Troy-Bilt 12097 User Manual
OWNER’S MANUAL
Tiller/Edger
* Safety
* Assembly
* Features and Controls
* Operation
* Maintenance
* Parts List
Model
12097
Serial Numbers;
120971400101 -120971499999
GARDEN WAY INCORPORATED
Dear Owner:
Congratulations on your purchase of a Tiller/Edger with
Edger Attachment. It has been designed, engineered and
manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and
performance.
Please carefully read this Manual which provides information
on how to safely and easily set-up, 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 property damage.
If you should ever have any problems or questions, please
contact your local authorized service dealer or call the Factory.
See the back cover of this Manual for Customer Service infor
mation.
We want to be sure that you are completely satisfied at all
times.
See Back Cover for
Customer Service Information
Safety Alert Symbol
This is a safety alert symbol. It is used in this
manual and on the unit to alert you to potential haz
A
sages could result in personal injury or property damage.
ards. When you see this symbol, read and obey the
message that follows it. Failure to obey safety mes
Table of Contents
SECTION 1: SAFETY............................................................................................................... 3
Training.............................................................................. 3
Preparation........................................................................ 3
Operation........................................................................... 4
Maintenance/Storage
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLY........................................................................................................ 5
Unpacking Instructions...................................................... 5
Assembly Steps................................................................. 5
SECTION 3; FEATURES AND CONTROLS......................................................................... 7
SECTION 4: OPERATION ..................................................................................................... 8
Pre-start Preparation......................................................... 8
Stopping and Starting the Engine...................................... 8
Tilling and Cultivating
Using the Edger Attachment
Attachments..................................................................... 10
SECTIONS: MAINTENANCE .............................................................................................. 11
Equipment Maintenance
Engine Maintenance....................................................... 11
Tine Removal and Installation
Storage............................................................................ 13
Troubleshooting............................................................... 14
Safety and Operating Decals........................................... 14
PARTS LIST ........................................................................................................................... 15
INDEX....................................................................................................................................... 18
CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION
........................................................
........................................................
...........................................
.................................................
.........................................
................................................
BACK COVER
10
11
12
4
9
This machine meets voluntary safety standard
B71.8 - 1996, which is sponsored by the Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute, Inc., and is published by
the American National Standards Institute.
A WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product contains chemi
sais known to the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
A WARNING
TO AVOID INJURY:
READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL.
KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF ALL CONTROLS.
KEEP ALL SAFETY DEVICES AND SHIELDS IN PLACE AND
WORKING.
NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN OR UNINSTRUCTED ADULTS TO
OPERATE MACHINE.
SHUT OFF ENGINE AND DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE
BEFORE MANUALLY UNCLOGGING TINES OR MAKING
REPAIRS.
KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY FROM MACHINE.
KEEP AWAY FROM ROTATING PARTS.
USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN REVERSING OR PULLING
THE MACHINE TOWARDS YOU.
Section
g Safety
SPARK ARRESTER WARNING TO RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA AND SEVERAL OTHER STATES
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, brush, hay, grain, or grass covered land; or land covered by any flammable agricultural crop
without an engine spark arrester in continuous effective working order.
The engine on the unit is an internal combustion engine which burns gasoline, a hydrocarbon fuel, and must be equipped with a
spark arrester muffler in continuous 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 ignite flammable material. Failure of the owner/operator of the unit to
comply with this regulation is a misdemeanor under California law (and other states) 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 which regulations apply in your area.
TRAINING
• Read this Owner’s Manual and the sep
arate Engine Owner’s Manual very care
fully before operating this equipment. Be
completely familiar with the controls and
the proper use of the equipment. Know
how to stop the unit and disengage the
controls quickly. A replacement Manual
is available by contacting your authorized
dealer or the Factory.
• Never allow children or untrained
adults to use this equipment. Let adults
operate the unit only if instructed
properly.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly small children and
pets. Keep bystanders at least 25 feet
from the area of operation.
• Keep in mind that the operator or user
is responsible for accidents or hazards
occurring to other people, their property
and themselves.
• Familiarize yourself with all of the
safety and operating decals on this equip
ment and on any of its attachments or
accessories.
• Do not run engine in an enclosed area.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas, a deadly poison that is
odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Do not
operate this equipment near buildings,
windows, or air conditioning equipment.
• 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 is started and the Throttle/Tines
Lever is squeezed. The tines continue to
rotate until the operator releases the
Throttle/Tines Lever.
• Before inspecting or servicing any part
of the equipment, shut off engine, make
sure all moving parts have come to a
complete stop, then disconnect spark
plug wire from spark plug and move wire
away from the plug.
• Do not operate this equipment if you are
under the influence of alcohol, medication,
or when you are tired or ill.
PREPARATION
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the
equipment is to be used and remove all
foreign objects.
• Make sure that the Throttle/Tines Lever
is released and is in the neutral position
before you begin to start the engine.
• Do not operate the machine without
wearing adequate outer garments. Avoid
loose garments or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts of the machine or
its engine.
• Do not operate the equipment when
barefoot or when wearing sandals,
sneakers, or similar lightweight footwear.
Wear protective footwear that will protect
your feet and improve footing on all
surfaces.
• Wear approved safety glasses when op
erating this equipment. The operation of
any powered machine can result in for
eign objects being thrown by high-speed
rotating parts.
• Do not till near underground electric
cables, telephone lines, pipes, or hoses.
If in doubt, contact your utility or tele
phone company to locate underground
services.
• Handle fuel with care. It is highly
flammable and has explosive vapors.
Take these precautions:
a. Use an approved fuel container.
b. Add fuel before starting the engine.
Never remove the cap of the fuel tank
or add fuel while the engine is running
or when the engine is hot. Operators
shall not smoke.
c. Keep matches, cigarettes, cigars,
pipes, open flames, and sparks away
from the fuel tank and fuel container.
d. Fill fuel tank outdoors and with ex
treme caution. Never fill fuel tank
when indoors. Use a funnel or spout
to prevent spillage.
e. Replace all fuel tank and fuel container
caps securely.
f. If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to start
the engine, but move the machine away
from the area of spillage and avoid cre
ating any source of ignition until fuel
vapors have dissipated.
• Never make adjustments to your equip
ment when the engine is running or spark
plug wire is connected (unless specifically
recommended in Owner’s Manual).
OPERATION
Operator’s Position
LEFT and RIGHT sides of the tiller are
from the operator’s position behind the
handlebars (unless noted otherwise).
• The correct operator’s position is when
you are standing behind and gripping
handlebar, facing forward toward the
engine. Do not leave this position while
using the Throttle/Tines Lever.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts.
Section 1: Safety
• Exercise extreme caution when on or
crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.
Do not carry passengers.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine, let all moving parts come to a
complete stop, disconnect the spark plug
wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug, then carefully inspect the ma
chine for damage. Repair the damage
before restarting and operating the
machine.
• Exercise caution to avoid slipping or
falling.
• if the machine should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and prevent it from
touching the plug. Check immediately for
the cause. Vibration is generally a
warning of trouble. Fix the problem
before using the equipment again.
• Stop the engine, disconnect the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug whenever you leave the equip
ment, before unclogging the tines, or
when making any repairs, adjustments or
inspections.
• Take all possible precautions when
leaving the machine unattended. Always
stop the engine. Disconnect the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
plug.
• Before cleaning, repairing, or in
specting, stop the engine and make cer
tain all moving parts have stopped. Dis
connect the spark plug wire and prevent it
from touching the spark plug to avoid ac
cidental starting.
• Never operate equipment without
proper guards, plates, or other protective
safety devices in place.
• Do not run the engine in an enclosed
area. The exhaust fumes from the engine
contain extremely dangerous carbon
monoxide gas. This gas is colorless,
odorless, tasteless and deadly poisonous.
• Keep children and pets away.
• Be aware that the equipment may unex
pectedly bounce upward or jump forward
if the tines should strike extremely hard
packed soil, frozen ground, or buried ob
stacles such as large stones, roots or
stumps. If you are in doubt about the
tilling conditions, always use the fol
lowing operating precautions to assist
you in maintaining control of the
equipment:
a. Stand behind the equipment, using
both hands on the handlebars. Relax
your arms, but use a secure hand
grip.
b. Start tilling at shallow depths, working
gradually deeper with each pass.
c. Clear the tilling area of all large stones,
roots, and other debris.
d. In an emergency, stop the tines by re
leasing the Throttle/Tines Lever on the
handlebar. To stop the engine, move
the engine On/Off switch to OFF.
• Do not overload the machine’s capacity
by attempting to till too deeply at too fast
a rate.
• Never operate the equipment on slip
pery surfaces. Look behind and use care
when backing up.
• Do not operate the equipment on a
slope that is too steep for safety. When
on slopes, slow down and make sure you
have good footing.
• Never allow bystanders near the unit.
• Only use attachments and accessories
that are factory-approved.
• Never operate the equipment without
good visibility or good light.
• Never operate the unit if you are tired,
or under the influence of alcohol, drugs,
or medication.
• Do not tamper with the engine gov
ernor settings on the machine; the gov
ernor controls the maximum safe oper
ating speed and protects the engine and
all other moving parts from damage
caused by engine overspeed. Authorized
service shall be sought if a problem
exists.
• Do not touch engine parts which may
be hot from operation. Allow parts to
cool before inspecting, cleaning or
repairing.
• Remember: you can stop the tines by
releasing the Throttle/Tines Lever. Move
the engine On/Off switch to OFF to shut
the engine off.
• Never transport this machine when the
engine is running.
• Terminals and non-insulated electrical
parts shall be protected against shorting
during normal servicing, refueling or
lubrication.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or
pulling the machine toward you.
• Start the engine carefully according to
instructions and with feet well away from
the tines.
MAiNTENANCE/STORAGE
• Keep the tiller, attachments and acces
sories in safe working condition.
• Check all nuts, bolts, and screws at fre
quent intervals for proper tightness to be
sure equipment is in safe working
condition.
• Never store equipment with fuel in fuel
tank inside a building where fumes may
reach an open flame or spark (hot water
and space heaters, furnaces, clothes
dryers, stoves, electric motors, etc.).
• Allow the engine to cool before storing
the equipment.
• Keep the engine free of grass, leaves,
or grease to reduce the chance of a fire
hazard.
• Store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated
area, safely away from any spark- or
flame-producing equipment. Store gaso
line in an approved container, safely away
from the reach of children.
• Never perform maintenance when
engine is running or spark plug wire is
connected unless instructed to do so.
• If fuel tank must be drained, do so
outdoors.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommenda
tions for safe loading, unloading, trans
port and storage of machine.
Section
Assembly
A WARNING
To prevent personal injury or property
damage, do not start the engine until all
assembly steps are complete and you
have read and understand the safety and
operating instructions in this manual.
INTRODUCTION
Read these instructions in their entirety
before you attempt to assemble or op
erate your new equipment.
The Border/Edger Attachment (H, Figure
5) does not need to be installed until you
are ready to do edging projects (refer to
instructions in this Section).
IMPORTANT: The correct mixture of un
leaded automotive gasoline and two-cycle
motor oil (a 24:1 ratio of gasoline to twocycle oil) must be added to the fuel tank
before starting the engine. See instruc
tions in this Section.
UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Inspect your machine immediately. If
you find or suspect damage to the carton
or contents, contact your local authorized
dealer or the Factory for assistance.
2. Remove any packing material. Check
for small parts before discarding the
packing material. Loose parts include the
following:
(1) Wheel (for edging)
(1) EdgerTine
(2) *Long Bushings
(1) *Short Bushing
* Packed in a separate plastic bag.
3. Perform the assembly on a clean, level
surface. Be careful not to severely bend
any of the control cables on the unit.
4. Before starting any assembly steps,
disconnect the engine spark plug wire
trom the spark plug.
ASSEMBLY STEPS
STEP1: Unfold and
Adjust Handlebars
IMPORTANT: Be careful not to pinch any
control cables while unfolding and ad
justing the handlebars.
1. Loosen the two handlebar knobs (A,
Figure 1) and unfold the handlebars into
the operating position. Do not use force
— if there is binding, continue to loosen
the knobs.
Figure 1: Loosen handlebar knobs and
unfold handlebars. Slide plastic ties to the
locations shown.
2. There are two height settings holes in
the upper handlebar. The unit is shipped
with the handlebar knobs in the lowest
height setting holes. If this height is cor
rect for you, simply tighten the two han
dlebar knobs. If a higher setting is de
sired, reposition the handlebar knobs,
mounting screws and washers in the
other set of holes.
3. Check the locations of the six plastic
ties (C, Figure 1). The ties must be posi
tioned as shown.
NOTE: There is just one handlebar storage
position - folded over the engine as origi
nally shipped.
STEP 2; Inspect
and Tighten Hardware
Check all nuts, bolts and screws on your
unit and tighten as needed. NOTE: Use a
7/16" socket with an extension to check
hardware at ends of handlebar.
Toots Needed to Check for Loose
Hardware:
• Adjustable wrench
• Slotted-head screwdriver
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Use a 7/16" socket and extension
(to check hardware at ends of handlebar)
IMPORTANT: Do not tighten engine gov
ernor screw (D, Figure 2). It is factory-
adjusted for proper engine operation.
A DANGER
• Gasoline and its vapors are highly
flammable and explosive. Keep gaso
line away from possible ignition
sources.
• Do not smoke while mixing the gaso
line and two-cycle oil together or
when filling the fuel tank.
• Never fill fuel tank when engine is run
ning or hot.
Faiiure to follow these precautions could
result in the fuel igniting, causing per
sonal injury or property damage.
STEP 3: Add a Mixture of Gasoline
and Two-Cycle Oil to the Fuel Tank
IMPORTANT: Read the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual before starting the
engine.
1. Use clean, high quaiity 2-cycle oil,
NMMA TC-WII orTC-W3. DO NOT USE
MULTI-VISCOSITY OIL!
2. Use fresh, clean, unleaded regular,
unleaded premium or reformulated au
tomotive gasoline only. DO NOT USE
LEADED GASOLINE.
NOTE: Do not use gasoline containing
methanol (wood alcohol). Fuel containing
up to 10% ethanol (gasohol) or up to
15% MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
may be used, but requires special care
when the engine is not used for extended
periods. See “STORAGE” instructions in
Engine Owner’s Manual for additional in
formation.
3. The fuel/oil mix ratio is 24:1 with the use of a NMMA classified oil. For new
engines, use twice the normal oil quantity
for the first gallon of fuel. NOTE; Due to
differences in fuel and oil availability
worldwide, Tecumseh recommends a
16:1 mix ratio if NMMA oil is not
available.
Figure 2: Do not adjust or tighten the engine
governor screw.
Section 2: Assembly
Chart 1: FUEL MIXTURE
(Mixture Ratio is 24 parts gasoline to
1 part two-cycle oil)
U.S. Gas U.S. Oil
1 Gal.
2 Gal.
Metric Petrol
4 liters
8 liters
4. Do not mix fuel directly in engine iuel
tank. Always use a clean, safety-ap
proved fuel container.
• To Mix:
A. Fill a clean, approved container one
quarter full with recommended gaso
line.
B. Add recommended amount of oil per
Chart 1: FUEL MIXTURE.
C. Screw cap on container and shake
vigorously. Then unscrew cap and
fill container with gasoline per
Chart 1: FUEL MIXTURE. Screw on
cap and shake again. Once mixed,
oil and gasoline will not separate.
Fill Fuel Tank:
1. Engine must be cool. Clean area
around fuel tank cap and remove cap.
Insert a clean funnel into the fuel tank.
2. Slowly pour gasoline/oil mixture into
fuel tank. Fill tank no higher than 1/2“
from top of tank to allow for gasoline ex
pansion. Install fuel cap and clean up any
fuel spills.
5 oz.
11 oz.
Metric Oil
167 ml
333 ml
STEP 4: To Make Borders and Edges,
Install the Edger Attachment
To create borders or edges near walks,
driveways, flower beds, etc., you must
remove the four tine sections and install
the Edger Attachment (this attachment
was supplied with the unit - see Page 5).
To Install the Edger Attachment:
1. Gather together the following parts
(see Figure 4): (A) Border/Edger Tine; (B)
Long Bushing; (C) Border/Edger Wheel
and (D) Short Bushing.
2. Prop the machine carefully on the front
of the tubular carrying handle. The work
surface should be firm and flat. NOTE:
Usually the Border/Edger Tine is mounted
on the right-side of the unit for righthanded persons, and on the left-side of
the unit for left-handed persons.
3. Flip open the ring on the two ring lock
pins (E, Figures 3 and 4) and remove the
ring lock pin on each tine shaft.
IMPORTANT: The ring lock pin is under
spring tension - use care when removing
or replacing the ring lock pin.
4. It is important for proper tilling perfor
mance that the tine sections be later rein
stalled in their original positions. Mark
the position of each tine section (LeftOuter, Left-Inner, etc.) before removing
them. Refer to Figures 3 and 9 for tine
position information. See also Tine Re
moval and Installation in Section 5.
5. Install the short bushing (D, Figure 4)
on the right-hand or left-hand tine shaft.
Figure 3: Remove ring lock pins and tines
from both sides of the tine shaft. Keep left
and right-side tines separated and marked
for easier reinstallation.
the same shaft - the wheel hub should
face toward the tiller. Insert the ring lock
pin through the rounded side of the tine
shaft and snap the ring down over the
shaft (see
Figure 4).
DETAIL - Ring Lock Pin,
6. Slide the long bushing (B) on the op
posite side shaft. Then install the
Border/Edger tine (A) and secure it with
the ring lock pin.
See Section 4 for instructions on using
the Border/Edger Attachment.
See Tine Removal and Installation in Sec
tion 5 for information on how to reinstall
the tines.
A WARNING
Contact with rotating tines or other
moving parts can cause serious per
sonal injury.
Before installing or removing attach
ments, or adjusting or servicing the ma
chine, stop the engine, let all moving
parts come to a complete stop, discon
nect the spark plug wire and move the
wire away from the spark plug.
Figure 4: The Border/Edger tine (A) can be mounted on left or right
sides of machine (with long bushing B). The Border/Edger wheel
(C) mounts on the other side (with short bushing D).
Loading...