Troy-Bilt 12087 Owner's manual

$7.50
Owner/Operator
Manual
PTO HORSE® Tiller
• Safety
• Assembly
• Features and Controls
• Operation
• Maintenance
)

Be sure to fill
out and return
your Owner
Registration
Card, which is
located in
your
literature pack- .~~~ ••
age. The infor-
mation con-
tained on this card will register
your machine with us and entitle
you
to full coverage under our
Full No-Time-Limit Warranty.
NOTE: AWarranty Transfer Card
is included
in this Manual. This
card should be filled out and re-
turned to us ONLY if you transfer
ownership of your machine
to
someone else.
Be Sure To Return Your Owner
Registration Card
This is asafety alert
symbol.
It is used in
this Owner/Operator
Manual to alert you
to potential hazards.
Whenever you see
this symbol, read and obey the
safety message that follows it.
Failure to obey the safety message
could result in petsonal injury or
property damage.
Dear Owner,
You now own one of the finest rear-
tine rototillers available. Your new PTO
Horse Model tiller allows you to till and
cultivate your garden with ease, and ac-
complish dozens
of other property man-
agement projects as well. Its PTO capa-
bility allows it to power avariety
of at-
tachments, including achipper/shredder
and agenerator. Your tiller is famous for
its ruggedness, performance and high-
quality engineering.
We know you'll
enjoy using it.
Please carefully read this ManuaL It
tells you how
to safely and easily assem-
ble, operate and maintain your machine.
Be sure that you and any other operators
carefullyfollow the recommended safety
practices
at all times. Failure to do so
could result in personal injury
or prop-
erty damage.
Of course, if you should ever have any
problems or questions, or for afree re-
placement copy
of this Manual, please
contact your local authorized service
dealer or call us Toll-Free. Our tele-
phone numbers and mailing addresses
are listed on Page 4and on the back
cover
of this ManuaL
We want to be sure that you are com-
pletely satisfied at all times.
This machine meets voluntary safety stan-
dard B71.8 -1986, which
is sponsored by
the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc.,
and
is published by the American National
Standards Institute.
A WARNING:
The engine exhaust from
this product contains
chemicals known to the
State of California to
cause cancer, birth de-
fects, or other reproduc-
tive harm.
2

Owner's Record
Please write the Model and Serial
numbers
of your machine in
the spaces provided. You
can find the location of
these numbers by refer-
ring to the illustration
below.
Model Number:
Serial Number:
Model and Serial Number location
Table of Contents
SERVICE INFORMATION 4
SECTION 1: SAFETY 5
Training 5
Preparation 6
Operation 6
Maintenance and Storage 8
Decals 8
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLY 9
SECTION 3: FEATURES AND CONTROLS 20
Tiller Features and Controls Identification 20
Engine Features and Controls Identification 23
SECTION 4: OPERATION 24
Break-In Operation 25
Test Forward Interlock Safety System 26
Starting and Stopping the Engine 27
Cold Weather Operation 28
To Operate Tiller 29
Turning Around 30
Transporting Your Tiller 31
To Change Belt Speeds 32
Tilling in the Garden 34
The PTO Power Unit .40
SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS 44
Required Maintenance Schedule .44
Tighten Bolts and Nuts .45
Tiller Lubrication .46
Transmission Gear Oil Maintenance .46
Drive Belt Maintenance .49
Reverse Drive Maintenance 52
Bolo Tine Maintenance 54
Tine Shaft Maintenance 56
Tire and Wheel Maintenance 56
Engine Oil Maintenance 56
Air Cleaner, Throttle Cable, Ignition System, Spark Plug 57
Battery Care 58
Storing the Tiller 60
Inspect Forward Interlock Wiring System 60
Troubleshooting Forward Interlock Safety System 60
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES 61
ATTACHMENTS & ACCESSORIES 64
TILLER SPECiFiCATIONS 65
INDEX 66
NO-TIME-L1MIT WARRANTY Back Cover
3

Address
HOW TO
REACH
US
~
t=:J
If you have any
Questions or
Problems...
...Please contact your local TROY-BILT® Tiller
authorizeddealer or call or write the Factory. When calling
or writing, please be sure to provide the Model
and Serial
Numbers
of your machine (refer to Page 3).
Our trained parts special-
ists will gladly assist you
if
you have any difficulty in
identifying the part that you need.
number, description, and quantity
of the part you need. Then,
call or write our Parts
Department, being sure to
provide the Model and
Serial Numbers
of your
machine.
"Engines-Gasoline" (call us if you
need assistance in obtaining en-
gine service or parts).
Please remember that your engine
is covered by the engine manufac-
turer's Limited Warranty. Any
unauthorized work performed on
the engine during the warranty pe-
riod may void the warranty. For
full details on the engine manufac-
turer's Limited Warranty, refer to
the separate Engine Owner's
Manual.
If your engine should ever require
service or re-
pair, contact
your nearest
authorized
engine service
dealer.
To find the name and address of
your nearest authorized engine
service dealer, look
in the Yellow
Pages
of the telephone book under
If You Need Engine
Service:
Factory specified replacement
parts for your machine are
available from either your
TROY-BILT® Tiller autho-
rized dealer or directly
from the Factory.
To order apart from
the Factory, refer to
your separate Parts
Catalog to find the part
If You Need Parts:
Canada
(Toll Free)
For Technical
Service and Parts
Service:
1-800-225-3585
Canada
Mon.-Fri.,
8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Canada
Garden Way
Incorporated,
320 Van Sickle Rd.,
Unit 12,
St. Catherines, Ont.
L2R 6P7
U.S.A.
(Toll Free)
U.S.A.
Garden Way
Incorporated,
102nd St. &
9th Ave.,
Troy, N.Y.
12180
For Technical
Service:
1-800-520-5520
For Parts
Service:
1-800-648-6776
Overseas callers
may use:
518-391-7000
U.S.A.
Mon.-Fri.,
8 A.M.ta 7 P.M.
Saturday
9 A.M. to 4 PM.
4

Sclio Safety
A WARNING
4. Familiarize yourself with all of
the safety and operating decals on
this equipment and on any
of its
attachments or accessories.
S. Do not run engine in an en-
closed area. Engine exhaust con-
tains carbon monoxide gas, a
deadly poison that
is odorless, col-
orless, and tasteless.
6. Do not allow hands or any
other part
of the body or clothing
near the rotating tines or near any
other moving part. The tines
begin to rotate
forward once
the engine
starts, the
Tines/PTO
Clutch Lever is
in the ENGAGE R~\EfT~N~AT~::SO:I~~~~~::I~jNuE~y.
position, the
Forward Interlock Levers are
squeezed closed and the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever is
shifted to FORWARD. The tines
rotate in Reverse whether the
Interlock Levers are squeezed
closed or left open.
WARNING TO ALL CALIFORNIA
AND OTHER POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS
A
TRAINING
3. Keep the area of operation clear
of all persons, particularly small
children and pets. Keep by-
standers at least
25 feet away from
the area
of operation.
1. Read this Owner/Operator
Manual and the separate Engine
Owner's Manual carefully before
operating this equipment. Be com-
pletely familiar with the controls
and the proper use
of this equip-
ment. Know how to stop the unit
and disengage the controls quickly.
2. Never allow children or un-
trained adults to operate this equip-
ment.
Under California law, and under the laws of several other states,
you are not permitted to operate
an internal combustion engine
using hydrocarbon fuels
on any forest-covered, brush-cov-
,---=. ered, or grass-covered land, or on land covered with grain,
:;;;~==~~~~ hay, or other flammable agricultural crop, without an en-
gine spark arrester
in continuous effective working order.
The engine on your power equipment, like most outdoor power equipment, is an
internal combustion engine that burns gasoline, ahydrocarbon fuel. Therefore,
your power equipment must be equipped with aspark arrester muffler in continu-
ous effective working order. The spark arrester must
be attached to the engine
exhaust system
in such amanner that flames or heat from the system will not ig-
nite flammable material. Failure of the owner/operator of the equipment to com-
ply with this regulation
is amisdemeanor under California law, and may also be a
violation of other state and/or federal regulations, laws, ordinances, or codes.
Contact your local fire marshal or forest service for specific information about
what regulations apply
in your area. Contact your authorized engine dealer for in-
formation about obtaining aspark arrester.
This is a safety alert
symbol. It is used
in this Owner/ Oper-
ator Manual and on
your equipment to
alert you to poten-
tial hazards.
Whenever you see
this symbol, read
and obey the safety
message that fol-
lows it. Failure to
obey those safety
messages could re-
sult in serious per-
sonal injury or cause
property damage.
Please read and follow all of the
safety rules in this Safety Section.
Failure to comply could result in
serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
If you should lend this equipment
to another person, make sure that
he or she reads, understands, and
always follows these safety in-
structions.
If you are not completely sure
about any of the information
found here or elsewhere in the
Manual, please contact either
your local authorized dealer or the
factory for assistance.
5

Safety
7. Before inspecting or servicing
any part
of the equipment, shut off
the engine, wait for all moving
parts to come to acomplete stop,
disconnect spark plug wire from
PREPARATION
o
o
1. Thoroughly inspect the area
where the tiller will be used. Re-
move foreign objects before tilling.
2. Put the WheelsfTines/pTO
Drive Lever
in NEUTRAL before
starting the engine.
3. Do not operate the tiller without
wearing suitable clothing. Avoid
loose garments orjewelry that
could get caught in moving parts
of the tiller or its engine.
OPERATION
1. Do not put hands or feet near or
under rotating parts.
2. Use extreme caution when on or
crossing driveways, walks or roads.
Be alert for hidden hazards or traf-
fic. Do not carry passengers.
3.
If you hit aforeign object, stop
the engine (remove key on electric
start models), let all moving parts
come to acomplete stop, discon-
nect spark plug wire and move
wire away from the spark plug,
and inspect for damage. Repair
damage before restarting.
spark plug and move wire away
from the spark plug.
8. Do not operate this equipment
if you are under the influence of
4. Do not operate the tiller when
you are barefoot, in
san_~-~~~n
daIs, sneakers or ,4
other light footwear.
Wear shoes that grip
well on slippery surfaces.
5. Do not till near underground
electric cables, telephone lines,
pipes, or hoses. Contact your tele-
phone or utility to verify locations
of underground cables or lines.
6. Handle gasoline with care; it is
flammable, the vapors explosive.
a. Use an approved gas container.
b. Gas cap shall never be re-
moved or fuel added with en-
gine running. Engine shall be
4. Exercise caution to avoid slip-
ping or falling.
5.
If abnormal tiller vibration oc-
curs, stop engine immediately, dis-
connect the spark plug wire and
move wire away from spark plug.
Check for the cause. Carefully in-
spect for any damage. Fix the prob-
lem before using the tiller again.
6. Stop the engine, remove the key
on electric start models, and dis-
connect the spark plug wire and
move wire away from spark plug
before leaving the operating posi-
tion, unclogging tines, or making
repairs, adjustments or inspections.
7. Before leaving tiller unattended,
shift to NEUTRAL, stop engine
(remove key on electric start mod-
els), and disconnect spark plug
wire and move wire away from
plug to prevent accidental starting.
8. Before cleaning, repairing or in-
specting, stop the engine (remove
6
alcohol, medication, or when you
are tired or ill.
allowed to cool before refuel-
ing. Operators shall not smoke.
c. Keep matches, cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, open flames, or
sparks away from the fuel
tank and fuel container.
d. Fill fuel tank outdoors using
extreme caution. Never add
fuel indoors. Use afunnel or
spout to prevent spillage.
e. Replace fuel cap securely and
clean up fuel spills before
starting the engine.
7. Never attempt to make any ad-
justments while the engine is run-
ning or the spark plug wire
is con-
nected, except when so instructed.
key on electric start models), let all
moving parts stop, and disconnect
spark plug wire and move wire
away from spark
plug to prevent
accidental
~~~~
starting. Foe.::..-- ....".i!i'"~"'"
electrical
safety on electric start models, al-
ways disconnect the negative (-)
cable from the battery post.
9. Flap on tine hood must be down
when running tiller, unless using
the hiller/furrower attachment.
10. Never operate the tiller unless
safety guards or other protective
devices are in place.
11. Do not run the engine in an en-
closed area. Engine exhaust con-
tains carbon monoxide gas, a
deadly poison that is odorless, col-
orless, and tasteless.
12. Keep children and pets away.

13. Never operate the tiller under
engine power
if the Wheel Speed
Lever is in the FREE WHEEL po-
sition. In
FREE WHEEL, the
wheels will not hold the tiller back
and the revolving tines could pro-
pel the tiller rapidly, possibly caus-
ing loss
of control. Always engage
the Wheel Speed
Lever in either
FAST
or SLOW position before
starting the engine or engaging the
tines with the
Wheelsffines/PTO
Drive Lever.
14. The tiller could unexpectedly
bounce upward or
jump forward
and be propelled away from you if
the tines strike
or catch very hard-
packed soil, sod, frozen ground,
or
any buried obstacle such as large
stones or roots.
If in doubt about
tilling conditions, use the follow-
ing precautions to assist you in
maintaining tiller control:
a. Walk behind and on either
side
of the tiller, using one
hand on the handlebars.
Relax your arm, but use ase-
cure hand grip.
b. Use shallow depth regulator
settings, gradually working
deeper with each tilling pass.
c. Use slower wheel, tine and en-
gine throttle speeds.
d. Clear the tilling area
of big
stones, roots and other debris.
e. Avoid putting downward pres-
sure on the handlebars.
If
necessary, apply slight upward
pressure to prevent the tines
from digging too deeply.
f. Avoid contacting hard-packed
soil
or sod at the end of arow
by reducing engine speed and
lifting handlebars up to raise
tines out
of the soil.
g. In an emergency, stop the
tines and wheels by shifting
the Wheelsffines/PTO Drive
Lever to NEUTRAL. If you
can not reach the lever
or have
lost control
of the tiller, let go
of the handlebars and all con-
trols.
Do not try to restrain it.
15. Do not overload the machine
capacity by trying to till too deeply
at too fast arate.
16. Never use the tiller at high
ground speeds on slippery surfaces.
17. Do not operate tiller on aslope
too steep for safety. On slopes,
slow down and be sure you have
good footing.
Don't let the tiller
"free-wheel" down slopes.
18. Clear the area of bystanders be-
fore tilling.
19. Use only attachments and ac-
cessories approved by Troy-Bilt
Manufacturing Company.
20. Use tiller attachments and ac-
cessories when recommended.
21. Never operate the tiller without
good visibility or light.
22. Never operate the tiller
if you
are fatigued, or under the influence
of alcohol, drugs or medication.
23. Operators shall not tamper with
the engine-governor settings on the
machine; the governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed and
protects the engine and all moving
parts from damage caused by over-
speed. Authorized service shall be
sought if aproblem exists.
24.
Do not touch engine parts that
may be hot from operation (muffler,
fins, etc.). Make certain all parts
have cooled down before inspect-
ing, cleaning or repairing.
25.
POISONIDANGER-
CAUSES SEVERE BURNS. The
battery on electric start models con-
tains sulfuric acid. Avoid contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
Antidotes:
External- Flush imme-
diately with lots
of water.
Internal- Drink large quantities of
water or milk. Follow with milk of
magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable
oil. Call adoctor immediately.
Eyes- Flush with water for 15 min-
utes. Get prompt medical attention.
Keep out
of reach of children.
7
Safety
26. DANGER- BATTERIES
PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE
GASES. Keep sparks, flame or
smoking materials away. Ventilate
when charging battery or using in
an enclosed space. Always shield
eyes when working near battery.
27.
Remember-To stop tines and
wheels, either put Wheels/
Tines/PTO Drive Lever in NEU-
TRAL, or move Throttle Lever to
STOP position.
If you lose control
of the tiller and can not reach the
levers, let go
of the handlebars and
controls and do not try to restrain
the tiller. The Forward Interlock
Safety System will stop the engine.
28. Look behind and exercise cau-
tion when backing up.
For added
safety, put Wheel Speed Lever in
SLOW position before reversing.
29. When loading or unloading the
tiller, always disengage the tines
and use slower wheel and engine
throttle speeds. Use sturdy ramps
wide and strong enough to easily
support the tiller (280-to-325 Ibs.,
depending on model) and operator.
Never go down ramps
in FOR-
WARD
drive-the tiller could tip
forward, exposing you to the tines
(which should be disengaged).
Always use REVERSE drive and
back down ramps. To go up ramps,
use FORWARD drive and walk up
following the tiller.
30.
The Forward Interlock Safety
System should be tested for correct
functioning every time the tiller
or
PTO power unit is used. See
Section 4in this Manual for the test
procedure to take.
31.
If using the optional Dozer
Blade, either remove the tine at-
tachment, or disengage the tines
with the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever.
Revolving tines are dangerous.

Safety
MAINTENANCE AND
STORAGE
1. Never perform maintenance
when engine is running or spark
plug wire is connected except
when specifically directed to do so.
2. Keep tiller, attachments and ac-
cessories
in safe working condition.
3. Check all nuts, bolts, and screws
frequently for proper tightness.
Always verify your equipment is in
safe working condition.
4. Never store the machine with
fuel in the fuel tank inside abuild-
ing where fumes may reach
an
open flame or spark, or where igni-
tion sources are present (such
as
hot water and space heaters, fur-
naces, clothes dryers, etc.).
5. Let the engine cool down before
storing it in an enclosure.
6.
To reduce fire hazard possibili-
ties, keep the engine free
of grass,
leaves or grease.
7. Store gasoline
in acool, well-
ventilated area, safely away from
any spark- or flame-producing
equipment. Store gasoline in an
approved container, safely out
of
the reach of children.
8. Refer to the Maintenance sec-
tion
in this Manual for storage in-
formation if your tiller is to be
stored for an extended period.
SAFETY DECALS
Make certain that all safety decals on this equipment
are kept clean and in good condition. The safety
decal locations are shown (at areduced size) below.
There are other decals located on your equipment for
operation and controls identification. They are also
shown below and
in your Parts Catalog. If you need a
replacement decal, please refer to the Parts Catalog
that accompanied this Manual.
A) WARNING: Hot Surfaces decal. On
8HP Kohler engines (shown), located
on top of the engine. On Briggs &
Stratton engines (not shown), located
on top of the muffler guard.
F) Engine Stabilization
decal. On 8HP Kohler en-
gines (shown), located on
top of the engine. On Briggs
& Stratton engines (not
shown), located on the top,
front of the engine cover.
Decal Locations
C) WARNING: Operating Instructions
decal. Five groups of safety state-
ments are provided along with tiller
operating instructions.
B) WARNING: Engine Ignition. Provides
safety and operational information for
using the Keyswitch Ignition. On electric
start models only.
8
E) Forward Interlock
Lever decals (2).
D) Power Unit Operating
Instructions decal.

eelio
Assembly
Please carefully follow the steps in
this Section to properly assemble
your new machine. These steps
will not take very long and they
will assure you of having assem-
bled your machine correctly.
WARNING
To prevent personal injury or
property damage, do not start the
engine until all assembly steps
are complete and you have read
and understand the safety and
operating instructions in this
Manual.
Subjects covered in this Section:
•Inspection After Delivery
: ~:~:~k:::: ~::d~:::::ng Contents ~
•Remove Tiller from Shipping Platform I}
•Connect Forward Intl!tlock Wire Harness
•Attach WheelslTineslPTO Drive Leve
•Check
Gear Oi Levels in Power Unitt and
Tine Attachment Tral1smissionst rL
•Add Motor Oil to ·Iler Engin .J'!~,'. "-.
~/v j
•Attach Engine Throttle Leverto Handlebar
•Adjust the Air Pressur ·n the Tires "
•Assembling the Electric Start System
Tools Needed:
One 3/8" Open End or
Adjustable Wrench
One 9/16" Open End or
Adjustable Wrench
One 3/4" Open End or
Adjustable Wrench
Two 7/16" Open End or
Adjustable Wrenches
Two 1/2" Open End or
Adjustable Wrenches
One Flat Blade Screwdriver
Scissors (to trim plastic ties)
Quality Motor Oil (refer to the
Engine Owner Manual
provided with your unit
for motor oil specifica-
tions and capacities).
Tire Pressure Gauge
A strong 41 12" high prop (a
wood box, a brick, or
boards)
I
Inspection After Delivery
Inspect your machine immediately
after it has been delivered. Make
sure that neither the carton nor the
contents have been damaged.
If you find or suspect any damage,
contact the carrier (trucking com-
pany) right away. Inform them
of
the specific damage and that you
wish to file aclaim.
To protect
your rights, be sure
to put this in
writing to the carrier within 15
days after your machine arrives.
The carrier will let you know how
to proceed with your claim.
Please let us know
if you need any
assistance with this matter.
IMPORTANT: Motor oil must
be added to the engine before it
is
started. The procedure for
adding oil is explained
later on
in these assembly instructions.
9
STEP 1: Unpacking Contents
If you haven't done so, unpack
and check the loose parts as listed
in the table on page 10. Contact
us
if any parts are missing.
A. Remove the handlebars and
the WheelslTineslPTO Drive
Lever (Items 1and 2in Photo
2-1).
You may need to cut aplas-
tic tie to free the handlebars from
its shipping location. Set them on
aclean surface. Do not get dirt on
the wire harness plug located at
the bottom
of the handlebars!
B. Remove the loose parts from
the plastic envelope that contained
these instructions (Items 3through
8in Photo 2-2).
C.
If you ordered an Electric Start
Tiller, take out the items from a
sealed plastic hardware package
under the battery clamp (Items 9
through
11 in Photo 2-3). Your ig-
nition keys are in the keyswitch.

Use This Ruler
to Check the
Hardware
Lengths:
Assembly
1- Handlebars
2- Wheels/Tines/
PTO Drive Lever
Photo 2-1. Put Handlebars (/tern #1) and Wheelsflines/PTO Lever (/tern #2)
aside.
Table 1- Carton Contents Parts List
KEY
OTY
DESCRIPTION
FOR MODEL:
7HP 7HP 8HP
8HP
Std.
Elec. Std. Elec.
Photo 2-1:
11
Handlebars ............................................... • • • •
21 Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever ................. • • • •
Photo 2-2:
31
Clutch Pawl Spring ................................... • • • •
41 Belt Adjusting Tool .................................... • • • •
52
Plastic Cable Ties ...................................... • • • •
61
Curved Head Bolt, 1/4"-20 x 2" (Grade 5) ..
• • • •
71
Flanged Lock Nut, 1/4"-20 ........................
• • • •
81
Panhead Screw, #20 -24 x 1/2" ................
• • • •
Photo 2-3:
92
Nuts, 1/4"-20, for battery terminals ..........
• •
10 2 Bolts, 1/4"-20 x 5/8", for battery terminals • •
11 1
Battery Vent Tube ..................................... • •
2
Keys for Electric Start Models ..................
• •
(located in ignition keyswitch)
10
~_;-:)3
4
•
-5
•-
678
1lIlIl;;;;"
~
...
Photo 2-2. Parts inside the litera-
ture envelope.
10
9
11
Photo 2-3. Parts for Electric Start
Tiller models. (Ignition keys are not
shown.)