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IMPORTANT MANUAL DO NOT THROW AWAY
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
WARNING:
Read this Man u al and follow all Warnings
MODEL:
and Safety Instructions. Fail ure to do so
can re sult in serious in ju ry.
VF550
FRONT TINE TILLER
ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION
Visit our website: www.poulan.com
02.23.10 AP/TH
433552 Rev. 2 Printed in the U.S.A.
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SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Ro ta ry Tillers • Keep children and pets away. TRAINING • Read the Owner’s Manual care ful ly. Be thor ough ly • Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting to till too deep at too fast a rate. fa mil iar with the controls and the proper use of the equip ment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage • Never operate the machine at high speeds on slippery the controls quickly. surfaces. Look behind and use care when backing
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CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS • Read and observe the safety rules. • Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for Gasoline Capacity: 0.9 Quarts (0,85 L) and using your tiller. Unleaded Regular • Follow instructions under “Maintenance” and “Stor age” Oil (API-SG-SL): SAE 10w-30(Above 32°F/0°C) sections of this Manual. (Capacity: 20 oz./0.6L) SAE 5w-30(Below 32°F/0°C) IMPORTANT: THIS UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL Spark Plug: Champion RJ19LM or J19LM COMBUST
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ASSEMBLY Your new tiller has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tiller all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary ensure proper tightness. UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL HANDLE TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY (See Fig. 2 and 3) A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed. CAUTION: Be careful of exposed
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ASSEMBLY TO INSTALL DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 4) • Remove screw(s) securing depth stake to skid and discard the screw(s). • Slide depth stake down into transport arm track, lin- ing up a hole in the depth stake with hole in transport arm. • Install clevis pin and hairpin clip. DEPTH STAKE CLEVIS PIN HAIRPIN CLIP Fig. 4 TILLING WIDTH • Tilling width may be adjusted to better handle your tilling con di tions (See “TINE ARRANGEMENT” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.) TINE OPE
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OPERATION KNOW YOUR TILLER READ THIS MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER. Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. FORWARD TINE CONTROL PRIMER RECOIL STARTER HANDLE THROTTLE CONTROL DEPTH STAKE Fig. 5 MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Our t
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OPERATION The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting your tiller and while tilling. We recommend a wide vision safety mask for over spectacles or standard safety glasses. 00155 TILLING HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER The speed and depth of tilling is regulated by the position Know how to operate all controls before adding fuel and of the depth stake. oil or attemptin
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OPERATION IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW BEFORE STARTING ENGINE 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GAS O LINE IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT TO TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER START ING. ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING OIL OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN AP PROVED, CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gas o hol CLEAN, COVERED CON TAIN ERS. USE CLEAN FILL FUNNELS. or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture CHECK ENGIN
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OPERATION BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER Break-in your belt(s), pulleys and tine control before you actually begin tilling. • Start engine, tip tines off ground by pressing handles down and engage tine control to start tine rotation. Allow tines to rotate for five minutes. 4 321 TILLING HINTS CAUTION: Until you are accustomed 5 67 to handling your tiller, start ac tu al field use with throttle in slow position. To help tiller move forward, lift up the handles slightly (thus lifting depth stak
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MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE SERVICE DATES REGULAR SERVICE Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil 3 1,2 Oil Pivot Points Inspect Spark Arrester / Muffler Clean Air Cooling System 2 Clean Air Filter 2 Replace Air Filter Clean Area Around Muffler And Controls Replace Spark Plug 1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures. 2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions. 3 - Initial oil change should
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MAINTENANCE Disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance (except car bu re tor adjustment) to prevent accidental start ing of engine. Prevent fires! Keep the engine free of grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Re move fuel from tank before tipping unit for maintenance. Clean muffler area of all grass, dirt, and debris. Do not touch hot muffler or cylinder fins as contact may cause burns. 3. Tip tiller on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable ENGINE container. Roc
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MAINTENANCE SPARK PLUG COOLING SYSTEM (See Fig. 15) Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each tilling sea son. Your engine is air cooled. For proper en gine performance Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in “PROD UCT and long life keep your engine clean. SPEC I FI CA TIONS” on page 3 of this manual. • Remove blower housing and clean as nec es sary. TRANSMISSION • Keep cylinder fins free of dirt and chaff. Your transmission is sealed and will not re quire lubrication unless servi
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come into contact with plug. TO CHECK TINE OPERATION TILLER • Start engine, tip tines off ground by pressing handles down and engage tine control to start tine rotation. TINE ARRANGEMENT • Verify tines spin properly. Your outer tines can be assembled in several different ways to suit your tilling or cultivating needs. • Allow tines to rotate for five minutes. CAUTION: Tines are sharp. W
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • Replace belt and reinstall pulley, idler bracket, conduit TO REPLACE V-BELT (SEE Fig. 20 - 22) fitting, springs, and hardware in reverse order. • Clutch housing/engine assembly must be removed to • Reinstall clutch housing/engine assembly, making sure service belt. See "TO REMOVE CLUTCH HOUSINGI- belt is inside belt guide stud. ENGINE ASSEMBLY" in this section of manual. • Check tine operation. See "To Check Tine Operation" • Using pliers, remove cable spring and r
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STORAGE Immediately prepare your tiller for storage at the end of the OTHER season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. • Do not store gasoline from one season to another. • Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. WARNING: Never store the tiller with gasoline Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems. in the tank inside a build ing where fumes may • If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give reach an open flame or spark. Allow th
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TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. 2. See “TO START ENGINE” in the Operation section. 3. Engine flooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Dirty air cleaner. 4. Clean or replace air cleaner cartridge. 5. Water in fuel. 5. Empty fuel tank and carburetor, and refill tank with fresh gasoline. 6. Clogged fuel tank. 6. Remove fuel tank and clean. 7. Loose spark plug wire. 7. Ensur
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PARTS AND SERVICE This product has been expertly en gi neered and carefully manu fac tured to rigid quality stan dards. As with all mechanical products, some adjustments or part replacement may be necessary during the life of your unit. For Parts and service, contact our authorized distributor: call 1-800-849-1297 • For replacement parts, have available the following information: a. Model Number/Manufacturer's I.D. Number b. Description of part. For Technical Assistance: call 1-800-829-5886 Fo
