Troy-Bilt 8 HP - Manual (Page 12)

C. Before shifting into “REVERSE”,
always look behind you to make
sure there are no obstacles in the
way. Then raise the tines out of the
soil by lifting up on the handlebars,
and slowly lift the lever all the
way up. See Photo 2-3. To return
to “NEUTRAL”, simply let go of
the lever.
Please remember that you should
never till when in “REVERSE” (al­
ways disengage the tines with the
separate Tines/PTO Clutch Lever
before reversing). You should also
avoid using “REVERSE” with any
PTO driven attachments as they are
not designed for reverse operation.
Until you are completely com­
fortable with handling the machine
when it is moving backward, it is a
good idea to use “REVERSE” only
at slower wheel and engine throttle
speeds. Many people never shift
into “REVERSE” when the separate
Wheel Speed Lever is in the “FAST”
wheel speed position. This is a
good rule to follow.
2-3: Lift handlebars, then lift and hold
lever up to go in reverse. Let go of
lever to stop reverse motion. (Note
that the clutch roller doesn’t move very
far from “NEUTRAL” to “REVERSE”.)
A
CAUTION
TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR
DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT:
• Always place the Wheeis/Tines/
PTO Drive Lever in “NEUTRAL” be­
fore starting the engine, and before
engaging the wheels, tines or other
PTO driven attachments.
• Always make sure there are no
obstacles behind you before oper­
ating in “REVERSE”.
• The Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive
Lever should automatically return
to “NEUTRAL” when you release it
from the “REVERSE” position. If it
fails to do so, push it down into
“NEUTRAL”. Then, immediately re­
fer to Section
6
of this Manual
for adjustment instructions.
• There should not be any reverse
motion if the Wheels/Tines/PTO
Drive Lever is not held in the “RE­
VERSE” position. If there is, the
machine is badly out of adjustment
and it should not be operated until
the condition is corrected. See Sec­
tion
6
for adjustment instructions.
• Always return to “NEUTRAL”
and allow all motion to stop before
shifting into “FORWARD” or “RE­
VERSE”. This pause between shift­
ing will protect the drive belt,
reverse disc, and other transmis­
sion components from undue wear
and damage.
2. Forward Interlock Levers
There are two Forward Interlock
Levers, one located directly below
each handlebar grip. See Photo
2-4. One or both of the interlock
levers must be kept squeezed
against the handlebar grip(s) when­
ever the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive
Lever is engaged in “FORWARD”.
If you release both interlock
levers before first returning the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever to
“NEUTRAL”, the engine will shut
off. This is a safety feature for your
protection should you ever lose
control of the machine and cannot
stop forward motion by moving the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever into
“NEUTRAL”.
NOTE: The interlock levers do
not affect operation when the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever is
in “REVERSE”.
To operate the
Forward interlock Levers:
A. Squeeze one of the interlock
levers against the handlebar grip
before engaging the Wheeis/Tines/
PTO Drive Lever in “FORWARD”.
Continue to squeeze one or both
of the interlock levers during all
forward operation.
B. To stop forward operation in
normal use, first shift the Wheels/
Tines/PTO Drive Lever into “NEU­
TRAL” and then release BOTH in­
terlock levers. All forward motion
will stop, but the engine will con­
tinue to run.
C. To stop forward motion in an
emergency, release BOTH interlock
levers. This will cause the engine
to shut off, stopping all forward
motion.
2-4: The Forward Interlock Levers.
A
WARNING
To help avoid personal injury, the
Forward Interlock Safety System
should first be tested for proper
functioning every time the tiller or
PTO Power Unit is used. See Sec­
tion 3 in this Manual for the easy
testing procedure to follow.
10