Troy-Bilt TB154E Owner's Manual

Operator’s Manual

Electric Garden Cultivator

TB154E

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

DO NOT RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE RETAILER. PROOF OF PURCHASE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR WARRANTY SERVICE.

For assistance regarding the assembly, controls, operation or maintenance of the unit, please call the Customer Support Department at 1-800-828-5500 in the United States or 1-800- 668-1238 in Canada. Additional information about the unit can be found on our website at www.troybilt.com or www.troybilt.ca.

For service, please call the Customer Support Department to obtain a list of authorized service dealers near you. Service on this unit, both within and after the warranty period, should only be performed by an authorized and approved service dealer. When servicing, use only identical replacement parts.

All information, illustrations, and specifications in this manual are based on the latest product information available at the time of printing. We reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

WARNING: When using the unit, you must follow

the safety rules. Please read these instructions before operating the unit in order to ensure the safety of the operator and any bystanders. Please keep these instructions for later use.

769-07416 P01 11/11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Rules for Safe Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Know Your Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Starting and Stopping Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Maintenance and Repair Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Troubleshooting Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

TRAINING

• Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the cultivator. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

• Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage tines quickly.

• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

• Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.

• Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least 50 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

PREPARATION

• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, and other foreign objects which could be tripped over and cause personal injury.

• Extension Cord—Make sure your extension cord set is in good condition, is heavy enough to carry the current your cultivator will draw.

If in doubt, use the next heavier gage cord. The smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. To reduce the likelihood of disconnection of the extension cord set from the cultivator, be sure to use the cord restraint provided.

• If extension cord is damaged in any manner while plugged in, disconnect extension cord from house receptacle.

• Inspect cultivator cord periodically, and if damaged, have it repaired by an authorized service facility. Inspect extension cord periodically and replace if damaged.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •

WARNING:

When using the unit, you must follow the safety rules. Please read these instructions before operating the unit in order to ensure the safety of the operator and any bystanders. Please keep these instructions for later use.

WARNING: When using electric gardening

appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, including the following:

WARNING: To reduce risk of electric shock use

only UL Listed extension cord suitable for outdoor use, such as Type SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOWA, SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A.

WARNING: Do not change the plug on the

cultivator in any way.

MINIMUM WIRE SIZE FOR EXTENSION CORDS

FOR 120 VOLT APPLIANCES USING 6-10 AMPS Cord Length (ft.) 25 50 100 150 Wire Size (AWG) 18 16 14 12

DANGER: Signals an EXTREME hazard.

Failure to obey a safety DANGER signal WILL result in serious injury or death to yourself or to others.

WARNING: Signals a SERIOUS hazard.

Failure to obey a safety WARNING signal CAN result in serious injury to yourself or to others.

CAUTION: Signals a MODERATE hazard.

Failure to obey a safety CAUTION signal MAY result in property damage or injury to yourself or to others.

• SAFETY ALERT SYMBOLS •

Safety alert symbols are used to draw your attention to

possible dangers. These symbols, and their explanations,

deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety

warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The

instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for proper

accident prevention measures. These safety instructions are

not meant to cover every possible condition that may occur. If

questions arise, please call the Customer Support Department

at 1-800-828-5500 (U.S.) or 1-800-668-1238 (Canada).

SYMBOL MEANING

IMPORTANT! Signals special mechanical information. NOTE: Signals additional important general information.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and certain

finished components contain lead, lead compounds and chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

• Grounding Instructions—The cultivator should be grounded while in use to reduce the risk of electric shock to the operator. The cultivator is equipped with a three-conductor cord and a threeprong grounding plug to fit the proper grounding receptacle. The green (or green and yellow) wire conductor in the cord is the grounding wire. Never connect the green (or green and yellow) wire to a live terminal. Your cultivator has a plug (Fig. A). An adapter is available for connecting plugs to two-prong receptacles (Fig. A). The green-colored rigid ear, lug, or the like, must be connected to a permanent ground, such as a properly grounded outlet box.

• Use only three-wire outdoor extension cords that have threeprong grounding plugs and grounding receptacles that accept the cultivator’s plug.

• Keep handle dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.

• Fuses—The cultivator should be operated on a 15 or 20 AMP circuit. If difficulty in starting is experienced with a standard 15 AMP fuse or circuit breaker or the cultivator’s built-in overload protection switch frequently trips, contact your nearest authorized service location. Do not use a higher rated fuse without consulting your power company.

• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuit(s) or outlet(s) to be used for the cultivator. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments while motor is running.

OPERATION

• Avoid dangerous environment. Don’t use cultivator in damp or wet locations.

• Don’t use the cultivator in the rain.

• Do not operate cultivator on excessively steep slopes.

• Avoid unintentional starting. Don’t carry plugged-in cultivator with your hands/fingers on the motor starting controls.

• Do not abuse cord. Never pull or carry the cultivator by cord or yank the cord to disconnect it from the receptacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.

• If extension cord is damaged in any manner while plugged in, disconnect extension cord from house receptacle.

• Dress properly. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes or jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in bare feet or sandals. Use of rubber gloves is recommended when working outdoors. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.

• Wear safety glasses or goggles when operating this unit. Wear a face or dust mask if the operation is dusty. Such protective equipment is available from your authorized service dealer or retailer.

• Use the right tool. Do not use cultivator for any job except that for which it is intended.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

Fig. A

Cover of Grounded Outlet Box

Grounding Pin

Adapter

Rigid Ear/

Metal Screw

• Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with the rotating parts can amputate fingers, hands, and feet.

• Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Only operate cultivator in daylight or good artificial light. Don’t overreach. Keep proper footing and balance and a firm hold on the handle at all times.

• Stay alert. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. Do not operate cultivator when you are tired.

• Don’t force cultivator. It will do a better job and with less likelihood of a risk of injury if operated at the rate for which it was designed.

• Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least 50 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

• Be careful when cultivating in hard ground. The tines may catch in the ground and propel the cultivator forward. If this occurs, let go of the handle and do not restrain the machine.

• Never operate the machine at high transport speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.

• Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

• Look down, behind, and use care when pulling machine towards you.

• Start the motor according to the instructions found in this manual and keep feet well away from the tines at all times.

• After striking a foreign object, stop the motor and disconnect the power cord to prevent accidental starting. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating.

• Stop the motor, disconnect the power cord to prevent accidental starting and wait until the tines come to a complete stop before unclogging the tines, making any adjustments, or inspections.

• Use caution when cultivating near fences, buildings and underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause property damage or personal injury.

• Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to cultivate soil too deep or too fast of a rate.

• If the machine should start making an unusual noise or vibration, stop the motor and disconnect the power cord to prevent accidental starting. Inspect machine thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before starting motor and operating.

• Keep all shields, guards and safety devices in place and operating properly.

• To avoid an electrical shock hazard, never push or pull the cultivator over the electrical cord while operating.

• When picking up the cultivator, use the handle provided. Don’t grasp the tines when picking up or holding the cultivator. Never pick up or carry machine while the motor is running.

• Use only attachments and accessories approved by the cultivator manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury and/or damage to your cultivator.

• If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

• Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.

• Before leaving the equipment, changing tine width, cleaning, repairing, making adjustments and the like, stop the motor, disconnect the power cord to prevent accidental starting and make certain the tines and all moving parts have stopped.

• Do not wash cultivator with a hose. Avoid getting water on motor and electrical connections

• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

• Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading, transporting, and storage of this machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

• Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper instructions on off-season storage. When not in use, cultivator should be stored indoors in a dry, and high or locked-up place out of the reach of children.

• Maintain cultivator with care. Follow instructions for lubrication and cleaning.

• Check for damaged parts. Before further use, a guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended function. Check alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other condition that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service center.

SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS

This operator's manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product. Read the operator's manual for complete safety, assembly, operating and maintenance and repair information.

SYMBOL MEANING

• GARDEN CULTIVATORS – ROTATING TINES CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY

WARNING: Stop the motor, unplug the

extension cord, and allow the tines to stop before removing tines, or before cleaning or performing any maintenance. Keep hands and feet away from rotating tines.

• WARNING - READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Read the operator’s manual(s) and follow all warnings and safety instructions. Failure to do so can result in serious injury to the operator and/or bystanders.

SYMBOL MEANING

• SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL

Indicates danger, warning or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

WARNING: Restrict the use of this power

machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

APPLICATIONS

• Cultivating sod and light to medium soil

• Cultivating in garden areas, around trees, etc.

KNOW YOUR UNIT

Bail

Tine Shield

Tines

Overload

Protection Switch

Starter Button

Handlebar

Wheel

Cord Guide Bar

Cord

Retainer

Front Handle

Wheel Support

Bracket

Handlebar Knob

Cord Outlet

Receptacle

NO ASSEMBLY TOOLS REQUIRED

ASSEMBLING THE HANDLEBARS

Before you can operate the unit, you must install the handlebars.

1. When you unpack the unit, hold the handle bar in the position shown in Figure 1 and slide it onto the lower bars.

2. Align the holes in the handlebar with the holes in the lower bars and insert the bolts through those holes.

3. Hold the handle in place while screwing the knobs onto the bolts (Fig. 2).

4. Tighten the knobs to secure the handlebars in place.

NOTE: Do not over-tighten the knobs.

5. Check to make sure the bail is assembled into the switch assembly (Fig. 1, Inset A).

NOTE: Take care not to pinch the switch cable when

positioning the handlebars.

6. Clip the switch cable to the cable restraint on the lower bar as shown in Figure 1, Inset B.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: To prevent serious personal injury,

do not connect electric extension cord to unit until fully completing cultivator assembly.

USING THE CORD RETAINER

There is an extension cord re tainer to prevent the extension cord from disconnecting during use. The retainer hangs from the cord guide bar.

NOTE: Do not plug the extension cord into the power source

receptacle until the cord is connected to the cord retainer and plugged into the unit.

To use the cord retainer:

1. Fold the extension cord in half, forming a tight loop near the receptacle.

2. Push the loop through the bottom hole in the retainer (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

3. Slide the loop over the retaining clip and pull down until the cord fits snugly (Fig. 4).

NOTE: Use a UL-approved extension cord. A 100-foot, 14-

gauge cord is recommended. A 50-foot, 16-gauge cord is acceptable.

The cord retainer keeps the extension cord safely to the side of the operator by sliding to the left and right on the guide bar as the unit is moved. Connect your extension cord to the unit as shown in Figure 5.

STARTING INSTRUCTIONS

Connecting to an Electrical Power Source NOTE: Connect your extension cord to the cultivator as

instructed on the previous page prior to plugging your extension cord into an electrical outlet.

1. Plug your extension cord into any convenient (indoor or outdoor) 120-volt, 60-cycle AC grounded outlet or receptacle. Your cultivator will operate satisfactorily on a circuit with a 15 ampere breaker.

NOTE: To avoid tripping circuit breakers, select an outlet on

a circuit that is not overloaded. Do NOT select an outlet that is on a circuit hosting appliances such as a refrigerator.

2. Stand behind the cultivator, in the operating position.

3. Pivot the cultivator slightly toward the rear, so that its weight is resting on the wheels and the tines are NOT in contact with the ground

4. Depress the (red) starter button and hold it in (Fig. 6, no. 1).

NOTE: Starting the cultivator's motor also starts tilling action.

5. While holding the starter button in, pivot the bail upward against the handle bar (Fig. 6, no. 2) to start the motor and engage the tines.

NOTE: The cultivator's motor will NOT start if you fail to hold

the starter button in while pivoting the bail upward.

6. Release the (red) starter button and grasp the handle and bail together with both hands (Fig. 7).

STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Release the bail.

2. The starter button will pop out, the bail will pivot downward and the motor will stop.

OVERLOAD PROTECTION SWITCH

This cultivator is equipped with an overload protection switch to prevent overheating damage to the motor. If the overload protection switch pops out:

1. Release the bail and do NOT re-start the cultivator for at least one minute, allowing for the electric motor time to cool.

2. Press the overload protection switch inward to reset (Fig. 6, no. 3).

If the overload protection switch pops out shortly after resetting:

1. Release the bail and do NOT re-start the cultivator for at least 15 minutes to allow the electric motor extra time to cool.

2. Press the overload protection switch inward to reset.

3. Restart unit.

NOTE: If the overload protection switch pops out repeatedly

during operation or will not remain in when attempting to reset, contact your Troy-Bilt Parts and Repair Center to arrange for repair.

STARTING AND STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Make sure

you are in the operating position behind the cultivator when using it. To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit should be in a stable position while starting.

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

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