4Se c t i o N 2 — iM p o r t a N t Sa f e op e r a t i o N pr a c t i c e S
Use only attachments and accessories approved by the20.
manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use21.
care and good judgement. Contact Customer Support for
assistance and the name of you nearest servicing dealer..
Maintenance & Storage
Keep machine, attachments and accessories in safe1.
working order.
Allow a machine to cool at least five minutes before2.
storing. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.
Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent3.
intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition.
Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, stop the engine4.
and make certain the tines and all moving parts have
stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it
against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed5.
the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of engine.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as6.
necessary.
Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,7.
transporting, and storage of this machine.
Always refer to the operator’s manual for important details8.
if the machine is to be stored for an extended period.
If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.9.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil,10.
etc. to protect the environment.
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission11.
(CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years,
or 130 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful
Life have the machine inspected annually by an authorized
service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety
systems are working properly and not worn excessively.
Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.
Notice Regarding Emissions
Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal
EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment)
are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and
may include the following emission control systems: Engine
Modification (EM), Oxidizing Catalyst (OC), Secondary Air
Injection (SAI) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.
Never store the machine or fuel container insidel.
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
Operation
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with1.
the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.
Do not operate machine while under the influence of2.
alcohol or drugs.
Never operate this machine without good visibility or light.3.
Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the
handles.
Keep bystanders away from the machine while it is in4.
operation. Stop the machine if anyone enters the area.
Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The tines may catch5.
in the ground and propel the tiller forward. If this occurs,
let go of the handle bars and do not restrain the machine.
Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing6.
gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. Do
not carry passengers.
Never operate the machine at high transport speeds on7.
hard or slippery surfaces.
Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.8.
Look down and behind and use care when in reverse or9.
pulling machine towards you.
Start the engine according to the instructions found in this10.
manual and keep feet well away from the tines at all times.
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect11.
the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.
Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair
the damage before starting and operating.
Disengage all clutch levers (if fitted) and stop engine12.
before you leave the operating position (behind the
handles). Wait until the tines come to a complete stop
before unclogging the tines, making any adjustments, or
inspections.
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area.13.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas.
Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do14.
not touch.
Use caution when tilling near fences, buildings and15.
underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause property
damage or personal injury.
Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to till soil16.
too deep at too fast of a rate.
If the machine should start making an unusual noise or17.
vibration, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire
and ground it against the engine. Inspect thoroughly for
damage. Repair any damage before starting and operating.
Keep all shields, guards, and safety devices in place and18.
operating properly.
Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is running.19.
