
Safe Operation Practices 2
3
WARNING! This symbol points out 
important safety instructions 
which, if not followed, could 
endanger the personal safety and/
or property of yourself and others. 
Read and follow all instructions in this manual 
before attempting to operate this machine. 
Failure to comply with these instructions may 
result in personal injury. When you see this 
symbol. 
HEED ITS WARNING! 
DANGER: This machine was built 
to be operated according to the 
safe operation practices in this 
manual. As with any type of power 
equipment, carelessness or error 
on the part of the operator can result in serious 
injury. This machine is capable of amputating 
fingers, hands, toes and feet and throwing 
foreign objects. Failure to observe the following 
safety instructions could result in serious injury 
or death.
 
Training
1. Read, understand, and follow all 
instructions on the machine and in the 
manual(s) before attempting to assemble 
and operate. Keep this manual in a safe 
place for future and regular reference and 
for ordering replacement parts. 
2. Be familiar with all controls and their 
proper operation. Know how to stop the 
machine and disengage them quickly.
3. Never allow children under 14 years of 
age to operate this machine. Children 14 
and over should read and understand the 
instructions and safe operation practices 
in this manual and on the machine and be 
trained and supervised by an adult. 
4. Never allow adults to operate this 
machine without proper instruction. 
5. Keep the area of operation clear of all 
persons, particularly small children and pets. 
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Preparation
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. 
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING! Engine Exhaust, 
some of its constituents, and 
certain vehicle components 
contain or emit chemicals 
known to State of California to cause cancer 
and birth defects or other reproductive 
harm. Battery posts, terminals, and related 
accessories contain lead and lead 
compounds, chemicals known to the State 
of California to cause cancer and 
reproductive harm. Wash hands after 
handling.
2. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes 
and close fitting slacks and shirt. Loose 
fitting clothes or jewelry can be caught in 
moving parts. Never operate this machine 
in bare feet or sandals. 
3. Disengage clutch levers and shift (if 
provided) 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 engine is running, except where 
specifically recommended in the 
operator’s manual. 
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage 
use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline 
is extremely flammable and the vapors are 
explosive. Serious personal injury can occur 
when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your 
clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and 
change clothes immediately.
• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on 
a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. 
Always place containers on the ground 
away from your vehicle before filling.
• When practical, remove gas-powered 
equipment from the truck or trailer and 
refuel it on the ground. If this is not 
possible, then refuel such equipment on 
a trailer with a portable container, rather 
than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of 
the fuel tank or container opening at all 
times until fueling is complete. Do not use 
a nozzle lock-open device.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and 
other sources of ignition.
• Never fuel machine indoors.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the 
engine is hot or running. Allow engine to 
cool at least five minutes before refueling.
• Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no 
more than ½ inch below bottom of filler 
neck to allow space for fuel expansion.
• Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the 
engine and equipment. Move unit to 
another area. Wait five minutes before 
starting the engine. 
• To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free 
of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. 
Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove 
any fuel soaked debris.
• 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. 
Operation
1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating 
parts. Contact with the rotating parts can 
amputate hands and feet.
2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles 
during operation and while performing an 
adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. 
Thrown objects which ricochet can cause 
serious injury to the eyes.
3. For extended use of this product, hearing 
protection is required.
4. Do not operate machine while under the 
influence of alcohol or drugs. 
5. Never operate this machine without good 
visibility or light. Always be sure of your 
footing and keep a firm hold on the handles.
6. Keep bystanders away from the machine 
while it is in operation. Stop the machine if 
anyone enters the area. 
7. Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The 
tines may catch in the ground and propel 
the tiller forward. If this occurs, let go of the 
handle bars and do not restrain the machine.
8. Exercise extreme caution when 
operating on or crossing gravel surfaces. 
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. 
Do not carry passengers.
9. Never operate the machine at high transport 
speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.
10. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.
11. Look down and behind and use care when 
in reverse or pulling machine towards you.
12. Start the engine according to the 
instructions found in this manual and keep 
feet well away from the tines at all times.
13. After striking a foreign object, stop 
the engine, disconnect the spark plug 
wire and ground against the engine. 
Thoroughly inspect the machine for 
any damage. Repair the damage before 
starting and operating. 
14. Disengage all clutch levers (if fitted) 
and stop 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.
15. Never run an engine indoors or in a 
poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust 
contains carbon monoxide, an odorless 
and deadly gas.
 
16. Muffler and engine become hot and can 
cause a burn. Do not touch.
17. Use caution when tilling near fences, 
buildings and underground utilities. 
Rotating tines can cause property damage 
or personal injury.
18. Do not overload machine capacity by 
attempting to till soil too deep at too fast 
of a rate.