
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.