Summary of the content on the page No. 1
®
Owner’s Manual
5 H.P.
TM
• Safety
• Assembly
• Controls
• Operation
• Maintenance
Model
12168
Form 1905103 (3/98)
© 1998 GARDEN WAY INCORPORATED
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
M M Dear Owner: Safety Alert Symbol ® Thank you for purchasing the TROY-BILT This is a safety alert symbol. VersaTiller . This unique piece of outdoor ™ It is used in this manual and power equipment gives you the deep tilling on the unit to alert you to power that rear-mounted counter-rotating tines potential hazards. When you see this provide, and provides the outstanding conven- symbol, read and obey the message ience of a front tine cultivator and tiller as well. that follows it. Failure
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Table of Contents Customer Service and Technical Service Owner Registration card ............................................................ 2 If you have questions or Warranty Service .................................................................... 2 Model/Serial Numbers .............................................................. 2 problems with the unit, Customer Service and Technical Service ........................................ 3 contact your local dealer Replacement Parts .......
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Section 1 Safety SPARK ARRESTER WARNING TO RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA AND SEVERAL OTHER STATES Under California law, and under the laws of several other states, you are not permitted to operate an internal combustion engine using hydrocarbon fuels on any forest, brush, hay, grain, or grass covered land; or land covered by any flammable agricultural crop without an engine spark arrester in continuous effective working order. The engine on the unit is an internal combustion engine which burns gasolin
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Section 1: Safety d.) Fill fuel tank outdoors using f.) If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to 7. Never attempt to make any extreme caution. Never add fuel start the engine, but move the adjustments while the engine is indoors. Use a funnel or spout to machine away from the area of running or the spark plug wire is prevent spillage. spillage and avoid creating any connected, except when so source of ignition until fuel vapors instructed. e.) Replace all fuel tank and dissipate. container c
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Section 1: Safety 24. Never operate this equipment if Maintenance and Storage you are fatigued, or under the influ- ence of alcohol, drugs or medicine. 1. Never perform maintenance when 6. To reduce fire hazard possibilities, keep 25. Operators shall not tamper with engine is running or spark plug wire is the engine free of grass, leaves or the engine-governor settings; the connected except when specifically grease. governor controls the maximum directed to do so. 7. Store gasoline in a cool,
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Fig. 2-1A Section Hardware Shipped 2 Assembly Lower Handlebar Upper WARNING Section Handlebar Section TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY A OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, DO NOT START THE ENGINE UNTIL ALL ASSEMBLY STEPS ARE B COMPLETE AND YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL. Cut plastic tie to Fig. 2-2 Fig. 2-1 free the drive bail Inspect unit STEP 1: Adjust Handlebar Height 2. Lift up the carton to remove it. Inspect the unit and carton for damage 3. Carefully put asid
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Section 2: Assembly H F G L I J Upper Handlebar Section Lower Handlebar Section K Fig. 2-5 Fig. 2-4 STEP 3: Attach Upper Handlebar STEP 5: Check and Adjust WARNING Section to Lower Handlebar Section Tire Air Pressure DO NOT START THE ENGINE 1. Align the mounting holes in the upper Use an automotive-type tire pressure UNTIL ENGINE CRANKCASE HAS handlebar section (F, Fig. 2-4) with the gauge to check the air pressure in both BEEN FILLED WITH OIL. corresponding mounting holes in the pneumatic tir
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Section 3 Features and Controls MUFFLER 1 CAGE Rear Tine Tiller Mode (tine hood must be on) A 2 C Swivel B D Handlebar on this side ONLY F 3 Front Tine Tiller/ Cultivator Mode (tine hood must E Fig. 3-1 be removed) This section describes the various hood, the tines rotate counterclockwise Handlebar Locking Lever features and controls on the unit. Refer (CRT) in a direction opposite from forward Lift up the lever (C, Fig. 3-1) to unlock to the next section, “Operation,” for an travel. When you
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Section 3: Features and Controls ENGINE FEATURES/CONTROLS N J WARNING K Before operating your machine, be sure you read and understand L G all safety, controls, and opera- ting instructions in this Owner’s Manual and on the decals on your machine. Failure to follow these instruc- tions can result in serious injury or property damage. M I The following are descriptions of the H features and controls on your engine. Additional engine information is provided in Section 4 “Operation” in this manua
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Section 4 Operation This section explains how to: 0 (Swinging handlebar 20 in either • Transport the Machine direction equals about 1/2 the handlebar width) • Prepare for Starting and Break-In Operation • Check Operational Interlock System • Convert the Equipment From a Rear Tine Tiller to a Front Tine Rear Tiller/Cultivator...Then Back to a Rear Tine Tiller Tine • Start and Stop the Engine Tiller • Operate the Rear Tine Tiller Mode • Clear Debris from the Tines • Operate the Front Tine Tiller/C
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Section 4: Operation Preparation For Starting Make the following checks and adjustments before starting the engine. 1. Check Engine Oil Level. 2. Check the Air Cleaner. It must be securely assembled and clean. 3. Check Safety Guards. All guards and covers must be securely in place. 4. Attach Spark Plug Wire. 5. Check Engine Cooling System. Cool- ing fins and air intake must be clean. 6. Adjust Handlebar Height. 7. Test Operational Interlock System. Perform this test in both front tine
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Section 4: Operation Rear Tine Tiller Mode – In this mode, the The Operational Interlock System handlebar is positioned directly over the The Operational Interlock System is a DANGER 0 tine hood (or within 20 of this position) micro-switch designed to shut the engine and the operator stands alongside or be- The Operational Interlock off immediately (or prevent it from hind the hood. The hood must be proper- starting) if an attempt is made to use the System is designed for the ly installed an
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Section 4: Operation Use this procedure to convert your equipment from rear tine tiller mode... to front tine tiller/cultivator mode..then back to a rear tine tiller again. To Change from rear tine tiller mode To Change from front tine tiller/ to front tine tiller/cultivator mode: cultivator mode to rear tine tiller mode: 1. Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. The equipment must be WARNING on a level, firm surface. To avoid serious personal 2. Replace the hood by first engagi
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Section 4: Operation Fig. 4-10 To Start and Stop the Engine IMPORTANT: Use the following steps to practice starting and stopping the E engine ONLY. Do not attempt to use the equipment as a tiller or cultivator until you have read all operating instructions F in this Owner’s Manual. G To Start the Engine: 1. The spark plug wire must be connected to the spark plug and the fuel tank must have fresh, unleaded gasoline. 2. Let go of all controls. 3. Move engine throttle lever (E, Fig. 4-10) rop
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Section 4: Operation Long grass, string, or tough vines may • Using the handlebar, swing the tiller Clearing Debris from the Tines become tangled in the tines. It’s not from side-to-side (6" to 12" each way) necessary to remove all of the tangled occasionally– this can clear up tangles. WARNING material for best tilling results, but the • If tangled material begins to build up, bulk of the material should be removed To help avoid personal injury, stop the engine, let all moving parts for eff
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Section 4: Operation Fig. 4-13: The edger OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS attachment leaves sharp, clean edges between grassy The Edger Attachment areas and walkways, The Edger Attachment allows you to driveways, patio areas, etc. make clean, sharp edges wherever grass meets a walkway, driveway, terrace, patio, or other such surface. It’s an extremely handy landscaping and yard care tool that attaches quickly to your equipment. Simply set up in front tine tiller/cultivator mode (the tine hood must be o
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Section 4: Operation • The tiller is too heavy (over 120 lbs.) • The operator and assistants should Loading and Unloading the Tiller and bulky to be safely lifted by one wear sturdy footwear with good traction. person. If you do lift the tiller, two or • Position the vehicle so the ramp angle WARNING more people should share the load. With is as flat as possible. Turn off the vehicle one person on one side of the equipment engine and apply its parking brake. Loading and unloading a and an
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Section 5 Maintenance Subjects covered in this section include: WARNING • Tiller/Cultivator Maintenance Before inspecting, cleaning • Engine Maintenance or servicing the machine, • Storing your Equipment shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. REQUIRED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Failure to follow these Before Every Every As instructions can result in PROCEDURE Each 10 25 Noted serious personal injury or Use
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Section 5: Maintenance Fig. 5-1: Hardware locations to check for tightness. TILLER/CULTIVATOR A MAINTENANCE B WARNING G Before inspecting, cleaning D or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all F moving parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move I wire away from spark plug. Failure to follow these instructions can result in E serious personal injury or H property damage. C 3. Check the two screws (C) securing the 8. Also, if the handlebar feels loose (th
