Troy-Bilt 8 HP - Manual (Page 18)

SECTION 3:
Before you attempt to operate
your tiller make sure that you’ve
read and fully understand all of the
Safety instructions in Section 1
and the Controls information in
Section 2. You should also read
this Section carefully before start­
ing your engine.
You should practice with your
tiller in an open, level area before
you use it in your garden. While
practicing, do so without the tines
revolving (disengage the tines with
the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever).
When you’ve become completely
familiar with your tiller, you can
begin using it in your garden.
A
WARNING
To avoid personal injury or damage
to equipment, read the Owner/Op-
erator Manuals provided with any
optional accessories or attach­
ments before operating the tiller or
PTC Power Unit. The Manuals pro­
vide a detailed description of proper
use and operation, and point out
other important Safety Instructions.
Break-in operation
During the first few hours of new
machine operation, you must per­
form the following maintenance.
For subsequent required mainte­
nance, and the procedures to fol­
low, please refer to Section
6
in
this Manual.
1. CHANGE ENGINE OIL. The en­
gine oil must be changed after the
first 5 hours of new engine opera­
tion. Thereafter, change the oil after
each 10 operating hours. Change
the oil more frequently when oper­
ating in extremely dusty or dirty
conditions.
2. CHECK TRANSMISSION GEAR
OIL LEVEL. The gear oil levels must
be checked after the first
2
hours
of new tiller operation. Thereafter,
check the oil levels after every 30
operating hours.
■a
3. CHECK DRIVE BELT TENSION.
The tension on the drive belt may
need to be adjusted after the first
2
or 3 hours of new operation due to
initial belt wear and seating of the
belt with its pulleys. Thereafter,
check the tension after every
10
operating hours.
4. CHECK BOLTS AND NUTS.
Check for loose bolts and nuts
after the first
2
hours of new tiller
operation. Thereafter, check after
every
10
operating hours.
Preparation before starting
Make the following checks and
perform the services as required
before starting the engine.
1. CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL.
Check the oil level in the engine
crankcase. Do not run the engine
unless the proper oil level is
maintained.
2. SERVICE AIR CLEANER. Make
sure that the air cleaner elements
are not dirty.
3. CHECK SAFETY GUARDS. Make
sure that all safety guards and cov­
ers are securely in place.
4. ATTACH SPARK PLUG WIRE. Be
sure that the spark plug wire is
securely attached to the spark
plug.
5. CHECK ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM. The cooling fins and air
intake screen must be clean to
ensure adequate cooling.
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.................................................
6
. ADJUST HANDLEBARS. Set the
handlebars to a comfortable oper­
ating height.
7. CHECK BATTERY (Eiectric Start
Models). Make sure that the bat­
tery is properly filled and that all
electrical connections are clean
and tight.
8
. FiLL FUEL TANK WITH GASO­
LINE. Avoid using gasoline that is
not fresh, as stale fuel can cause
gum deposits to form in the carbu­
retor and fuel lines. Fuel should
not be stored for more than six
months. The use of unleaded gas­
oline is recommended as it resuits
in fewer combustion deposits and
longer engine life. DO NOT MIX OIL
WITH THE GASOLINE.
(a) Clean the fuel cap and its sur­
rounding area before removing the
cap.
(b) Use a clean funnel to add fuel
to the fuel tank.
(c) Do not fill the tank to the point of
overflowing. Fill to within Ta-inch of
the top of the tank to prevent spiils
and to allow for fuel expansion.
(d) For 7 HP Briggs & Stratton
Engines: use clean, fresh, lead-free
automotive gasoline (leaded gas­
oline may be used if unleaded is
unavailable). Use gasoline that has
a minimum octane rating of 77. Do
not use gasoline containing Meth­
anol. The use of gasoline which
contains alcohol (such as gasohol)
is not recommended. If you are
16