4
4
. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or fall-
ing.
5
. If the unit should start to vibrate abnor-
mally, stop the engine, disconnect the
spark plug wire and prevent it from touch-
ing the spark plug, and check immediately
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 operat-
ing position, before unclogging the tines,
or when making any repairs, adjustments
or inspections.
7.
Take all possible precautions when leav-
ing the machine unattended. Stop the en-
gine. Disconnect the spark plug wire and
move it away from the spark plug. Be sure
that both wheels are in the Wheel Drive po-
sition.
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 the 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 rapid-
ly, 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 Bail
(all models) or the Reverse Clutch control
(Model 644A 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 ob-
stacles like large stones, roots, or
stumps.
If in doubt about the tilling conditions, al-
ways use the following operating precau-
tions to assist you in maintaining control
of the tiller:
a. Walk behind and to one side of the
tiller, using one hand on the handle
bars 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 or other debris.
e. Avoid using downward pressure on
the 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 the handlebars to
raise the tines out of the soil.
g. In an emergency, stop the 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 trans-
port 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 accessories
that are approved by the manufacturer of
the tiller.
20.
Use tiller attachments and accessories
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 en-
gine-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 wheels by releasing the For-
ward Clutch Bail or on Model 644A the Re-
verse Clutch control, (whichever control is
engaged), or by moving the ignition switch
and
⁄
or throttle control lever on the engine
to “OFF” or “STOP”.
26.
To load or unload the tiller, see the in-
structions 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 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 sourc-
es are present such as hot water and space
heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves,
electric motors, etc.). Allow the engine to
cool before storing the unit in any enclo-
sure.
4.
To reduce the chances of a fire hazard,
keep the engine free of grass, leaves, or ex-
cessive grease.
5.
Store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated
area, safely away from any spark- or
flame-producing equipment. Store gaso-
line in an approved container, safely away
from the reach of children.
6.
Refer to the Maintenance sections of
this Manual and the separate Engine Own-
er’s Manual for instructions if the unit 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 in-
structed to do so.
8.
If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this
outdoors.
