Poulan 159399 - Manual (Page 11)

OPERATION
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13) TILLING HINTS
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
WÜ! take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move
fuel from the tank to the engine,
o Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
® Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neutral) position.
® Piace throttle control in “FAST” position.
« With engine fully choked, grasp recoil starter handle
with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand.
Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of com­
pression cycle (rope will puli slightly harder at this
point).
« Pu!! recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter
handle snap back against starter. Repeat if necessary
in half choked position.
« 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 lor 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 advisabie to till the soil at the end
of the growing season to further condition the soil.
Soil conditions are importantfor propertiiling. 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 wHI “ball-up” or clump
during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to
achieve the best resuits. When tilling in the fall, remove
vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping
around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
For easier handling of your tiller, leave about 8 inches
(20 cm) of uniilied soil between the first and second
tilling passes. The third pass will be between the first
and second (See 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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