Troybilt 21A-148H063 Owner’s Manual

0 TROI BILT"

Operator's Manual

Tiller/Edger Model

148H

IMPORTANT:READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-cov-

ered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). if a
spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Sec-

tion 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the
muffler is available by contacting the service department at Troy-Bilt LLC, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131, CLEVELAND, OH 44136-0019

PRINTED IN USA FROM NO. 770-10600

(12/2001 )

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Calling Customer Support .................................................... 2

Safety ................................................................... 3

Assembly ................................................................. 5

Features and Controls ....................................................... 6

Operation ................................................................ 7

Maintenance .............................................................. 10

Troubleshooting ............................................................ 12

Storage .................................................................. 12

Parts List ................................................................. 13

Warrany Information ........................................................ Back Cover

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new Tiller/Edger. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain
the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the infor-
mation from it in the space provided below. This information is very important if you need help from our Customer
Support Department or an authorized dealer.

You can locate the model number by looking at the rear surface of the tine shield. A sample model plate is ex-
plained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in

the space below

Copy Model Number Here

O BILT. TROY-BILT LLI

www.troybilt.com CLEVELAND,OH44136

• 866-840-648_

P. 0. BOX 361131

330-558-7220

Copy Serial Number Here

ENGINEINFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating, speci-
fications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual packed sepa-

rately with your unit for more information.

CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance
of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this in-

Call 1- [phone] or 1- [phone] to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have
formation. You will be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call ..

Safety

Safety Alert Symbol

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.

,_ This isa safety alert symbol. It is usedin this

sages could result in personalinjury or propertydamage.

TRAINING

• Readthis Owner's Manualand the sep-
arate EngineOwner's Manualvery care-
fully beforeoperatingthis equipment. Be
completely familiar with the controls and
the proper useof the equipment. Know

howto stop the unit and disengagethe
controls quickly. A replacement Manual

isavailableby contacting your authorized
dealer or the Factory.

• Neverallow children or untrained
adults to usethis equipment. Letadults

operatethe unit only if instructed

properly.

• Keepthe area of operationclear of all

persons,particularly small children and

pets. Keepbystandersat least 25 feet
from thearea of operation.

• Keepin mind that the operator or user

is responsiblefor accidents or hazards
occurring to other people,their property
and themselves.

• Familiarizeyourselfwith allof the
safety and operating decals onthis equip-

ment and on any of its attachments or
accessories.

• Donot run engine in an enclosed area.

Engineexhaustcontains carbon

monoxide gas,a deadly poisonthat is
odorless, colorless, andtasteless. Donot

operatethis equipment nearbuildings,
windows, or air conditioning equipment.

• Donot allow handsor any other part of
the body or clothing near the rotating
tines or nearany other moving part. The
tines begin to rotateforward oncethe
engine is started and theThrottle/Tines
Control Leveris squeezed. Thetines con-
tinue to rotate until the operator releases

the Throttle/Tines Control Lever.

• Beforeinspecting or servicing any part
of the equipment, shut off engine,make

sure all moving parts havecome to a
complete stop, then disconnect spark

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

manualand on the unit to alert you to potential haz-

ards. Whenyou see this symbol, readand obeythe

messagethat follows it. Failureto obey safety mes-

• Donot operatethis equipment if you are
underthe influence of alcohol, medication,

or when you aretired or ill.

PREPARATION

• Thoroughly inspectthe area wherethe

equipment isto be used and remove all
foreign objects.

• Makesure that the Throttle/Tines Con-

trol Lever is disengagedand is in the neu-
tral position before you beginto start the
engine.

• Do notoperatethe machinewithout

wearing adequateouter garments. Avoid

loosegarments or jewelry that could get

caught in moving parts of the machine or

its engine.

• Do notoperatethe equipment when
barefoot or when wearing sandals,

sneakers, or similar lightweight footwear.
Wear protectivefootwear that will protect
your feet and improve footing on all

surfaces.

• Wearapprovedsafety glasseswhen op-

erating this equipment. Theoperation of
any poweredmachine can result in for-
eign objects beingthrown by high-speed

rotating parts.

• Do nottill nearunderground electric

cables,telephonelines, pipes, or hoses.

If in doubt, contact your utility or tele-
phonecompanyto locateunderground

services.

• Handlefuel with care. It is highly

flammable and hasexplosivevapors.
Takethese precautions:

a. Useanapproved fuel container.
b. Add fuel beforestarting the engine.

Never removethe capof the fuel
tank or add fuel while the engine is

running or whenthe engine is hot.
Operatorsshall not smoke.

c. Keepmatches,cigarettes,cigars,

pipes, openflames, and sparks
awayfrom the fuel tank and fuel

container.

• ILWARNING

Theengineexhaustfromthis productcontainschemi-
calsknowntotheStateofCaliforniatocausecancer,

birthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

d. Fill fuel tank outdoors andwith ex-

treme caution. Neverfill fuel tank
when indoors. Useafunnel or

spout to prevent spillage.

e. Replaceall fuel tank and fuel con-

tainer capssecurely.

f. If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to

start the engine, but movethe ma-
chineaway from the areaof spillage

andavoid creating any source of ig-
nition until fuel vapors have

dissipated.

• Nevermakeadjustments to your equip-
ment when the engine is running or spark
plug wire isconnected (unless specifically

recommendedin Owner's Manual).

OPERATION

Operator'sPosition

RIGHTSID_ LEFTSIDE

LEFTandRIGHTsidesofthetillerare
fromtheoperator'spositionbehindthe

handlebars(unlessnotedotherwise).

• Thecorrect operator's position is when

you are standing behindand gripping the

handlebar,facing forward toward the

engine. Do not leavethis position while

usingthe engine Throttle/Tines lever.

• Donot put handsor feet near or under
rotating parts.

3

Section1: Safety

• Exerciseextremecaution when on or

crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
Stay alert for hidden hazardsor traffic.

Donot carry passengers.

• After striking aforeign object, stop the
engine, letall moving parts come to a
complete stop, disconnect the spark plug
wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug,then carefully inspectthe ma-
chine for damage. Repairthe damage

beforerestarting and operating the
machine.

• Exercisecaution to avoid slipping or
falling.

• Ifthe machineshould start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine. Disconnect

the spark plug wire and prevent it from
touching the plug. Checkimmediately for

the cause. Vibration is generallya
warning of trouble. Fixthe problem

beforeusing the equipment again.

• Stopthe engine,disconnect the spark
plug wire and preventit from touching the

spark plug wheneveryou leavethe equip-

ment, beforeunclogging the tines, or

when making any repairs, adjustments or

inspections.

• Takeall possible precautionswhen
leavingthe machineunattended. Always

stop the engine. Disconnectthe spark

plug wire and preventit from touching the
plug.

• Beforecleaning, repairing, or
inspecting, stop the engine and make

certain all moving parts have stopped.

Disconnectthe spark plug wire and
preventit from touching the spark plug to

avoid accidentalstarting.

• Neveroperateequipment without
proper guards, plates, or other protective

safety devices in place.

• Donot run the engine in an enclosed

area. The exhaust fumes from the engine
contain extremelydangerous carbon

monoxide gas. Thisgas is colorless,

odorless, tastelessand deadlypoisonous rn r ntr I th

• Keepchildren and pets away. ating speedand protects the engine and

• Beawarethat the equipment may unex-
pectedlybounceupward or jump forward

if thetines should strike extremely hard
packedsoil, frozen ground, or buried ob-

stacles such as large stones, roots or
stumps. Ifyou are in doubt about the
tilling conditions, always usethe fol-

lowing operating precautions to assist

you in maintaining control of the
equipment:

a. Stand behind theequipment, using

both handson the handlebars.
Relaxyour arms, but use a secure

handgrip.

b. Start tilling at shallow depths,

working gradually deeperwith each
pass.

c. Clearthe tilling areaof all large

stones, roots, and other debris.

d. Inan emergency,stop thetines by

releasingthe engineThrottle/Tines
leveron the handlebar. Tostop the

engine, movethe engine On/Off
switch to OFE

• Do notoverloadthe machine'scapacity
byattempting to till too deeplyat too fast

a rate.

• Neveroperatethe equipment on slip-
perysurfaces. Look behind and use care

when backing up.

• Do notoperatethe equipment on a

slope that istoo steepfor safety. When

on slopes, slow down and makesure you
havegood footing.

• Neverallow bystanders nearthe unit.

• Onlyuseattachmentsand accessories

that are factory-approved.

• Neveroperatethe equipment without

good visibility or good light.

• Neveroperatethe unit if you are tired,
or under the influence of alcohol, drugs,

or medication.

• Do nottamper with the engine gov-

ernor settings on the machine;the gov-

; e o co os emaximumsafeoper-

all other moving parts from damage
caused by engine overspeed. Authorized doors.

service shall be sought if a problem
exists. • Followmanufacturer's recommenda-

• Donot 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
releasingthe engineThrottle/Tines lever.
Movethe engine On/Off switch to OFFto

shut the engineoff.

• Nevertransport this machinewhenthe

engine is running.

• Terminalsand non-insulated electrical
parts shall be protected against shorting

during normal servicing, refuelingor

lubrication.

• Useextremecaution when reversing or
pulling the machinetowardyou.

• Startthe enginecarefully according to
instructions and with feet well away from

the tines.

MAINTENANCE/STORAGE

• Keepthe tiller, attachments and acces-

sories in safe working condition.

• Checkall nuts, bolts, and screws at fre-

quent intervals for proper tightness to be
sure equipment is in safe working

condition.

• Neverstore equipment with fuel in fuel

tank insidea building where fumes may

reachan open flame or spark (hot water

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

• Allow theengine to cool beforestoring

the equipment.

• Keep the enginefree of grass, leaves,

or greaseto reduce the chanceof a fire

hazard.

• Storegasoline in a cool, well-ventilated

area,safelyaway from any spark- or
flame-producing equipment. Storegaso-

line in an approvedcontainer,safelyaway

from the reachof children.

• Neverperform maintenancewhen

engine is running or spark plug wire is
connected unless instructed to do so.

• Iffuel tank must be drained,do so out-

tions for safe loading, unloading,trans-

port and storage of machine.

4

STEP2: InspectandTightenHardware

To preventpersonal injury or propertydamage, do notstart
the engine until all assemblystepsare completeand you

haveread and understandthe safetyand operatinginstruc-

tionsin this manual.

INTRODUCTION

Carefullyread these instructions in their entirety beforeyou
attempt to assembleor operateyour new equipment.

The Border EdgerAttachment (D, Figure 1) does not needto

be installed until you are readyto do edging projects (referto
instructions in Section 4).

UNPACKINGINSTRUCTIONS

1. Inspectyour machine immediately. If you find or suspect

damageto the carton or contents, contact your local autho-

rizeddealeror the Factoryfor assistance.

2. Removeany packingmaterial. Checkfor looseparts
beforediscarding the packing materialor carton. Looseparts engine is a vertical type, GX31 model).
includethe following:

(1) Wheel (for edging)
(1) EdgerTine
(2) *Long Bushings
(1) *Short Bushing

*Packedin a separateplastic bag.

3. Performtheassembly on a clean, level surface. Becareful
notto severely bendany of the control cables on the unit.

Checkall nuts,bolts and screws on your unit and tighten as

needed.

ToolsNeededtoCheckfor LooseHardware:

• Adjustablewrench

• Slotted-headscrewdriver

• Phillips-headscrewdriver

• 7/16" socket and extension
(to check hardware at endsof handlebar)

STEP3: AddMotorOilto Engine

IMPORTANT:Theengine is shipped without oil in the
crankcase. Donot start the enginewithout first adding motor

oil. Severeengine damagewill result if the engine is run
without motor oil.

1. Referto the separateEngineOwner'sManualfor motor oil

specifications andcapacities.

2. Add oil as described in the EngineOwner'sManual (the

ASSEMBLYSTEPS
STEP1: UnfoldandAdjustHandlebars

IMPORTANT: Be careful not to pinchany control cables.

Pushthecables out and away beforeswiveling the handle-
bars.

1. Loosenthe two handlebarknobs (A, Figure1) and unfold
the handlebarsinto the operating position. Do not useforce

-- if there is binding, continue to loosenthe knobs.

2. There aretwo height setting holes in the upper handlebar.
The unit is shippedwith the handlebarknobs in the lowest

heightsetting holes. If this height is correct for you, simply

tighten the two handlebarknobs. If desired, reposition the

handlebarknobs, mounting screws and washers in the other

set of holes.

3. Checkthe six (6) plastic ties (C, Figure1). Ties must be
positioned as shown.

NOTE:There is only one handlebarstorage position -folded

over and down as originally shipped.

C

\

Figure I