Agri-Fab 45-03088 User manual

45-03088
FORM NO. 28178 (04/22/19)
IMPORTANT! The engine is shipped without oil. Oil must be added
before starting the engine. See Engine Maintenance on page 10 of
this manual for instructions.
IMPORTANT! Check engine air lter prior to each use. Follow the
maintenance schedule on page 8 of this manual.
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2
SAFETY RULES .............................................................3
ASSEMBLY .....................................................................4
OPERATION.................................................................5-7
MAINTENANCE.........................................................8-10
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT .................................11-12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Congratulations on your purchase of a tow behind tiller. It
has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give
you the best possible dependability and performance.
Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will
enable you to assemble and maintain your tiller properly.
Always observe the SAFETY RULES.
MODEL NUMBER: 45-03088
SERIAL NUMBER: ____________________________
DATE OF PURCHASE:_________________________
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER WILL BE FOUND
ON THE MODEL PLATE ATTACHED TO THE RIGHT
HAND CHASSIS.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER
AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE
PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Read and observe all product safety rules.
• Follow the instructions under MAINTENANCE and
STORAGE sections of this Owners Manual.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
OIL (20 oz. Capacity): Above 32 F: SAE 30
Below 32 F: SAE 5W30
TILLING GROUND SPEED: Approx. 2 MPH
TILLING WIDTH: 36 in.
TILLING TINE SPEED: 230 RPM
STORAGE ..................................................................... 12
TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................. 13
REPAIR PARTS........................................................ 15-17
PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE........................Rear Cover

3
SAFETY
TRAINING
• Readassembly,operation,andserviceinstructionscarefully.
• Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the equipment.
• Towing vehicle's braking and handling may be affected with the use of a tiller or other attachment. Know how your
towing vehicle handles with the use of an attachment. Refer to towing vehicle owner's manual.
• Neverallowchildrentooperatethemachine.Donotallowadultstooperatethemachinewithoutproperinstruction.
PREPARATION
• Do not ll the gasoline tank while the engine is running or still hot.
• Do not ll the gasoline tank indoors.
• Wipe off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine.
• Inspect the area to be tilled. Dial 811 to have underground pipes and wiring located prior to tilling. Remove glass,
wire, metal objects, large sticks, and stones.
OPERATION
• Keep the area of operation clear of all bystanders, particularly small children and pets.
• Personalinjurymayresultfromdebristhrownbythismachine.
• Neverplacehands,feet,orlooseclothingunderorintorotatingpartsorconcealedareas.Keephandsandfeet
clearly away from auger elements, belts, pulleys, etc. while engine is running.
• Neveroperatemachinewithoutproperguards,plates,orothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplace.
• Neverstoretillerinsideabuildingwhilegasolineisinthetank.Allowenginetocoolbeforestoringinanenclosure.
• Stopengineanddisconnectsparkplugleadwirebeforecleaningaugers,removingobstacles,ormaking
adjustments. Refer to engine manual.
• Neverruntheengineindoors.
• Disengagethetineclutchleverandstopthetillerandtractorenginesbeforegettingoffthetractor.
• Wearclosedtoeshoesandeyeprotectionwhileusingtiller.
• Slowly engage clutch lever when tilling harder soil. Refer to operation section.
• Operatethetillerindaylightorgoodarticiallight.
• Alwaysproceedslowlyandcarefullywhileoperatingtiller.
This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest
covered, brush covered, or grass covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester
meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working
order by the operator. In the state of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public
Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester muffler is
available at your nearest authorized engine service center.
Look for these symbols to point out important safety
precautions. It means — ATTENTION! Become alert! Your
safety is involved.
Failure to follow safety instructions could result in death or serious injury.

4
3/8" NYLOCK
NUT
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON
• Cut all four corners of the carton from top to bottom
and lay panels at. See gure 1.
• Remove the lag screw that holds the oating hitch to
the packing skid.
• Remove wooden top and side supports.
• Remove four hex bolts, hex nuts, and at washers
from the hold down brackets at the rear of the carton.
• Remove and save the two at washers and cotter
pins from the rear axle. Reuse when attaching gauge
wheels.
• Discard all other packing hardware.
INSTALL TILLER GAUGE WHEELS
• Assemble gauge wheels onto rear axle with the
extended end of the hub facing inward. Secure with
the at washers and cotter pins that were removed
from the axle during unpacking. See gure 2.
INSTALL TILLER TINE ASSEMBLIES
• Attach oating hitch to tractor draw bar (Refer to
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS on page 6.)
• Remove the pre-assembled 3/8" x 2" hex bolt and
3/8" nylock nut from the left hand tine assembly. Slide
the tine assembly onto the transmission axle on the
left side of the tiller and secure with the hex bolt and
nylock nut. See gure 3. Repeat for opposite side.
INSTALL (WHEEL) WEIGHTS TO TILLER
NOTE: Weights are not furnished with the tiller. Wheel
weights may be purchased to mount to the tiller if extra
weight is required. (Refer to the OPERATION section of
this manual.)
• Remove the four hex bolts and nuts located
approximately 3-1/2" from the front edge of the tine
shields. See Figure 4.
• Secure (wheel) weights to tine shield using bolts and
nuts furnished with the weights. See Figure 4.
ASSEMBLY

5
RIGHT HAND (RH) AND LEFT HAND (LH) ARE
DETERMINED FROM THE DRIVERS POSITION
WHILE SEATED ON THE TRACTOR.
KNOW YOUR TILLER
Compare the illustration below with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments.
WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU REMOVE THE MOWER
DECK BEFORE USING THE TILLER. REFER TO
YOUR TRACTOR OWNER'S MANUAL.
FIGURE 5
SAFETY SWITCH - prevents engine from starting while
tine clutch lever is engaged
LIFT HANDLE - selects tilling or transport position by
moving gage wheels
TINE CLUTCH LEVER - starts and stops tine rotation
FLOATING HITCH - telescoping hitch limits shock loads
to tractor
RECOIL START HANDLE - used to start the engine
THROTTLE CONTROL - controls engine speed
FUEL SHUT OFF - shuts of fuel to engine
CHOKE CONTROL - used when starting a cold engine
DEPTH STAKE - controls tilling/cultivating depth
TINE
CLUTCH
LEVER
THROTTLE
PULL START
FUEL
SHUT
OFF
CHOKE
CONTROL
LIFT HANDLE
FLOATING HITCH
DEPTH STAKE
OPERATION

6
Never ll fuel tank indoors, or with the engine running, or
while the engine is hot. Do not smoke while lling tank.
Moving belt can crush and cut. Do not operate with belt
guard removed. Always disengage clutch lever before
starting
The muffler and adjacent areas are hot!
• Check oil and gas in tiller engine.
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
• Pull forward on tine clutch lever to disengage tines.
A safety switch prevents engine from starting while
tines are engaged.
• Turn shut off to "ON" position.
• Move choke lever on engine to CHOKE position. (A
warm engine may not require choking.)
• Move throttle control lever on engine to FAST position.
• 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.
• Keep a rm grip on starter handle and pull rope with
a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Let rope rewind
slowly. Do not let starter handle snap back against
starter.
• Repeat instructions in two preceding paragraphs until
engine starts. After engine starts, move choke control
gradually to RUN position.
• Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
HAIR COTTER PIN
1/2" NYLOCK
NUT
HEX BOLT,
1/2-13 X 1-1/4"
HITCH PIN
FLOATING
HITCH
HITCH BRACKET
EXTENSION
TRACTOR
DRAWBAR
STOPPING YOUR TILLER
TINES
• Pull forward on the tine clutch lever to disengage
tines.
• Raise tiller to transport position.
ENGINE (Refer to separate engine manual.)
• Move throttle control to "STOP" position.
• Turn shut off to "OFF" position.
• Never use choke to stop engine.
STARTING YOUR TILLER
• BEFORE STARTING YOUR TILLER FILL THE
ENGINE WITH OIL! Your tiller engine is shipped
without oil or gasoline. Add oil as instructed in
ENGINE MAINTENANCE on page 9 of this manual.
Add gas as instructed in the engine manual.
FIGURE 6
Flying debris can cause eye injury. Always wear eye
protection before starting and while operating tiller.
HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER ATTACHING TILLER TO TRACTOR
(See Figure 6)
• Rear wheel weights and tire chains can be used on
tractor if additional traction is required for tilling.
• Place tiller on level ground and back tractor up to it.
• Attach hitch bracket extension to oating hitch of tiller
using a hitch pin and hair cotter pin.
• Fasten hitch bracket extension to tractor drawbar with
a 1/2-13 x 1-1/4" hex bolt and 1/2" nylock nut.
• Hitch bracket extension can be attached as shown in
gure 6 or turned upside down for tractors with lower
drawbars.
BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER
Break-in your belts, pulleys, and the control before you
actually begin tilling.
• Start engine with tiller attached to tractor in transport
position. Engage tine clutch lever to start tine rotation.
Allow tines to rotate for ve minutes.
• Check tine operation and adjust if necessary. See
TINE OPERATION CHECK in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual.

7
TRANSPORTING YOUR TILLER
• Pull forward on lift handle until it locks in the transport
(up) position.
• Disconnect spark plug wire.
• Drain fuel tank.
• Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.
• Do not transport on roads or public thoroughfares
TO ADJUST DEPTH STAKE
• The top depth stake hole selects a till depth of 1"
with each lower hole increasing till depth by 1" to a
maximum of 5".
• To change till depth, remove the hair cotter pin from
the clevis pin which is connecting the depth stake to
the stake support bracket.
• Grasp the top of the depth stake, remove the clevis
pin and reposition the depth stake. Insert clevis pin
and hair cotter pin.
Removing the depth stake could result in loss of control of
the towing vehicle and result in injury.
TILLING
• Tilling should be done with the tiller engine full
throttle. If tiller engine seems to be overloaded or
stalls out, lower gauge wheels for shallower tilling.
• Operate tiller engine at full throttle and operate tractor
in slowest forward speed with tractor engine at idle
speed or just above idle.
• Soil conditions will determine how deep tiller can
penetrate on the rst pass. In extremely hard ground,
several passes may be necessary to till to a depth of
6 inches. While in soft ground, tiller may penetrate to
a depth of 6 inches in the rst pass.
TILLING HINTS
IMPORTANT OPERATING HINTS
NOTE: The following are general guidelines for tilling, but
may vary depending upon soil conditions.
• In virgin soil, the tiller should be started in shallowest
depth position and lowered one position at a time
after each pass in each direction.
• Extremely hard and dry soil will need to be cross tilled
at a shallow depth rst, then tilled in the direction of
planting rows on the second pass at the nal depth.
• Till in a pattern similar to that shown in Figure 7. Make
the rst pass, skip a space equal to the width of the
tiller and make the return pass, then till the skipped
area. Tilling in this pattern will enable you to maintain
better control. If the passes are made side-by-side,
the tractor and tiller will pull toward the tilled (soft)
side.
• Check ground moisture. The ground is too wet if you
can make it into a ball with your hand. Tilling soil
when it is too wet will cause lumps which are difficult
to work up.
• In soil that was tilled the year before, select the tilling
depth at which the tiller engine runs comfortable and
does not stall or pull down. Lower depth for additional
passes if great depth is desired.
• Whenever working multiple passes, go perpendicular
to the previous tilling direction.
• In cases where the soil is too hard to get proper
penetration or if tiling action causes tiller to hop or
bounce, it will be necessary to purchase a set of tiller
(wheel) weights.
CULTIVATING
• A minimum of two (2) inches of soil penetration is
required for cultivating.
• Set depth stake so the tiller penetrates soil to a depth
of 2 to 3 inches.
• Run the tiller engine at full throttle except when
cultivating small plants. A slower engine speed
is necessary to prevent burying small plants.
See Figure 8.
FIGURE 7 FIGURE 8

8
Service Dates
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Fill in dates as you
complete regular service.
Before each use First 5 to 8 hrs.
25 hrs. or
every season
50 hrs. or
every season
100 hrs. or
every season
Yearly
Refer to the engine manual for instructions on engine maintenance.
1REFER TO SEPARATE ENGINE OPERATING &
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
2REFER TO MAINTENANCE, TILLER
LUBRICATION SECTION
3GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE
IMPORTANT: DO NOT OIL OR GREASE PIVOT POINTS.
VISCOUS LUBRICANTS WILL ATTRACT DUST AND
DIRT THAT CAN CAUSE WEAR ON PIVOT POINTS. IF
YOU FEEL THEY MUST BE LUBRICATED, USE ONLY A
DRY POWDERED GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The warranty on this tiller does not cover items that
have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence.
To receive full value from the warranty, operator must
maintain unit as instructed in this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to
properly maintain your unit.
All adjustments in the SERVICES AND ADJUSTMENTS
section of this manual should be checked at least once
each season.
• Once a year you should replace the spark plug, clean
or replace the air lter, and check tines and belts for
wear. A new spark plug and clean air lter ensure
proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better
and last longer.
BEFORE EACH USE
• Check engine oil level.
• Check tine operation.
• Check for loose fasteners
LUBRICATION
Keep unit well lubricated. See LUBRICATION CHART.
FIGURE 9
Check engine oil level X
Change engine oil X X*
Check air lter pre-cleaner X
Check air lter cartridge X
Service air lter pre-cleaner X**
Service air lter cartridge X**
Replace spark plug X
Clean cooling system X**
Check valve clearance X
Check for loose fasteners X
Lubricate tiller X
*Change oil every 25 hours when operating the engine under heavy load or in high temperatures.
**Clean more often under dusty conditions or when airborne debris is present. Replace air cleaner parts, if very dirty.
TILLER
TINE SHAFT
AXLE SHAFT
ENGINE
MAINTENANCE

9
CLEANING
• Clean engine as instructed in the engine manual.
• Clean wheels, nish, etc. of all foreign matter.
• Keep nished surfaces and wheels free of all
gasoline, oil, etc.
• Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax.
• Do not use a garden hose to clean your unit unless
the muffler, air lter, and carburetor are covered to
keep water out. Water in the engine will result in
shorter engine life.
GREASE FITTING
FIGURE 10
MUFFLER
Do not operate tiller without muffler. Do not tamper with
exhaust system. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters
could create a re hazard.
• Inspect periodically and replace if necessary. If your
engine is equipped with a spark arrester screen
assembly, remove every 50 hours for cleaning and
inspection. Replace if damaged.
TRANSMISSION LUBRICATION
• Check the transmission oil level after rst 5 hours of
operation. Remove oil ll plug (gure 10). Oil level
must be even with the plug hole (with tiller level). Add
oil if necessary. Use SAE 30 non-detergent motor oil.
Replace oil ll plug.
•
• Check the transmission oil level after each 10 hours
of operation.
NOTE: It is not necessary to change the oil in this tiller
transmission. If for any reason it must be changed, oil
capacity is 16 oz.
BEARING LUBRICATION
• Grease the tine shaft bearings every 8-10 hours of
use.
• Use a grease gun to apply about 10 pumps of
General Purpose grease in the grease ttings.
• Wipe off excess grease that is forced out of the
bearings.
• Perform this lubricating procedure more often in dry
and dusty environments.

10
ENGINE MAINTENANCE SERVICE AIR FILTER
• Checkoil level before each use and every 8 hours.
• Maintainoilatlevelshowningure11below.
• Serviceair cleaner every 25 hours under normal
conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely
dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and
ooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should
be serviced. Refer to separate engine manual to
service the air cleaner.
• Spark plug replacement is recommended every 100
hours or yearly. Check the engine manual for correct
plug type and gap specications.
• Neverstartandruntheenginewiththeaircleaner
assembly or the air lter removed.
• RemovethecoverB as shown in gure 12.
• Topreventdebrisfromfallingintothecarburetor,
carefully remove the pre-cleaner D and lter C from
the air lter base F. See gure 12.
• GentlytapthelterConahardsurfacetoloosen
debris. If the lter is excessively dirty, replace with a
new lter. See gure 12.
• Removethepre-cleanerDfromthelterC.Seegure12.
• Washthepre-cleanerDinliquiddetergentandwater.
Allow the pre-cleaner to throughly air dry. Do not oil
the pre-cleaner.
• Assemblethedrypre-cleanerDtothelterC.
• InstallthelterCandpre-cleanerDtoairlterbaseFand
onto stud G. Make sure lter is properly assembled to air
lter base and secure with fastener E. See gure 12.
• InstallthecoverBandsecurewithfastenerA.Make
sure fastener is tight. See gure 12.
FIGURE 11
FIGURE 12
OIL
FULL OIL LEVEL
REMOVE OIL CAP
REPLACE CAP
AFTER FILLED
ENGINE MUST BE LEVEL
To avoid injury. Always stop engine and disconnect
spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating, or before
performing any repairs or maintenance.
Fuel and its vapors are extremely ammable and
explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or
death. Never service the air lter near an open ame.
• Always use STA-BIL® 360 Performance in every tank
to prevent ethanol related fuel problems. STA-BIL®
is the only approved fuel stabilizer for use in Agri-Fab
equipment.