MTD 12211 - Manual (Page 13)

13
Before operating your machine, care-
fully read and understand all safety,
controls and operating instructions in
this Manual, the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual, and on the decals on
the machine.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in serious personal injury.
WARNING
INTRODUCTION
This Section describes the location and
function of the controls on your tiller.
Refer to the following section “Operation”
for detailed operating instructions.
Practice using these controls, with the
engine shut off, until you understand the
operation of the controls and feel confi-
dent with each of them.
IMPORTANT: Refer to the separate engine
manufacturer’s Engine Owner’s Manual
for information about the controls on the
engine.
ENGINE CONTROLS
Refer to the engine manufacturer's Engine
Owner’s Manual (included in the tiller lit-
erature package) to identify the controls
on your engine.
IMPORTANT: The control for stopping
the engine is located on the engine.
WHEEL GEAR LEVER
This lever (A, Figure 3-1) has two posi-
tions: ENGAGE and DISENGAGE.
In the ENGAGE position, the wheels will
start turning when either the Forward
Clutch Control or the Reverse Clutch
Control is engaged (the tines will also
start turning when either clutch is
engaged).
The DISENGAGE position places the
wheels in the freewheeling mode to allow
the unit to be moved without the engine
running. Use the DISENGAGE position
only when the engine is not running. See
“DANGER” statement that follows.
To shift to ENGAGE, gently (do not force)
move the lever forward while also rolling
the tiller a few inches forward or back-
ward. Moving the tiller helps to align the
shift mechanism with the transmission
wheel drive gears.
To shift to DISENGAGE (freewheel),
move the lever rearward, without rolling
the tiller. The wheels will roll freely
when the lever is properly set in the
DISENGAGE position.
FORWARD CLUTCH CONTROL
The two interconnected levers (B, Figure
3-1) control the engagement of forward
drive to the wheels and tines.
To Operate the Forward Clutch Control:
1. Before engaging the Forward Clutch
Control, put the Wheel Gear Lever in the
ENGAGE position (see “WARNING”
below).
2. Pull up and hold one or both of the
levers against the handlebar grips to
engage the wheels and tines.
3. Release BOTH levers to disengage
(stop) the wheels and tines. All forward
motion will stop (the engine will continue
to run).
Section
3
Features and Controls
Figure 3-1: Controls located on handlebar.
A
C
Never place the Wheel Gear Lever in
DISENGAGE (Freewheel) when the
engine is running.
Having the Wheel Gear Lever in
DISENGAGE and then engaging the
tines/wheels with either the Forward
Clutch Control or the Reverse Clutch
Control could allow the tines to propel
the tiller rapidly forward or backward.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in personal injury or property
damage.
DANGER
Never engage the wheels and tines with
the Forward Clutch Control or the
Reverse Clutch Control unless the
Wheel Gear Lever is in ENGAGE.
Engaging the Forward Clutch Control or
the Reverse Clutch Control when the
wheels are not engaged could allow the
tines to rapidly propel the tiller forward
or backward.
Failure to follow this warning could
result in personal injury or property
damage.
WARNING
B