Troy-Bilt 68J-Horse, Operator'S Manual

The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WARNING

This machine meets voluntary safety standard B71.8
– 1996, which is sponsored by the Outdoor Power
Equipment Institute, Inc., and is published by the
American National Standards Institute.

Safety Alert Symbol

This is a safety alert symbol.  It is used in this
manual and on the unit to alert you to
potential hazards.  When you see this symbol,
read and obey the message that follows it.

Failure to obey safety messages could result in personal
injury or property damage.

Section

1

Safety

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 all 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

falling.

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

3