Troy-Bilt 12208 - Manual (Page 4)

Section 1: Safety
7. Take all possible precautions when
leaving the nnachine unattended. Stop the
engine. Disconnect spark plug wire and
move it away from the spark plug. Be
sure both wheels are in the Wheel Drive
position.
8. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspect­
ing, stop the engine and make certain all
moving parts have stopped. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and prevent it from
touching the spark plug to prevent acci­
dental starting.
9. The flap on the tine hood must be
down when operating the tiller.
10. Never use the tiller unless proper
guards, plates, or other safety protective
devices are in place.
11. Do not run engine in an enclosed
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas, a deadly poison that is
odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
12. Keep children and pets away.
13. Never operate the tiller under
engine power if the wheels are in the
Freewheel position. In the Freewheel
position, the wheels will not hold the tiller
back and the revolving tines could propel
the tiller rapidly, possibly causing loss of
control. Always engage the wheels with
the wheel drive pins in the Wheel Drive
position before starting the engine or
engaging the tines/wheels with the
Forward Clutch Ball (all Models) or the
Reverse Clutch control (Models
12209/12210 only).
14. Be aware that the tiller may unex­
pectedly bounce upward or jump
forward if the tines should strike
extremely hard packed soil, frozen
ground, or buried obstacles like large
stones, roots, or stumps. If in doubt
about the tilling conditions, always use
the tollowing operating precautions to
assist you in maintaining control of the
tiller:
a. Walk behind and to one side of the
tiller, using one hand on the han­
dlebars. Relax your arm, but use a
secure hand grip.
b. Use shallower depth regulator
settings, working gradually
deeper with each pass.
c. Use slower engine speeds.
d. Clear the tilling area of all large
stones, roots and other debris.
e. Avoid using downward pressure
on handlebars. If need be, use
slight upward pressure to keep the
tines from digging too deeply.
f. Before contacting hard packed soil
at the end of a row, reduce engine
speed and lift handlebars to raise
tines out of the soil.
g. In an emergency, stop tines and
wheels by releasing whichever
clutch control is engaged. Do not
attempt to restrain the tiller.
15. Do not overload the tiller’s capacity
by attempting to till too deeply at too fast
a rate.
16. Never operate the tiller at high
transport speeds on hard or slippery
surfaces. Look behind and use care when
backing up.
17. Do not operate the tiller 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 freewheel down slopes.
18. Never allow bystanders near the unit.
19. Only use attachments and acces­
sories that are approved by the manufac­
turer of the tiller.
20. Use tiller attachments and acces­
sories when recommended.
21 . Never operate the tiller without good
visibility or light.
22. Never operate the tiller if you are
tired, or under the influence of alcohol,
drugs or medication.
23. Operators shall not tamper with the
engine-governor settings on the machine;
the governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed to protect the engine and
all moving parts from damage caused by
overspeed. Authorized service shall be
sought if a problem exists.
24. Do not touch engine parts which may
be hot from operation. Let parts cool
down sufficiently.
25. Please remember: You can always
stop the tines and wheeis by releasing the
Forward Clutch Bail or on Models 12209
and 12210 the Reverse Clutch control,
(whichever control is engaged), or by
moving the ignition switch and/or throttie
control lever on the engine to “OFF” or
“STOP”.
26. To load or unload the tiller, see the
instructions in Section 4 of this Manual.
27. Use extreme caution when reversing
or pulling the machine towards you.
28. Start the engine carefully according to
instructions and with feet well away from
the tines.
29. Never pick up or carry a machine
while the engine is running.
Maintenance and Storage
1. Keep the tiller, attachments and acces­
sories in safe working condition.
2. Check all nuts, bolts, and screws at
frequent intervals for proper tightness to
be sure the equipment is in safe working
condition.
3. Never store the tiller with fuel in the
fuel tank inside a building where ignition
sources are present such as hot water
and space heaters, furnaces, clothes
dryers, stoves, electric motors, etc.).
Allow engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.
4. To reduce the chances of a fire hazard,
keep the engine free of grass, leaves, or
excessive grease.
5. Store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated
area, safely away from any spark- or
flame-producing equipment. Store
gasoline in an approved container, safely
away from the reach of children.
6. Refer to the Maintenance sections of
this Manual and the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual for instructions if the
tiller is to be stored for an extended
period.
7. Never perform maintenance while the
engine is running or the spark plug wire
is connected, except when specifically
instructed to do so.
8. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do
this outdoors.