Simplicity 1693207 User manual

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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

OPERATOR’S
MANUAL
Rear Tine Tiller
5HP Rear Tine Tiller
Mfg. No. Description
1693705 5HP Rear Tine Tiller
6HP Rear Tine Tiller
Mfg. No. Description
1693704 6HP Rear Tine Tiller
8HP Rear Tine Tiller
Mfg. No. Description
1693207 8HP Rear Tine Tiller
1722191
Rev 12/1999
TP 100-2628-00-RT-S

Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc.
500 N. Spring Street • P.O. Box 997
Port Washington, Wisconsin 53074-0997

Page 1
Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................... 1
OPERATION SAFETY................................................. 2
Owner'sResponsibility.............................................. 2
Cautionsand ImportantNotes .................................. 2
Important Safety Instructions ................................... 2
SAFETY SIGNS & DECALS ....................................... 4
Safety Decals ........................................................... 4
FEATURES.................................................................. 5
CONTROLS ................................................................. 6
DriveControlLevers ................................................. 6
ReverseHandle ........................................................ 7
EngineControls ........................................................ 8
ADJUSTMENTS .......................................................... 9
WheelLockouts ........................................................ 9
HandlebarAdjustments........................................... 10
DragStake.............................................................. 11
BeltTensionAdjustment ......................................... 11
OPERATION .............................................................. 12
Pre-StartInspection................................................ 12
StartingandStoppingthe Engine ........................... 13
Tilling...................................................................... 14
TIPS .......................................................................... 15
TillingTips .............................................................. 15
CultivatingTips ....................................................... 15
MAINTENANCEANDSTORAGE............................... 16
CheckForwardBeltTension.................................... 16
ChangeForward/ReverseBelt................................. 17
Check or Fill Engine Crankcase .............................. 18
CheckTillerTransmission Grease ........................... 19
CheckTirePressure ............................................... 19
Lubrication .............................................................. 19
EngineMaintenance ............................................... 20
CleanTine Axle Shaft ............................................. 20
PrepareforStorage................................................. 21
TillerandEngineMaintenance Schedule................. 21
TROUBLESHOOTING ANDREPAIR ......................... 22
TroubleshootingGuide............................................. 22
SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................... 24
Features ................................................................. 24
TechnicalManual Availability .................................. 24
CAUTION
You must read, understand andcomply with all safety
and operating instructions in this manual before
attemptingto setup and operate this equipment.
Failure to comply wit all safety and operating
instructions can result in loss of machine control,
seriouspersonalinjury to you and/or bystanders,and
risk of equipment and property damage.The triangle
in the text signifies important cautions or warnings
which must be followed.
For easy reference, please record the
information on the chart below.
TheRototiller Reference Data canbe found onthe
identification tag located on the unit's left engine mount.
(Referto theEngine Owner's Manual for location of
engineinformationserialnumber.)
CAUTION
Engineexhaust from this productcontainschemicals
known, in certain quantities, to cause cancer, birth
defects,or other reproductive harm.
ROTOTILLERREFERENCEDATA
ModelDescription/Number
M/N (Manufacturer's Number) S/N (Serial Number)
Dealer Name Date Purchased
ENGINEREFERENCEDATA
EngineMake/Model Engine ID/Serial Number

Page 2
Operation Safety
SECTION CHECKLIST
Owner'sResponsibility
Cautionsand ImportantNotes
Important Safety Instructions
OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY
Safe and effective use of the rototiller is the owner's
responsibility.
1. Read and follow all safety instructions.
2. Maintain the tiller according to directions and
scheduleincluded.
3. Ensure that anyone who uses the tiller is familiar with
all controls and safety precautions.
CAUTIONS AND IMPORTANT
NOTES
Two symbols which draw attention to information of
specialimportanceappearthroughoutthismanual.
These comments range in importance from helpful hints
to warnings about risk of personal injury.Please take the
timeto read andunderstand them.
Please read this section carefully. Operate the tiller
according to the safety instructions and
recommendationsoutlinedhereandinsertedthroughout
the text. Make sure anyone who uses the tiller has read
the instructions and is familiar with the controls.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL
•CAREFULLYREADTHISMANUALAND FOLLOW
ALLINSTRUCTIONS.
• Be familiar with all controls before operating the
tiller.Your tiller is equipped with a safety device that
enables you to stop the wheels and tines quickly in
an emergency.Learn how the drive control levers
work and how to control the tiller at all times.
• Never allow children to operate the tiller.Keep small
childrenaway from thearea being tilled. Donot allow
adults to operate the tiller without proper instruction.
PREPARATION
• Dressappropriately when operating the tiller.Always
wearsturdyfootwear.Neverwear sandals,sneakers,
oropen shoes, andnever operate the tillerwith bare
feet. Do not wear loose clothing that might get
caught in moving parts.
• Carefully inspect the area to be tilled, and remove all
foreignobjects.Do not till above undergroundwater
lines, gas lines, electric cables, or pipes. Do not
operate the tiller in soil with large rocks and foreign
objectswhich can damage theequipment.
• Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting the engine.
• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
a. Useanapprovedfuel container.
b. Neveraddfuelto a runningengine or hot engine.
c. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill
fuel tank indoors.
d. Replacegasolinecap securely andclean up
spilled fuel before restarting.
• Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engineisrunning.
Indicates a situation which may cause personal
injury.It means - attention! Become alert!Your
safety is involved.
The right and left sides of
yourrototilleraredeter-
minedfromtheoperating
position as you face the
directionof forward travel.
Provides helpful information for proper
assembly, operation,or maintenance of your
rototiller.

Page 3
Operation Safety
OPERATION
• Neveroperate the tillerwithout guards, covers, and
hoods in place.
• Never start the engine or operate the tiller with
thewheels in the free-wheelposition. Make sure
thewheellockouts are engaged through wheelhubs
and wheel axle.The wheels act as a brake to keep
thetiller at a controlledspeed.Disengage wheel
lockoutsto permit free-wheeling onlywhen engine is
stopped.
• Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from rotating
parts.Keep clear of tiller tines at all times.
• Tinesand wheels rotate when tilleris engaged in
forward or reverse --in forward ,tinesandwheels
rotatewhen the drive controlleversare pulled down;
in reverse ,wheels and tines rotatewhen the
reverse handleis pulled backtowardstheoperator.
Releasing the drive control levers to neutral stops
the wheels and tines.
• Beextremelycautious when operating in reverse .
Take extra care to avoid slipping or falling, and to
keep feet clear of tines.
• Exerciseextreme caution when operatingonor
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for
hiddenhazards or traffic.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,
removethe wire fromthe spark plug,thoroughly
inspect the tiller for any damage, and repair the
damagebeforerestarting andoperatingthetiller.
• If vegetation clogs the tines, raise the handlebars to
elevate the tines, and run the tiller in reverse . If this
does not clean clogged vegetation from the tines,
STOPTHE ENGINE AND DISCONNECTTHE
SPARK PLUGWIRE before removing vegetation by
hand.
• Enginemuffler will behot from operation.Do not
touch it with bare skin or a severe burn may result.
• If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop
the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibrationis generally a warningof trouble.
• Donot run the engineindoors; exhaust fumesare
dangerous.
• Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting
to till too deep at too fast a rate.
• Never operate the machine at high transport speeds
onslippery surfaces. Look behind and use care
whenbacking.
• Neverallow bystanders near theunit.
• Use only attachments and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of the tiller.
• Never operate the tiller without good visibility or light.
• 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 handlebars and do not
restrainthemachine.
• Take all possible precautions when leaving the
machineunattended.Disengage all controls levers,
stop the engine, wail for all moving parts to stop, and
make certain guards and shields are in place.
• Whenleaving the operating positionforany reason:
- shut off the engine.
- wait for all moving parts to stop.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe
workingcondition.
• Checkshear bolts, engine mounting bolts,and other
bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be
sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
• To prevent accidental starting, always disconnect the
spark plug wire from the spark plug before
performingtillermaintenance.
• Neverrun the engine indoors.Exhaustfumes are
deadly.
• Always allow muffler to cool before filling fuel tank.
• Never store equipment with gasoline in the tank
inside a closed building where fumes may reach an
open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any building.
• Always refer to the operator's guide instructions for
important details if the tiller is to be stored for an
extendedperiod.

Page 4
Safety Signs & Decals
SAFETY DECALS
Safety warning decals are placed at strategic locations on the equipment as a constant reminder to the operator
of the most important precautions.All warning, caution and instructional messages on your equipment should be
carefully read and obeyed.If any of these decals are lost or damaged, replace them at once.They can be
purchasedfrom yourlocaldealer.
PartNo.1716839
FREE HAND / Bumper Guard Decal
PartNo.1716747
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS / Hood Decal
PartNo.1716800
WARNING / Belt Cover Decal
PartNo.1716840
TINES DANGER / Hood Flap Decal

Page 5
Features
Handlebar Swivel Lever
Drag Stake
Wheel Lockout
Reverse Belt Tension
Adjustment
Console
Forward Belt Tension
Adjustment
Reverse Handle
Belt Cover
EngineOilFillPlug
Handlebar Tilt Lever
Drive Control Lever
DetentPin
Rear View of Handlebar Console
EngineControls
MODEL 616RT

Page 6
Controls
SECTION CHECKLIST
DriveControlLevers
ReverseHandle
EngineControls
DRIVE CONTROL LEVERS
Engagewheels and tinesinto forward, releasingreturns
machineto neutral.
Pullingdown on drive controllevers engages thewheels
andtines. Releasing drive controllevers disengages the
wheels and brings the tiller to a complete stop. It is now
in the neutral position.
CAUTION
Thisinformationisprovidedhereonlyto introduce the
controls.DONOTSTARTTHEENGINEATTHISTIME.
Startingand operatinginstructions are givenon page
13.Pleasereadthissectionandalloperatingandsafety
instructions before starting your tiller.
CAUTION
ENGINE SHOULD BE OFF BEFORE ADJUSTING
ANYCONTROLS!
❖As a safety precaution, the drive control levers
will not lock in the forward position.
❖To stop the wheels and tines at any time, release
the drive control levers.
Drive Control Levers
Engaged

Page 7
Controls
REVERSE HANDLE (616RT)
Engageswheels and tines in reverse.
Pullingreversehandle back towards operator reverses
tiller.
Drive Control Levers Released
Reverse Handle
CAUTION
Extreme caution should be used when operating
rototillerin the reversedirection.
❖As a safety precaution, the reverse handle will
not lock in reverse.
❖To stop the wheels and tines at any time, release
thereversehandle.
❖Donotoperate both the reversehandleand
drive control levers at the same time.

Page 8
Controls
ENGINE CONTROLS
Throttle Control
Move throttle control to fast position to start and run the
engine.To stop the engine, move to idle position, then to
off.
ChokeControl
Put choke control in choke position if engine is cold. A
warm engine requires lesschoking than a cold engine.
Referto yourenginemanualfor further information.
Model616RT
1.Spark plug wire
2.Air cleaner
3.Choke
4.Carburetor
5.Fuelshut-off valve (if equipped)
6.Ropehandle
7.Fingerguard
8.Stopswitch (if equipped)
9.Fuel fill
10. Fuel tank
11. Oil fill/Dipstick (if equipped)
12. Blowerhousing
13. Oildrain plug
14. Oil fill cap
15. EngineId plate
16. Muffler
Model 616RT Intec Engine
Model 616RT Intec Engine
Model 514RT Engine

Page 9
Adjustments
SECTION CHECKLIST
WheelLockouts
HandlebarAdjustments (Tilt & Swivel)
DragStake
BeltTensionAdjustment
WHEEL LOCKOUTS (616RT)
Place wheels in tilling position.
1. Pull knob in center of wheel out, away from machine.
2. Rotate knob and lockout to align with slot on axle,
release knob.Rotate wheel to align slot in wheel hub
with lockout.
3. Wheel and axle should be firmly locked together
beforetilling.
4. Repeatforotherwheel.
NOTE:Always have both wheel lockouts in or out.
Do not operate tiller with only one wheel locked.
Toplacewheels in free-wheelposition.
1. Pull knob in center of wheel out, away from machine .
2. Rotate knob and lockout to align lockout with detent
in end of axle.Release knob.
3. Wheel should turn freely on axle.
WHEEL LOCKOUTS (514RT)
Place wheels in tilling position.
1. Remove lockpin. Align hole in axle with hole in wheel
hub.
2. Insert lockpin through holes, fold lockpin ring to
secure pin to axle.
3. Wheel and axle should be firmly locked together
beforetilling.
4. Repeatforotherwheel.
NOTE:Always have both wheel lockouts in or out.
Do not operate tiller with only one wheel locked.
Toplace wheels infree-wheel position.
1. Removelockpin.Slidewheel inward toward machine.
2. Insert pin in axle only.
3. Wheel should turn freely on axle.
Model 514RT
(5-hp)
Wheel lockpin in free-wheel position.
(axle hole only)
Wheel lockout in tilling position.
(hub & axle slot)
Model 616RT
(6-hp)
CAUTION
Neverstart engine or operatetillerwithwheels in free-
wheel position. The free-wheel position is for
transportingthe tiller long distances overlevelground-
-do not attempt to move the tiller up or down steep
gradesinthe free-wheel position.

Page 10
HANDLEBAR ADJUSTMENTS
(616RT)
Tilt handlebars up or down, swivel 30 ° left or right.
ToTilt Up or Down:
1. Push down on handlebar tilt lever.
2. While holding tilt lever down, adjust handlebars to a
comfortable height by moving up or down.There are
4 height positions.
3. Release handlebar tilt lever to lock.
To Swivel 30
°°
°°
° Left or Right:
1. Squeezehandlebarswivellevertowardshandlebar
stem.
2. Whileholdinghandlebar swivel lever in,rotate
handlebar30°left or right.
3. Handlebarswill lock in placeafter handlebar swivel
lever is released.
Handlebar Tilt Lever
Handlebar Swivel Lever
Adjustments
T-clamp
3HANDLEBARHEIGHTSETTINGS
high
medium
low
HANDLEBAR ADJUSTMENTS
(514RT)
Adjusthandlebarheight.
Theideal height of thehandlebarvaries with operator
height and the depth of tilling. to adjust handlebar height:
1. UnscrewT-Clampuntilhandlebar movesfreely upand
down.
2. Align locator pin to desired hole in the height
adjustmentbracketby raising or loweringhandlebars.
3. RetightenT-Clampfirmly.
Model 514RT
Model 616RT

Page 11
DRAG STAKE
Tilling depth is controlled by the height of the drag
stake.
To adjust tilling depth.
1. Removedetentpin.
2. Raise the drag stake to position tines at chosen
tillingdepth.
3. Align hole in drag stake with hole in depth regulator
bracketand replace detent pin.
Drag Stake Down = Shallower tilling. Place the detent
pin in the top hole of the drag stake for shallowest tilling.
Drag Stake Up = Deeper tilling. Place the detent pin in
the bottom hole of the drag stake for deepest tilling.
Adjustments
depth regulator bracket
drag stake
CAUTION
Always set the drag stake in the transport position
before starting engine, that is, place the detent pin in
the highest hole of the drag stake.
CAUTION
Do not adjust tilling depth unless drive control levers
arereleasedto neutral position.
BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT
Proper belt tension is critical to good performance. After
1/2 hour of operation, all cables may have to be
adjusted due to initial stretch.Thereafter, check tension
after every2 hoursof operation.
To increase belt tension:
1. Loosen upper jam nut.Turn nut up cable in 1/8"
increments.
2. Tightenlower jam nut.
3. Checkadjustment.
Thisprocedure can be repeateduntilconduit adjustment
bolts have no more adjustment left. If no more
adjustment can be made, belt may have to be replaced.
NOTE:Model 514RT has a forward cable only.
reverse cable
bracket
forward
cable
upper jam nut
lower jam nut
up cable ➜➜
➜➜
➜

Page 12
Operation
SECTION CHECKLIST
Pre-StartInspection
StartingandStoppingthe Engine
Tilling
PRE-START INSPECTION
1. Make sure all safety guards are in place and all nuts
and bolts are secure.
2. Check oil level in engine crankcase. See your engine
manualforprocedure and specifications.
3. Inspectair cleaner forcleanliness. See your engine
manualforprocedure.
4. Check the fuel supply. Fill the fuel tank no closer than
1 inch from top of tank to provide space for
expansion.Seeyour engine manual forfuel
recommendations.
5. Be sure spark plug wire is attached and spark plug is
tightenedsecurely.
6. Check position of wheels and wheel lockouts.
7. Check drag stake position.
CAUTION
Please do not start your tiller until you have read the
Manual that came with your engine, and the sections
inthismanualtitledControls,Adjustments and Safety.
If you have read these, follow the steps below to start
your tiller. Always perform this pre-start checklist
beforestarting the engine.
CAUTION
Gasoline is highly flammable and must be handled
withcare. Never fill thetankwhen the engineishot or
running. Always move outdoors to fill the tank.
CAUTION
Wheelsmustalways belockedin theTILLINGposition
when engine is running. Do not operate the tiller with
the wheel lockouts unlocked. Always set the wheels
in tilling position before starting engine.
CAUTION
Always put the drag stake in the transport position
before startingengine.Tinesshouldclearthe ground.
Engine is shipped from factory without oil.YOU
MUST ADD ENGINE OIL BEFORE STARTING
ENGINE.

Page 13
STARTING AND STOPPING THE
ENGINE
To Start Engine:
1. Drivecontrollevers should bereleased to neutral
position.
2. Turn fuel shut-off valve (if equipped) 1/4 turn to open .
3. Push choke lever to choke position.
4. Move throttle control lever to fast position.
5. Push rocker switch (if equipped) to on .
6. Pull start engine.Stand to the right of tiller engine,
grasp rope handle and pull rope out, slowly, until it
pullsslightly harder.Let roperewindslowly.Then
pull rope with a rapid full arm stroke. Let rope return
to starter slowly.Let engine warm for a few minutes
beforebeginningtooperate.
7. Whenenginestarts,operatein fast position.
8. Move choke lever toward run position.
NOTE: If engine does not start after 3 pulls,check
troubleshooting guide for suggestions.
To Stop Engine:
1. Move throttle control to slow position.Then move to
stop position.
2. Push rocker switch (if equipped) to off .
3. Close fuel shut-off valve (if equipped).
Refer to yourenginemanualfor further information.
Operation
CAUTION
Alwayskeephandsandfeet clear of rotating machine
parts.
CAUTION
Temperatureofmufflerand near byareasmayexceed
150°F.Avoid these areas.
CAUTION
Do not move choke lever to CHOKE to stop engine.
Backfire or engine damage may occur.
To stop the engine at any time, move throttle control
to the off position.To stop wheels and tines at any
time, release drive control levers to neutral position.

Page 14
Operation
TILLING
1. Adjust the drag stake to desired tilling depth.
NOTE: Raise drag stake up one hole at a time,
testing tiller operation after each raise. Raising drag
stake too high can result in loss of control of tiller!
2. Move the throttle control to fast .
3. Place the tiller in forward by pushing down on the
drivecontrol levers--this will engagethe wheels and
tines.
NOTE:You can slow the tiller's forward advance at
any time by putting slight downward pressure on
the handlebars, or you can stop the tiller by
releasing the drive control levers to the neutral
position.
CAUTION
To stop wheels and tines at any time, release drive
control levers to neutral position.
CAUTION
Alwaysreleasedrive control levers to neutralposition
beforeadjusting the dragstake.
Practiceoperatingthecontrolsand tiller with tines out
of ground before beginning to till. It is important that
you know how to use the tiller properly, how to keep
control at all times, how to stop the tines and wheels
fromturning, and howtostoptheengineifnecessary.
If you do not know how to do these things, read the
Controls, Adjustments and Safety sections before
proceeding.

Page 15
Tips
TILLING TIPS
The key to successful tilling is to begin with a shallow
cut on the first pass, and then work an inch or two
deeper on each successive pass.
✮Tillingdepth will vary withground conditions.
✮Whenbeginning to till inunbrokenground or in
extremely hard soil, set the detent pin in the highest
hole of the drag stake (follow instructions under
Tilling on previous page).This will allow for shallow
tilling.With the drag stake in this position, make
several light passes over the area to be tilled. Reset
for deeper depths with successive passes.
✮If tiller jumps or skids uncontrollably, lower the drag
stake by placing the detent pin in a higher hole.This
will allow for shallower tilling. Hold firmly to the
handlebarstocontrol sudden lurches.
✮If weeds, tall grasses, vines, or other materials clog
or jam the tines, reverse the tiller to unwind
vegetation.
Immediately release the drive control levers if the tines
jam or you strike a foreign object.With drive control
levers in neutral, push throttle control to stop position to
stopthe engine.Disengagethespark plugwire.When
tines have stopped, remove foreign objects and check
fordamage.
CULTIVATING TIPS
If you plan to use your tiller for cultivating:
✮Plant rows on 20" - 22" centers for ease of turning.
✮Set the drag stake with the detent pin in one of the
higher holes.This will allow the shallow cultivation
necessary to turn over weeds, and break up and
aerate the soil.
CAUTION
Extreme caution must be taken in selecting tilling
depth.Ifyouattempttotilltoo deeplyforsoilconditions,
that is, with the drag stake in too high a position, loss
of control could result.
CAUTION
Ifremovingmaterialfromthetinesbyhand,stopengine
and remove spark plug wire first.

Page 16
SECTION CHECKLIST
Check Forward BeltTension
ChangeForward/ReverseBelt
Checkor Fill Engine Crankcase
CheckTillerTransmission Grease
CheckTirePressure
Lubrication
EngineMaintenance
CleanTine Axle Shaft
PrepareforStorage
TillerandEngineMaintenance Schedule
CHECK FORWARD BELT TENSION
Forward belt tension may decrease over time. It must be
adjusted within the first half hour of operation, and
checkedafter every two hoursof operation. Proper
adjustment will assure long belt life.Too much or too
little belt tension will cause premature belt failure.To
check and adjust the forward belt tension:
1. Turn off engine.Engine must be cool.
2. Removespark plug wirefrom spark plug.
3. With drive control levers in neutral position, measure
lengthofspring when compressed.
4.Pull down on drivecontrol levers andremeasure
lengthof spring when stretchedout. Ideal length
wouldbe1/4"longer.
CAUTION
To prevent accidental starting:
Engine must be turned off and cool, and spark plug
wiremustberemovedfromsparkplugbeforechecking
andadjustingengineorequipment.
1"
1-1/4"
CAUTION
Checkforwardbelt tension regularly.Too much or too
little tension will cause premature belt failure.
Maintenance and Storage