Troy-Bilt 12204-10HP - Manual (Page 3)

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 gasoline, a hydrocarbon fuel, and must be equipped with a
spark arrester muffler in continuous effective working order. The spark arrester must be attached to the engine exhaust system in
such a manner that flames or heat from the system will not ignite flammable material. Failure of the owner/operator of the unit to
comply with this regulation is a misdemeanor under California law (and other states) and may also be a violation of other state
and/or federal regulations, laws, ordinances or codes. Contact your local fire marshal or forest service for specific information
about which regulations apply in your area.
Training
1. Carefully read this Owner’s Manual, the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual, and any
other literature you may receive. Be thor­
oughly familiar with the controls and the
proper use of the tiller and its engine.
Know how to stop the unit and disengage
the controls quickly.
2. Never allow children to operate the
tiller. Never allow adults to operate the
tiller without proper instruction.
3. Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, particularly children and pets.
4. Keep in mind that the operator or user
is responsible for accidents or hazards
occurring to other people, their property,
and themselves.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly Inspect the area where the
tiller is to be used and remove all foreign
objects.
2. Put the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever
into NEUTRAL before starting the engine.
3. Do not operate the tiller without
wearing adequate outer garments. Avoid
loose garments or jewelry that could get
caught in moving parts.
4. Do not operate the tiller when barefoot
or wearing sandals, sneakers, or light
footwear. Wear protective footwear that
will improve footing on slippery surfaces.
5. Do not till near underground electric
cables, telephone lines, pipes or hoses. If
in doubt, contact your telephone or utility
company.
6. Warning: Handle fuel with care; it is
highly flammable and its vapors are
explosive. Be sure to take the following
precautions;
a. Store fuel in containers specifically
designed for this purpose.
b. The gas cap shall never be removed
or fuel added while the engine is
running. Allow the engine to cool
for several minutes before adding
fuel.
c. Keep matches, cigarettes, cigars,
pipes, open flames, and sparks
away from the fuel tank and fuel
container.
d. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme
care. Never fill fuel tank indoors.
Use a funnel or spout to prevent
spillage.
e. Replace ail fuel tank and container
caps securely.
f. If fuel is spilled, do not attempt to
start the engine, but move the
machine away from the area of
spillage and avoid creating any
source of ignition until fuel vapors
have dissipated.
7. Never make adjustments when engine
is running (unless recommended by
manufacturer).
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts. Do not allow hands or any
other part of the body or clothing near the
rotating tines or near any other moving
part. The tines begin to rotate forward
once the engine starts, the Tines/PTO
Clutch Lever is in the ENGAGE position,
the Forward Interlock Levers are squeezed
closed and the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive
Lever is shifted to FORWARD. The tines
rotate in Reverse whether the Interlock
Levers are closed or open.
2. Exercise extreme caution when on or
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. Do
not carry passengers.
3. After striking a foreign object, stop the
engine, remove the wire from the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug. Thoroughly inspect the
machine for any damage and repair the
damage before restarting and operating
the machine.
4. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or
failing.
5. If the unit should start to vibrate abnor­
mally, stop the engine, disconnect the
spark plug wire and prevent it from
touching the spark plug, and check imme­
diately for the cause. Vibration is
generally a warning of trouble.
6. Stop the engine, disconnect the spark
plug wire and prevent it from touching the
spark plug whenever you leave the
operating position, before unclogging the
tines, or when making any repairs, adjust­
ments or inspections.
7. Take all possible precautions when
leaving machine unattended. Stop engine.
Disconnect spark plug wire and move it
away from spark plug. Remove ignition
key on electric start models