Troy-Bilt 8 HP - Manual (Page 9)

OPERATION
1. Do not put hands or feet near or
under rotating parts.
2. Exercise extreme caution when
operating on or crossing gravel
drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert
for hidden hazards or traffic.
3. After striking a foreign object,
stop the engine, remove the key on
electric start models, disconnect
the spark plug wire, and thoroughiy
i nspect the ti I ier for any damage.
Repair the damage before restart­
ing and operating the tiller.
4. Exercise caution to avoid slip­
ping or falling.
5. If the machine should start to
vibrate abnormally, stop the engine,
remove the wire from the spark
plug, and check immediately for
the cause. Vibration is generally a
warning of trouble.
6
. Stop the engine, remove the key
on electric start models, and dis­
connect the spark plug whenever
you leave the operating position,
before unclogging the tines, and
when making any repairs, adjust­
ments, or inspections.
7. Take all possible precautions
when leaving the tiller unattended.
Shift into “NEUTRAL”, stop the en­
gine, remove the key on electric
start models, and disconnect the
spark plug wire to prevent acci­
dental starting.
8
. Before cleaning, repairing, or in­
specting, stop the engine, remove
the key on electric start models,
and make certain all moving parts
have stopped. Disconnect the
spark plug wire and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent ac­
cidental starting. For electrical
saftey, always remove the cable
from the negative (-) side of the
battery (on electric start models)
before attempting any repairs or
maintenance.
9. Always keep the flap on the tine
hood down when operating the
tiller, except when using the hiller/
furrower attachment.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
10. Never operate the tiller without
proper guards, shields, plates, or
other safety protective devices in
place.
11. Do not run the engine in an en­
closed area; exhaust fumes con­
tain carbon monoxide gas, a deadly
poison that is odorless, colorless
and tasteless. Always make sure
there is adequate ventilation when
the engine is running.
12. Keep children and pets away.
13. Never operate the tiller under
engine power if the Wheel Speed
Lever is in the “FREEWHEEL”
position. In “FREEWHEEL”, the
wheels will not hold the tiller back
and the revolving tines could pro­
pel the tiller rapidly, possibly caus­
ing loss of control. Always engage
the Wheel Speed Lever in either
the “FAST” or “SLOW” wheel
speed position before starting the
engine or engaging the tines with
the Wheeis/Tines/PTO Drive Lever.
14. Be aware that the tiller may
unexpectedly bounce upward or
jump forward and be propelled
away from you if the tines should
strike or catch extremely hard-
packed soil, sod, frozen ground, or
buried obstacles such as large
stones, roots, or stumps. If you are
in doubt about the tiling condi­
tions, always use the following
operating precautions to assist you
in maintaining control of the tiller.
(a) Walk behind and to one side of
the tiller, using just one hand
on the handlebars. Relax your
arm, but use a secure hand grip.
(b) Use shallower depth regulator
settings, gradually working
down deeper with each tilling
pass.
(c) Use slowerwheel, tine and en­
gine throttle speeds.
(d) Clearthetillingareaof all
large stones, roots, and other
debris.
(e) Avoid applying downward
pressure on the handlebars. If
necessary, apply slight upward
pressure to prevent the tines
from digging too deeply.
(f) Always avoid contacting hard-
packed soil or sod at the end
of a row by reducing the en­
gine speed and lifting the han­
dlebars to raise the tines out of
the soii.
(g) In an emergency, stop the tines
and wheels by shifting the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever
into “NEUTRAL”. If you cannot
reach the lever or have lost
control of the tiller, LET GO of
the handlebars and all controls
and do not attempt to restrain
the tiller.
15. Do not overload the machine
capacity by attempting to till too
deeply at too fast a rate.
16. Never operate the tiller at high
transport speeds on slippery sur­
faces.
17. Do not operate til Ier on a slope
that is too steep for safety. When
on slopes, slow down and make
sure you have good footing. Never
permit the tiller to free-wheel down
slopes.
18. Clear the area of bystanders
before tilling.