Troy-Bilt 12157 - Manual (Page 6)

Section 1
: Safety Instructions
Your Tiller has been carefully designed and assembled. However, as with any other piece of
powered equipment, the operator must follow safe operating practices at ail times. Failure to do
so could result in personal injury or damage to the equipment or property.
Before assembling, operating or servicing the Tiller or its engine, carefully read and follow all
of the safety instructions found in this Owner / Operator Manual, in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual, and in any other literature you may receive. If you ever have any questions,
please contact your local Authorized Dealer, or contact us at the Factory.
If you ever lend your machine to someone, make sure that he or she reads, understands, and
follows the Safety Instructions. Always use this equipment carefully and keep safety in mind.
A SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL. This symbol is used to alert you to im­
portant safety messages in this Manual and on decals which are
on your tiller regarding potential hazards. When you see this sym­
bol, carefully read and follow its safety message. Failure to do so can re­
sult in personal injury or property damage.
TRAINING
1. Carefully read this Owner/Operator Manual,
the separate Engine Owner’s Manual, and any
other literature you may receive. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper use of
the tiller/cultivator and its engine. Know how to
stop the unit and disengage the controls quickly.
2. Never let children or uninstructed adults oper­
ate this equipment. Let adults operate the tiller
only if instructed properly.
3.
Keep the area of operation clear of all per­
sons, particularly small children and pets.
4.
Keep in mind that the operator or user is re­
sponsible for accidents or hazards occurring to
other people, their property, and themselves.
PREPARATION
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the tiller is
to be used and remove all foreign objects.
2.
Disengage all control levers before starting
the engine.
3. Do not operate the tiller without wearing ade­
quate outer garments. Avoid loose garments or
jewelry that could get caught in moving parts of
the tiller/cultivator or its engine.
4. Do not operate the tiller when barefoot or wear­
ing sandals, sneakers, or light footwear. Wear
footwear which grips well on slippery surfaces.
5.
Do not till near underground electric cables,
telephone lines, pipes or hoses. If in doubt, con­
tact your telephone or utility company.
6. Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable and
its vapors are explosive. Follow 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 en­
gine is hot.
c. Keep matches, cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
open flames, and sparks away from the fuel
tank and fuel container.
d. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care.
Never fill fuel tank indoors. Use a funnel or
spout to prevent spillage.
e. Replace all fuel tank and 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 creating any
source of ignition until fuel vapors have
dissipated.
7. Never make adjustments when engine is run­
ning (unless specifically recommended by the
manufacturer).
OPERATION
1. The correct operator’s position is when you
are standing behind the handlebars, hands on
handlebar grips, facing forward toward the en­
gine. Do not leave this position while using the
engine throttle lever.
2. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotat­
ing parts.
3.
Exercise extreme caution when on or cross­
ing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for
hidden hazards or traffic.
4. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it
from touching the spark plug, then carefully look