Poulan 164739 - Manual (Page 11)

OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13) TILLING HINTS
A
CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in
“DISENGAGED” position when start­
ing engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
• Make sure spark plug wire Is properly connected.
• Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neutral) position.
• Place throttle control in “FAST’ position.
• Move choke control to full “CHOKE” position. Grasp
recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller
handle with other hand. Puli rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will
puli slightly harder at this point),
• Puli recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter
handle snap back against starter. Repeat if necessary.
® If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to
half choke position. Pul! recoil starter handle until
engine starts.
• When engine starts, slowly move choke control to
“RUN” position as engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.
• Move throttle control to desired running position.
• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32“F), the carburetor fuel mixture
may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See
“TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjust­
ments section of this manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see troubleshooting points.
CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
handling your tiller, start actual field
use with throttle in slow position (mid­
way between “FAST” and “IDLE”).
Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up
packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil
helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6" (10-15
cm). A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted
vegetation. The decomposition of this vegetable mat­
ter enriches the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall
and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end
of the growing season to further condition the soil.
Soil conditions are important for propertiliing. Tines will
not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contrib­
ute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your
tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling;
however, extremely wet soil will “ball-up” or clump
during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to
achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove
vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping
around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row
unfilled between passes. Then go back between tilled
rows. (See Fig. 14) There are two reasons for doing
this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than
about-faces. Second, the tiller won’t be pulling itself,
and you, toward the row next to it.
FIG, 14
• Do not lean on handle. This takes weight off the wheels
and reduces traction. To get through a really tough
section of sod or hard ground, apply upward pressure
on handle or lower the depth stake.
TINE SHEAR PINS
The tine assemblies on your tiller are secured to the tine
shaft with shear pins (See “TINE REPLACEMENT’ in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual).
If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear
pins are designed to break before internal damage occurs
to the transmission.
• If shear pin(s) break, replace only with those shown in
the Repair Parts section of this manual.
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