plug

from the top of the transmission (it

is located just behind the belt cover).

4. Use a flashlight to look down into the filler/check plug hole. Note

the worm gear on the drive shaft

(refer to Figure 5-5 inset). Look on either side of the worm gear to see the surface of the gear oil. If the gear oil level is correct, it should be halfway up the sides of the worm gear. If topping off is required, fol low instructions given next.

Page 25

Photo 5-5: Checking the transmis sion gear oil level. The Inset Figure shows the worm gear.

Topping off Transmission

Gear Oil

1. Complete steps l-through-3 de scribed in “Checking Transmission

Gear Oil.”

2. Insert a funnel into the filler/check plug hole.

NOTE: When adding only a few

ounces of gear oil, use API rated GL-3 or GL-5 transmission gear oil with a viscosity of SAE 140, SAE 85W-140, or SAE 80W-90. (Straight SAE 140 with an API rat ing of GL-3 is preferred). When

adding a complete refill of new gear oil after having drained the transmission, refill only with SAE 140 or SAE 85W-140 with an API of GL-3.

3. Slowly pour clean gear oil into

the transmission. Frequently check the level so as not to overfill the transmission. See Figure 5-6.

4. When the gear oil level is cor

rect, reinstall the filler/check plug

securely.

Figure 5-6: Gear oil fill hole.

Changing Transmission Gear Oil

The transmission gear oil does not have to be changed unless you know that it has been contaminated by foreign materials such as sand, dirt, or metal particles. Of course, any internal repairs on the trans mission would also require that the gear oil be drained and changed.

1. Drain gasoline from the fuel

tank or run the engine until the fuel tank is empty.

2. Drain the oil from the engine.

3. Remove the four bolts and washers securing the transmission cover to the front part of the trans mission. Lift the cover and gasket off the transmission. See Photo 5-7.

4. Remove the left wheel.

5. Lower the left axle down into a drain pan and slowly tilt the tiller to the left so the gear oil drains from the top of the transmission into the drain pan. See Photo 5-8.

6. Once gear oil has drained, tilt tiller upright and reinstall wheel.

7. Reinstall the transmission cover using a new cover gasket.

8. Add new gear oil—see specifi cations in NOTE at left.

9. Add engine oil to the engine.

DANGER

Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive. Follow these safety practices to prevent personal injury or property damage from fire or explosion.

• Allow the engine and muf fler to cool for at least two minutes before draining the tiller’s gasoline tank.

• Do not allow open flames, sparks, matches or smoking in the area.

• Wipe away spills and push tiller away from spilled fuel.

• Use only an approved fuel container and store it safely out of the reach of children.

• Do not store gasoline in an area where its vapors could reach an open flame or spark, or where ignition sources are present (such as hot water and space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves, electric motors, etc.)

Photo 5-7: Removing front cover.

■ SS»-

Photo 5-8: Draining the gear oil.

Page 26

Checking for Oil Leaks

Regularly check your tiller for oil leaks from the engine and the transmission. Slight seepage is no cause for major concern. How ever, if your tiller is losing a lot of oil, do not use it until it’s repaired.

Inspect the area where you park your tiller for stains on the floor which would indicate a leak. If you find a leak, first tighten any bolts or screws which may have loosened up.

If you are unsure how much oil has been lost from the tiller, check the oil levels before operation. Also, when operating your tiller, frequently check the oil levels to be sure that engine oil and trans mission gear oil levels don’t be come too low for safe operation.

If you have further problems with oil leaks, contact our Technical Service Department for assistance.

Air Cleaner Maintenance

Your tiller’s engine is equipped

with a replaceable dry paper filter.

Replace this filter every 50 operat

ing hours or at least once a year, more frequently under dusty or dirty operating conditions.

Do not attempt to clean this fil

ter. Simply replace it when dirty.

To Remove Paper Air Filter:

1. Loosen the two screws that se cure the air cleaner cover to the

base of the air cleaner.

2. Slightly turn the cover counter clockwise. Remove the cover and

the paper air filter.

To Change the Paper Air Filter:

1. Thoroughly clean the base of

the air cleaner and the inside of the

air cleaner cover.

2. Place the new paper filter in the

cover.

3. Place the cover (with filter in side it) on the base of the air cleaner. Align the two screw holes in the cover with the two screws in the base of the air cleaner. Refer to Photo 5-9.

4. Turn the cover slightly clock wise and tighten the two screws.

V- ■

Photo 5-9: Engine Air Filter.

Engine Cooling System Maintenance

Frequently inspect the engine cooling fins, shrouds, and throttle linkage for a build-up of dirt, dried weeds, grease, etc.

Always keep these areas free from debris to keep air currents flowing freely. See Photo 5-10.

. J ~. Vi

Photo 5-10: Keep these areas free of debris.

Engine Ignition System Maintenance

Your tiller’s engine has a de pendable, maintenance-free elec tronic ignition system. The system has no condenser or points. This means you do not have to tune up the engine. The only ignition sys tem maintenance required is peri

odic changing of the spark plug. (See the following spark plug in structions.)

Spark Plug Maintenance

Check the spark plug at the be ginning or the end of each season, or every 50 operating hours.

Clean the area around the spark

plug hole before removing the

spark plug.

1. Stop the engine, and wait for all

moving parts to stop completely.

2. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.

3. Use a 13/16" spark plug socket to remove the spark plug. The plug may be cleaned (do not sand blast or wire-brush it), and the gap set at .030" or a new spark plug may be used instead.

4. Install a new plug if the old plug’s electrodes are pitted or burned or if the porcelain is cracked. See the Engine Manual for spark plug specifications.

Carburetor Adjustments

Your carburetor has been pre-set at the factory for best tiller perfor mance. If your carburetor may need adjustment, contact your nearest authorized engine dealer.

Page 27

Tightening Tiiier Hardware

WARNING

Stop the engine, allow it to

cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from

touching the spark plug be fore tightening any bolts, screws, or nuts.

Failure to do so could result in personal injury or property damage.

After the first two hours of tiller

operation, check all fasteners (nuts,

bolts, screws, pins, etc.) and

tighten any that may have loosened. After this initial check, check those same fasteners after every ten hours of tiller operation.

Most of the fasteners on your tiller are in plain view. However, the following ones are not readily visible. Be sure to check them for tightness as well.

1. Rear End Cap Bolts- These three bolts are located at the rear end of the tiller transmission. Lift up the hood flap to view them.

2. Transmission Housing Cover Bolts- These four bolts are lo

cated on the top of the rear end of the tiller’s transmission. You see them when you lift the hood flap.

Removing and Installing Tine Assemblies

WARNING

stop the engine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug be fore removing or installing a tine assembly.

Failure to comply could result in personal injury or property

damage.

1. Use a 9/16" socket, 6” exten

sion, a ratchet, and a 9/16" box end wrench to loosen the nut and bolt that secure the tine holder to the tine shaft. See Photo 5-11.

Photo 5-11: Removing tine assembly.

2. Use a rubber mallet to tap the tine holder loose.

3. Slide the tine assembly off the tine shaft.

WARNING

stop the engine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug be fore removing or installing tiller tines.

Failure to comply could result in personal injury or property damage.

lockwashers that secure the tine to

its tine holder. See Photo 5-12.

NOTE: If the nuts are rusted, apply penetrating oil to the bolt and nut. Let the oil soak in for

several minutes before loosening the nut. Always loosen the nut rather than the bolt.

3. When installing individual tines, install them in the reverse order from which they were re moved. All tine tips must point in ward toward the transmission. Also be sure the cutting edges face

so they will enter the soil first

when the tiller is moving forward.

Bolo Tines

As you use your tiller, the tines will gradually wear. They will be come shorter, narrower and

pointed, decreasing their ability to

till effectively. Check the tines for wear several times a season, and

replace badly worn tines to restore

your tiller's effectiveness.

4. Repeat Steps 1 -through-3 above to remove the other tine assembly.

5. Installing the tine assembly is simply the reverse of its removal. First be sure to remove any rust, uneven spots or burrs from the tine shaft, using fine sandpaper. Then grease the tine shaft before rein

stalling the tine assemblies. Tight

en the hardware very securely.

Removing and Installing

Individual Tines

1. Use two 9/16" box end wrenches

to remove the two bolts, nuts and

Photo 5-12: Removing one tine.

Figure 5-13: Install tines as above.

Page 28

Checking and Adjusting

Belt Tension

After the initial two hours of

tiller operation, check the belt ten

sion. After this initial check, check the belt tension every 10 op erating hours. The same schedule should be followed after installing

a new belt. If the belt is slipping

(the tines and wheels don’t rotate as fast as when new, or they may even stop turning when the engine is running at full speed), perform the belt tension check to see if the belt needs to be tightened. If you

find you can not bring the Forward

Clutch Bail all the way up to the bottom of the upper handlebars,

you will need to loosen the belt tension.

WARNING

stop the engine, allow it to cool down, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug before checking the belt ten sion.

Failure to comply could result in personal injury or property damage.

1. Lift the Forward Clutch Bail up

and hold it to the bottom of the

handlebars.

2. Measure the length of the clutch

bail spring with a ruler. Refer to

Figure 5-14.

3. If the belt tension is correct, the

length of the spring should be ap

proximately 1-7/8".

4. If the spring is too short, the

belt tension will be too loose. If

the spring is too long, the belt ten

sion will be too tight.

5. To adjust the length of the

spring, release the Forward Clutch Bail. Screw the threaded adjuster counterclockwise (as viewed from the operator’s position) to increase the length of the spring or clock

Figure 5-14: Measure the length of the Clutch Bait Spring to check for correct belt tension (1-7/8").

wise (as viewed from the opera tor’s position) to decrease the length of the spring.

NOTE: If you have difficulty turn ing the adjuster by hand, have an assistant hold the Forward Clutch Bail to the handlebars while you insert a flat-tipped screwdriver into the clutch bail spring. Engage the tip of the screwdriver with the slot in the screw head that is inside the clutch bail spring. While you turn the screw, keep the Forward Clutch Cable from turning by gripping the adjuster on its upper end with a pliers. See Photo 5-14A.

ADJUST SPRING

TENSION BY

TURNING THE

SCREW

Photo 5-14A: Adjusting the length of the Clutch Bail Spring.

Belt Removal and Replacement

^ WARNING

stop the engine, let it cool down, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug be fore changing the belt.

Failure to comply could result in personal injury or property damage.

To Remove the Belt:

1. Use a 3/8" wrench to remove the bolt that attaches the belt cover to the tiller. Slide the belt cover up the cable slightly so it is out of the way. See Photo 5-15.

Photo 5-15: Remove belt cover.

2. Push down on the upper section of the belt to create some belt slack when you move the belt off the transmission pulley. Reach under neath the tiller and move the belt forward, off the transmission pul ley. Refer to Photo 5-16.

3. From above, lift the belt up and off the engine pulley. You need to guide the lower portion of the belt as you’re removing it so that it doesn’t hang up on anything.

To Install the Belt:

1. Insert the new belt down, in

back of the engine pulley and in

front of the transmission.

Page 29

MkiiFiieniMice/Repairs

2. Work the belt over the transmis sion pulley. Make sure the belt goes in the groove in the transmis sion pulley.

3. Loop the upper section of the belt around the engine pulley. Make sure the belt goes in the groove in the engine pulley. Also be sure the belt goes between the engine pulley and the wire belt

NOTE:

WHEEL REMOVED

FOR CLARITY

guide on each side of the pulley. Refer to Photo 5-18.

4. Slide the belt cover down the Forward Clutch Cable and reinstall it on the tiller.

5. Check the belt tension. See “Checking and Adjusting Belt Tension” for specific instructions.

NOTE: If you’ve installed a new belt, remember to check and read just its tension after the first two hours of operation.

ENGINE PULLEY

Photo 5-16: Moving the belt off the transmission puiiey.

Forward Clutch Bail Adjustment

See “Checking and Adjusting Belt Tension” in this section. When the belt has the correct amount of tension, the Forward Clutch mechanism should be prop erly adjusted.

If, after adjusting the belt ten sion, the Forward Clutch mecha nism does not operate correctly, please contact our Technical Service Department for further in structions.

WARNING

Stop the engine, allow it to

cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from

touching the spark plug be fore removing or installing the Forward Clutch Cable.

Failure to comply could result in injury or property damage.

Photo 5-17: Moving the beit off the engine puiiey.

Removing and Installing the Forward Clutch Cable

To Remove Forward Clutch Cable:

1. Unhook the spring that is on the upper end of the Forward Clutch Cable from the Forward Clutch Bail.

2. Use a 3/8" wrench to remove the bolt that at taches the belt cover to the tiller. Slide the belt cover up the cable until it is out of the way.

3. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to carefully re move the klip ring from the clevis pin on the idler lever

(Photo 5-19).

Photo 5-19: Removing the kiip ring.

Photo 5-18: The new drive beit installed.

4. Use one 7/16" and one 3/8" open end wrench to loosen the locknut on the lower end of the Forward Clutch

Cable sheath where it attaches to the cable mounting bracket (refer to Photo 5-20).

5. Push the Forward Clutch Cable forward to free it from the cable mounting bracket.

Page 30

11'a.4«,aai

mmmsmmmmmmmBmmmmimmmmimsissmmmmimmmsmmmmm

Photo 5-20: Loosening the Forward Clutch Cable.

6. Pull downward on the upper end of the Forward Clutch Cable

sheath where the connector fits into the cable bracket on the upper end of the lower handlebar. Guide the cable out of the slot in the cable bracket. See Photo 5-21.

To Install Forward Clutch Cable:

1. Place the lower end of the

Forward Clutch Cable into the cable mounting bracket and use one 7/16" and one 3/8" open end wrench to securely fasten it to the cable mounting bracket. Refer to Photo 5-22.

2. Place the lower end of the

Forward Clutch Cable over the cle vis pin on the left-hand side of the idler lever. See Photo 5-22.

3. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to place the klip ring on the clevis pin (Photo 5-19).

4. Hook the spring on the upper end of the Forward Clutch Cable to the Forward Clutch Bail.

5. Pull downward on the upper end of the black cable sheath. Slide the Forward Clutch Cable into the slot in the cable bracket that is on the upper end of the lower handlebar. Center the con nector on the upper end of the cable sheath in the hole in the cable bracket and push the connec tor into the hole until it snaps into place. See Photo 5-21.

Photo 5-21: Remove the Forward Clutch Cable from the cable bracket.

Photo 5-22: Installing the lower end of the Forward Clutch Cable.

Tiller Storage

Whenever you don’t intend to use your tiller for 30 days or longer, you should perform the fol lowing steps to ensure that it will start easily and perform properly when removed from storage.

1. To prevent harmful gum de

posits from forming in the fuel tank or carburetor, gasoline should be drained out or treated with a fuel stabilizer (such as STA - BIL). Refer to the “Storage” instructions in your Engine Owner Manual for

specific instructions.

NOTE: If Gasohol has been used

in the engine, refer to your Engine

Owner’s Manual for specific in

structions.

2. Change the engine oil while the engine is still warm. See “Changing Engine Oil” in this sec tion for full instructions.

3. Clean any debris off the tiller.

4. Lubricate the tiller. See this

section for specific instructions.

DANGER

Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive. Follow these satety practices to prevent injury or property damage from fire or explosion.

• Let engine and muffler cool at least 2 minutes before draining fuel tank.

• Do not allow open flames, sparks, and matches, or permit smoking in fueling area.

• Wipe up spills and push the tiller away from spilled fuel.

• Use only an approved fuel container and store it safely from children.

• Do not store gasoline in an area where its vapors could reach an open flame or spark, or where ignition sources are near (such as hot water

and space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves, motors, etc.)

5. Store tiller indoors in a cool, dry environment.

6. The end of the gardening sea son is a good time to order any re

placement or service parts you may need in order to have your tiller in top shape for next year.

Page 31

'Mepairs

TROUBLESHOOTING

Before performing any of the procedures in this Troubleshooting Chart, refer to the appropriate information con tained in this Manual for the correct safety precautions and operating or maintenance procedures. Contact your local authorized Engine Service Dealer for engine service. Contact your local authorized TROY-BILT tiller

dealer or the Factory for service problems with the machine.

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE

Engine Does Not Start. 1. Spark plug wire disconnected.

2. Fuel tank empty.

3. Stale gasoline.

4. Incorrect choke setting.

5. Dirty air filter.

6. Defective or incorrectly gapped spark plug.

7. Carburetor out of adjustment.

Engine Runs Poorly. 1. Bad spark plug.

2. Incorrect choke setting.

3. Dirty air filter(s).

4. Carburetor out of adjustment.

5. Stale gasoline.

6. Dirt or water in fuel tank.

7. Engine cooling system clogged.

Engine Overheats. 1. Engine cooling system clogged.

2. Carburetor out of adjustment.

3. Oil level is low.

Engine does not shut off.

1. Defective engine throttle lever.

CORRECTION

1. Reconnect wire.

2. Add gasoline.

3. Drain gasoline and add fresh gasoline.

4. Put choke in correct setting (Page 14).

5. Replace (Page 26).

6. Inspect spark plug (Page 26).

7. See Engine Service Dealer.

1. Inspect spark plug (Page 26).

2. Put choke in correct setting (Page 14).

3. Replace (Page 26).

4. See Engine Service Dealer.

5. Drain gasoline and add fresh gasoline.

6. See Engine Service Dealer.

7. Clean debris guard and fins.

1. Clean debris guard and fins.

2. See Engine Service Dealer.

3. Check and add oil (Page 23).

1. See Engine Service Dealer.

Page 32

Tlïier & ERglne Spec . , ' 3

TILLER

Height

Without Handlebars .....................................21!4"

With Handlebars in lowest position With Handlebars in highest position

Length

With Handlebars in lowest position Without Handlebars

Width

Hood Width ..................................................15K"

Tilling Width....................................................14-

Wheel Width ......................................13J^"-14X"

Width at top of Handlebars Weight (w/o oil or gas)

....................................

..............................

.........................

..............

...........

.............

117 pounds

37X”

46!4"

53!4"

36%”

18"

ENGINE

Engine Type

Tecumseh 3 Horsepower, single cylinder

air cooled, horizontal crankshaft, with manual choke and solid state ignition.

Fuel Tank Capacity

2 Quarts.

Fuel Specifications

Unleaded regular gasoline. See Engine Owner’s Manual for other gasoline recommendations. DO NOT use Leaded gasoline.

Engine Oil Capacity

Approximately 21 ounces (L4 pints). Important: Always be sure the oil level is at

the point of overflowing from the oil filler tube.

Transmission Gear Oil Specifications

Small Top-Offs: SAE 140, SAE 85W-140, or SAE 80W-90 weight gear oil with an API

rating of either GL-3 or GL-5. Full Replacement: SAE 140 or SAE 85W-140

weight gear oil with an API rating of GL-3 only.

Spark Plug

See your Engine Owner’s Manual for the recommended spark plug type.

Spark Plug Gap

.030"

Ignition System

Solid State Electronic Ignition (no points or condenser required).

Page 33

Index

Adjustments See Maintenance/Repairs Air Cleaner, 26 Assembly Steps, 8-11 Authorized Engine Service, 4

Bail, Forward Clutch, 13 Belt

Adjusting, 28 Replacing, 28

Tension Check, 28 Bolo Tines, 27 Break-In Operation, 15

Cable, Forward Clutch, 29 Carburetor Adjustments, 26 Choke, Engine, 14 Claims, Freight, 8 Composting, Power, 19 Cooling System Maintenance, 26 Controls, Tiller and Engine, 12-14 Crop Residues, 19 Cultivating, 19

Decals, 7 Depth Regulator Lever, 14 Depths, Tilling, 17 Drive Belt (see Belt Tension

and Belt Removal), 28-29

Engine

Air Cleaner, 26

Choke Lever, 14

Cooling System, 26

Controls, 14

Fuel (gasoline), 32

Oil, 11, 32

Recoil Starter, 14

Serial Number, 3

Service Outlets, 4

Spark Plug, 22, 26, 32

Starting, 16

Stopping, 17

Storage, 30

Throttle Lever, 14, 16,

Fins, Engine Cooling, 26 Footprints, 18 Forward Clutch Bail, 13, 29 Frame Weights, 19

Freight Damage, 8 Fuel, 32

Gasoline, 16, 32 Gear Oil, 24,25,32 Grease, 23 Guiding the Tiller, 17

Handlebar Height Adjustment, 9,14 Hillside (Slope) Tilling, 20

Ignition System, 26

J, K

Leaks, Oil, 26 Loading/Unloading, 21 Lubrication, 22, 23

Maintenance/Repairs, 22-31

Air Cleaner, 26 Carburetor, 26 Engine Cooling System, 26 Engine Oil, 24 Forward Clutch Bail, 13 Ignition, 26 Lubrication, 23 Nuts/Bolts, 27 Off-Season Storage, 30 Schedule, 22 Spark Arrester, 5 Sparkplug, 26 Troubleshooting, 31

Forward Clutch Bail Cable, 29 Model Number, 3 Motor Oil, 11,23-24,32

Nuts/Bolts, 27

Off-Season Storage, 30 Oil, Motor

Adding, 11,23

Changing, 24

Checking, 23-24 Oil, Transmission Gear

Adding, 25

Changing, 25 Checking, 24

Type, 25, 32 Oil Leaks, 26 Operating the Tiller, 17-20 Ordering Tiller Parts, 4

Pins, Wheel Drive, 12 Power Composting, 19 Pre-Start Checklist, 16

Reversing the Tiller, 17 Repairs and Adjustments, 22-31 Rules, Safety, 5-7

Safety Rules, 5-7 Seedbed Preparation, 18 Serial Number, 3 Sloping Ground, 20 Sparkplug, 22,26,32 Specifications (Tiller & Engine), 32 Starting and Stopping Engine, 16-17 Starting the Tiller, 17 Stopping the Tiller, 17 Storage, 30

Terrace Gardening, 20 Throttle Lever (engine), 14 Tightening Nuts/Bolts, 27 Tiller Operation, 17-20 Tiller Serial Number, 3 Tines (bolo), 27 Travel Position (depth regulator), 14 Turning Around, 18

Unloading/Loading, 21

Untangling Tines, 20 Uphill Tilling, 20

w, X, Y, Z

Weights, Frame, 19 Wheel Drive Pins, 9,12-13 Warranty, No-Time-Limit, Back Cover

Page 34

Notes

Page 35

Page 36

FULL NO-TIME-LIMIT WARRANTY

Your TROY-BILT® Roto Tiller - Power Composter is warranted by Garden Way Incorporated to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty will remain in effect for the life of the machine and will be transferred automatically to any and all subsequent owners.

We or your authorized dealer will repair or replace, at no cost to you, any part we find to be defective with the exception of the engine, which is warranted separately by the engine manu facturer. Garden Way Incorporated does, however, extend the length of the engine manufactur er’s warranty, providing you with coverage for a total of three (3) years. (Call or write to us for a

FREE copy of the engine warranty.)

This FULL NO-TIME-LIMIT WARRANTY also applies to all non-powered attachments.

Powered attachments are warranted separately by their manufacturers.

If we determine them defective, even parts that wear in normal use, such as belts, bear ings, blades, tires, and tines are covered under this warranty and will be replaced or repaired without charge. Failures or malfunctions caused by normal wear and tear, use of unauthorized accessories or attachments, misuse, or accident are not covered.

FULL ONE-YEAR COMMERCIAL USE WARRANTY; If used for commercial, institutional, industrial, rental, or demonstrator purposes, the warranty on this product is limited in duration to one (1) year from date of purchase. The engine warranty for commercial use is a LIMITED WARRANTY also in effect for one (1) year from date of purchase. Proof of purchase is required to obtain commercial warranty service.

How to Get Service:

Your Rights Under State Law:

To obtain warranty service, contact Garden Way Incorporated at 102nd Street & 9th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180, or call us TOLL FREE at 1 -800-520-5520, or consult your Yellow Pages for the name of the authorized TROY-BILT product dealer nearest you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. ; ^ .

TROY-BiLT® FACTORY DiRECT 30-DAY TRIAL

TROY BILT Manufacturing wants you to be completely satisfied with your product. If you are not totally satisfied with the condition or performance of your TROY-BILT product, you may exchange your product or receive a refund of the purchase price of your merchandise. To receive your refund, you must contact us within 30 days after you receive your order, and follow the return instructions.

Troy-Bilt 12065 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Dear Owner,

U.S.A.

U.S.A.

Canada

Canada

U.S.A.

Canada

Sectio

TRAINING

PREPARATION

OPERATION

SAFETY DECALS

Section

Tools Needed:

lO NÛ

Section

TILLER FEATURES AND CONTROLS IDENTIFICATION

A WARNING

A) Wheel Drive Pins

WARNING

WARNING

B) Forward Clutch Bail

WARNING

Features ani Controls

WARNING

D) Handlebar Height Adjustment

WARNING

WARNING

E) Engine Throttie Lever

F) Engine Choke Lever

G) Engine Recoil Starter

Section

Break-In Operation

Pre-Start Checklist

Starting the Engine

WARNING

^ DANGER

Stopping the Engine

Guiding the Tiller

Tilling Depths

WARNING

Moving the Tiller Forward

WARNING

Moving the Tiller Rearward

Turning the Tider Around

Tilling in the Garden

Avoid Making Footprints

Cultivating

High-Traction Frame Weights

Power Composting

Preventing Tines From Becoming Tangled

WARNING

Tilling on Siopes

WARNING

Terrace Gardening

Section

Malriteiiaiice/Eepairs

Regular Maintenance

Tiller Lubrication

Checking and Adding Engine Oii

^ WARNING

Changing Engine Oil

^ WARNING

WARNING

Checking and Topping-Off Transmission Gear Oil

Changing Transmission Gear Oil

DANGER

Checking for Oil Leaks

Air Cleaner Maintenance

Engine Cooling System Maintenance

Engine Ignition System Maintenance

Spark Plug Maintenance

Carburetor Adjustments

WARNING

Removing and Installing Tine Assemblies

WARNING