Before starting – Cub Cadet RT 65 User Manual
Page 9

9
SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR TILLER
NOTE:
Engine is shipped without oil.
WARNING:
Use the reverse tine drive
when tilling virgin ground, sod or hard soil.
Use the forward tine drive when cultivating or
tilling soft ground.
Before Starting
•
Service engine with oil as instructed in the 
separate engine manual packed with your unit.
•
Fill fuel tank with clean, fresh, lead-free, low-lead or 
regular grade leaded gasoline.
To Start Engine
WARNING:
Be sure no one is standing in
front of the tiller while the engine is running or
being started.
•
Place the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit) 
position.
•
Move choke lever to CHOKE position.
NOTE:
A warm engine may not require choking.
•
Stand at side of tiller. Grasp the starter handle with 
your right hand and pull out slowly, until it pulls 
slightly harder. Place your left hand on the lower 
portion of the upper handle.
•
Pull starter handle rapidly. Do not allow handle to 
snap back. Allow it to rewind slowly while keeping a 
firm hold on the starter handle.
•
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until engine starts.
•
As engine warms up and begins to operate evenly, 
move choke lever gradually to RUN position. If 
engine falters, return to choke position, then slowly 
move to RUN position.
•
Refer to engine manual for additional engine 
information.
NOTE:
After starting engine and prior to using the
tiller, be certain to check the clutch adjustment as
described in “Checking the Clutch Adjustment” section
of Assembly Instructions.
To Stop Engine
•
Move throttle control to the STOP position.
•
Disconnect spark plug wire and ground to prevent 
accidentally starting while equipment is 
unattended.
NOTE:
After the first ten hours of operation, recheck
the clutch adjustment. Refer to “Checking the Clutch
Adjustment” section of the Assembly Instructions.
WARNING:
When operating the tiller for
the first time, use the depth stake setting that
gives 1 inch of tilling depth (second hole from
the top). See Figure 7.
Tilling depth is controlled by the depth stake which can 
be adjusted to five different settings. See Figure 7. 
Adjust the side shields as shown in Figure 8, as you 
adjust the depth stake. Be certain spark plug wire is 
disconnected and grounded against the engine.
•
When using the tiller for the first time, use the 
second adjustment hole from the top (1" of tilling 
depth). See Figure 7.
•
When breaking up sod and for shallow cultivation, 
use the setting which gives 1" of tilling depth 
(second hole from the top). Place the side shields in 
their lowest position. For further depth, raise the 
depth stake and side shields and make one or two 
more passes over the area.
•
When tilling loose soil, depth stake may be raised 
to its highest position (use bottom adjustment hole) 
to give the deepest tilling depth. Raise the side 
shields to their highest position.
Figure 7
•
To transport tiller, lower the depth stake (use top 
adjustment hole).
•
To adjust the depth stake, remove the clevis pin 
and hairpin clip. See Figure 7. Move the depth 
stake to the desired setting.
•
To adjust the side shields, remove the front wing 
nut and loosen the rear wing nut. See Figure 8. 
Place side shield in position desired. Replace wing 
nuts and tighten securely.
Use This
Position
First Time
Transport
Position
Clevis
 Pin
Hairpin
Clip
