Document Outline

• Table of Contents
  • Finding Model Number
  • engine information
  • Calling Customer Support
  • HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE
    • SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
      • WARNING
      • This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property ...
        • DANGER
      • Your tiller was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipme...
        • 1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, and other foreign objects which could be tripped over and cause personal injury.
        • 3. Disengage clutch levers and shift (if provided) lever into neutral ("N") before starting the engine.
        • 4. Never leave this machine unattended with the engine running.
        • 5. Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running, except where specifically recommended in the operator’s manual.
        • 6. To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the va...
        • 7. Use only an approved gasoline container.
        • 8. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
        • 9. Never fuel machine indoors.
        • 10. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running.
        • 11. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
        • 12. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than º inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion.
        • 13. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
        • 14. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.
        • 15. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
        • 16. Allow a machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.
        • 1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.
        • 2. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
        • 3. Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles.
        • 6. Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.
        • 7. Never operate the machine at high transport speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.
        • 8. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.
        • 9. Look down and behind and use care when in reverse or pulling machine towards you.
        • 10. Start the engine according to the instructions found in this manual and keep feet well away from the tines at all times.
        • 11. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating.
        • 12. Disengage all clutch levers and stop the engine before you leave the operating position (behind the handles). Wait until the tines come to a complete stop before unclogging the tines, making any adjustments, or inspections.
        • 13. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless, and deadly gas.
        • 14. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.
        • 15. Use caution when tilling near fences, buildings and underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause property damage or personal injury.
        • 16. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to till soil too deep at too fast of a rate.
        • 17. If the machine should start making unusual noise or vibration, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. Inspect thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before starting and operating.
        • 18. Keep all shields, guards and safety devices in place and operating properly.
        • 19. Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is running.
        • 20. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this machine by the machine manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in serious injury.
        • 21. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your authorized dealer for assistance.
        • 1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
        • 2. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.
        • 3. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the tine(s) and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
        • 4. Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
        • 5. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
        • 6. Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading, transporting, and storage of this machine.
        • 7. Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
        • 8. Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper instructions on off-season storage.
        • 9. If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.
        • 10. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.
        • WARNING - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
        • Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
      • Figure 1 Safety labels found on your unit
    • SECTION 2: ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
      • IMPORTANT:
      • NOTE:
      • REMOVING UNIT FROM CARTON
      • TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
      • LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON
        • 1. Tailpiece
        • 2. Depth Stake
        • 3. Handle Assembly
      • BEFORE ASSEMBLY
      • WARNING
      • ATTACHING THE TAILPIECE AND DEPTH STAKE
        • 1. Remove the two self-tapping screws on the frame. Slide the tailpiece into the frame, with the lower hole in the tailpiece toward the front.
        • 2. Secure with screws just removed. See Figure 2.
        • Figure 2
      • ATTACHING THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY
        • 1. Remove the hex bolt and cupped washer from the top right side of the frame halves. Hold the cable guide bracket on the left side of the frame as it will fall when the bolt is removed. See Figure 3.
        • 2. Insert the handle assembly between the two frame halves. Insert the hex bolt just removed through the frame halves, handle assembly, and into the cable guide bracket (notch in cable guide bracket goes over the flange on the frame). Tighten securely.
        • 3. Loosen the hand knob which secures the handle brace to the handle assembly.
        • 4. Remove the handle knob and hardware from the handle brace. Insert the carriage screw through the welded bracket on the handle and into the end of the handle brace. See Figure 3.
        • 5. Secure with cupped washer and handle knob.
        • 6. Select one of the three handle height positions (three notches in welded bracket), and tighten the hand knob to secure the handle in desired position. Make certain carriage bolt is seated securely into one of the three positions provided.
        • Figure 3
      • ATTACHING THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLES
        • 1. Loosen the hex nut on the threaded rod near the end of the cable, and move it up the rod as far as it will go. See
        • 2. Unthread the rod from the rest of the cable. Hook the “Z” end of the rod into the bracket underneath the handle assembly from the right hand side. See Figure 4 or Figure 5.
        • 3. Thread the rod back into the cable until the cable is straight. Do not tighten it enough to put any tension on the spring. See Figure 4 or Figure 5.
        • 4. Thread the hex nut down against the end of cable. Use a pair of pliers and a wrench to lock the nut against the rod.
      • NOTE
        • Figure 4 Model 340
        • Figure 5 Model 390
      • REVERSE CABLE (Model 390 Only)
      • FINAL CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT
        • 1. Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
        • 2. Engage and release the forward tine engagement handle, then the reverse tine engagement lever (model 390 only). If an excessi...
        • Figure 6
          • 3. With tine engagement handles in neutral (released) as shown in Figure 6, pull the starter rope several times. The tines shoul...
    • SECTION 3: CONTROLS
      • WARNING
      • Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.
        • Figure 7 Model 390 Shown
      • THROTTLE CONTROL
      • The throttle control lever is located on the engine. It controls the engine speed and stops the engine. See Figure 8.
      • CHOKE LEVER
      • FORWARD TINE ENGAGEMENT HANDLE
      • REVERSE TINE DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER (Model 390 Only)
      • NOTE
        • Figure 8
      • DEPTH STAKE
      • TINE AND END CAPS
      • HANDLE KNOB
      • ENGINE CONTROLS
    • SECTION 4: OPERATION
      • WARNING
      • Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.
      • GAS AND OIL FILL-UP
      • WARNING
      • TO START ENGINE
      • WARNING
        • 1. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal loop on the end of the spark plug wire (inside the boot) is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug.
        • 2. Make certain the tine engagement controls are in the neutral position (released). See Figure 7.
        • 3. Place the throttle control lever in FAST position. (See Figure 8 ).
        • 4. Move choke lever to CHOKE position. (A warm engine requires little or no choke.)
        • 5. Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly.
        • 6. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep a firm grip on starter handle. Let rope rewind slowly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter. Repeat preceding instructions 5 and 6 until engine starts.
        • 7. When engine starts, move choke lever on engine halfway between CHOKE and RUN.
        • 8. Move throttle control to IDLE position for a few minutes warm-up. Move choke lever to RUN position as engine warms up.
      • NOTE
      • TO STOP ENGINE
        • 1. Move throttle control lever to STOP or OFF position.
        • 2. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and ground against the engine to prevent accidental starting while equipment is unattended.
      • WHEEL POSITION
      • NOTE
        • Figure 9
      • Removing End Caps
        • Figure 10
      • CONTROLLING SPEED AND TILLING DEPTH
        • 1. Place wheel yoke so that the wheels are forward (nearest point between wheels and tines) for shallow tilling, cultivating and transport. The forward speed will increase.
        • 2. Turn yoke around (farthest point between wheels and tines) for deep tilling. Forward speed will decrease. (See Figure 11.)
        • 1. By increasing the depth of the depth stake, the forward speed of the machine is reduced, and the working depth is increased. (See Figure 12.)
        • 2. When the depth stake is raised, the working depth of the machine is reduced and the forward speed is increased.
        • Figure 11
        • Figure 12
        • Figure 13
          • 1. A downward pressure on the handles will reduce the working depth and increase the forward speed.
          • 2. An upward pressure on the handles will increase the working depth and reduce the forward speed.
      • TRANSPORTING THE TILLER
      • HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER
      • CULTIVATING
        • Figure 14
    • SECTION 5: ADJUSTMENTS
      • WARNING
      • WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS
      • DEPTH STAKE ADJUSTMENT
      • CLUTCH CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS
      • ENGINE
      • CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT
      • WARNING
      • TINE WIDTH ADJUSTMENT
        • Figure 15
        • Figure 16
        • Figure 17
      • NOTE
    • SECTION 6: LUBRICATION
      • WARNING
    • SECTION 7: MAINTENANCE
      • WARNING
      • TROUBLE SHOOTING
      • ENGINE
      • IMPORTANT
      • IMPORTANT
      • CLEANING THE TINE AREA
      • NOTE
      • BELT REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
        • 1. Disconnect and ground the spark plug wire against the engine.
        • 2. Remove the two hex washer screws from the front of belt cover and remove the hex nut and flat washer from the side of the belt cover.
        • 3. Remove belt cover. See Figure 18. Lift the belt off the transmission pulley.
        • 4. Remove the hex nut which secures the reverse idler pulley to the idler bracket. Slide the idler pulley out and remove the belt. See Figure 19.
        • Figure 18
        • Figure 19 Model 390 Shown
        • Figure 20 Model 390 Shown
          • 5. Reassemble the new belt, following instructions in reverse order. Make certain the reverse drive belt is assembled with the w...
          • 1. Model 340: Remove the belt cover by following step 1 and step 2 of the previous section. Model 390: Remove the reverse drive belt as instructed in the previous section.
          • 2. Remove the belt keeper from the idler pulley by removing the idler pulley nut.
          • 3. Lift belt off the idler pulley and transmission pulley. See Figure 20.
          • 4. Using a 9/16" wrench, remove bolt from engine pulley.
          • 5. Push reverse idler pulley bracket forward, and remove engine pulley and belt. See Figure 20.
          • 6. Reassemble the new belt, following instructions in reverse order. Make certain the forward drive belt is assembled with the w...
    • SECTION 8: OFF-SEASON STORAGE
      • 1. Clean the exterior of engine and entire tiller thoroughly. Lubricate the tiller as described in the lubrication instructions.
      • 2. Refer to the engine manual for correct engine storage instructions.
      • 3. Wipe tines with oiled rag to prevent rust.
      • 4. Store in a clean, dry area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
      • NOTE
    • SECTION 9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
      • NOTE: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments above, contact your local authorized service dealer.
        • FRONT TINE TILLERS
        • 300 Series