Troy-Bilt OEM-290-262 User manual

Parts Listing
The shipping carton contains four aerator tines (see
Figure 1) and the installation hardware. If any tines or
hardware are missing or damaged, be sure to contact
your local Authorized Dealer or the Factory right
away.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the
installation procedure, be sure to contact the factory
Technical Service Department.
NOTE: If you ever need to replace a worn or dam-
aged aerator tine or a hardware component, refer to
the part numbers listed below.
CAUTION
TO AVOID INJURY:
• When using the aerator attachment the tine hood
must be properly and securely attached.
• Your machine must be set up in the rear tine
tiller mode (handlebar swiveled over tine hood—
see Owner’s Manual).
• Read the Owner’s Manual thoroughly.
• Know the location and function of all controls.
• Keep all safety devices and shields in place and
working.
• Never allow children or uninstructed adults to
operate the machine.
• Shut off engine and disconnect spark plug wire
before unclogging tines or making repairs.
• Keep bystanders away from machine.
• Keep away from rotating parts.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling
the machine toward you.
Safety
Before installing or using this attachment, carefully
review the “Safety Rules” and “Operation” instruc-
tions in your VersaTiller Owner’s Manual. Doing so
will provide you with safe operating practices that
must be followed at all times.
Figure 1
Contents of Shipping Carton
Installation and
Operation Instructions
AERATOR ATTACHMENT
OEM-290-262/ 290-262-081 for the VersaTiller™
Thank you for ordering the Aerator Attachment for your VersaTiller™ . To
ensure safe and proper installation of the attachment, please read and carefully
follow all instructions.
THANK
YOU!
A
A
A
A
B
C
Ref. No. Part No. Description Qty.
A1911420 Aerator Tine...................................4
BGW-9380 Clevis Pin ......................................4
CGW-9338 Hair Pin Clip ..................................4
Installation Steps
1. Move the unit to a flat, level work surface (swivel han-
dlebar over the engine to “freewheel”the machine).
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from
the spark plug to prevent the possibility of accidental
engine starting.
WARNING
TO AVOID INJURY:
•Before installing or removing the attachment, shut the
engine off, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug
wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug.
•Wear gloves when near tines. Tines may be sharp.

3. Take off the tine hood to make access to the tines easier.
First remove the hair pin clip (A, Figure 2) from the hood
release pin (B). Slide the hood release pin out of the hood
bracket (C). Then lift up the hood flap at the rear of the
hood and tilt the tine hood (D) backward so the bracket at
the rear of the hood disengages from the transmission. Lift
the hood assembly off and put it aside. Keep the hardware
close by.
4. Remove all four tine sets (E, Figure 2) from both ends
of the tine shaft. Save all mounting hardware for later
installation. Please mark the tine sets so they are reinstalled
in the same positions later. (IMPORTANT: The “cut-
ting” edges of the tines must enter the soil first.)
5. Clean the tine shaft (F, Figure 2) and inspect for any
rust or burrs (use fine-grade sandpaper to remove light rust
or burrs). Apply a thin coating of general purpose oil
along the tine shaft.
6. The four aerator tines (G, Figure 3) are identical. Slide
one aerator tine on either the right-side or left-side of the
tine shaft. The hub (H, Figure 3) on the tine must face to
the outside.
7. Place a second aerator tine next to the first tine. Its hub
(I) must face to the inside (toward the transmission case).
If installed correctly, the two tine hubs will face each other.
8. Secure each of these two aerator tines with a clevis pin
(B, Figure 3) and a hair pin clip (C, Figure 3).
9. Repeat Steps 6, 7 and 8 with the other two aerator tines.
10. Replace the tine hood securely.
11. Swivel the handlebar around so it extends over the tine
hood—in the rear tine tiller mode.
2
Figure 2: Remove the tine hood, then take off the tine sets and put them aside.
A
B
C
D
E
E
F
Figure 3: On each end of the tine shaft, the inside aerator
tine goes on with the tine hub facing out (away from the
transmission case). The second aerator tine must have the
tine hub facing inward. Secure all four tines with clevis pins
and hair pin clips.
G
GG
G
I
H
I
B
C
C
C
C
B
BB
H

Operation Tips
The aerator attachment helps develop healthy, dense
lawns by loosening the soil to contribute to better, more
vigorous root growth. The typical lawn should be aerated
once or twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. Lawns
with heavily compacted soil, or lawns with very hard soil
may benefit from additional aeration cycles during the
year, particularly during times of greatest potential growth.
•For best results:
- Mow and rake the lawn before aeration.
- The soil should be somewhat moist or soft, rather
than very dry and hard.
- You may wish to dethatch your lawn before aeration.
The dethatcher attachment (check with your autho-
rized dealer or the Factory as to availability) works
well for this purpose.
•The depth of cut is determined by a number of factors,
including: soil conditions, the ground travel speed, the
engine speed, and the amount of pressure applied to the
handlebars. Be patient while learning to use the aerator
attachment –you may have to experiment to find that
“just right”combination for your particular lawn and
type of terrain.
3
•Holding the Drive Bail closed against the handlebar
engages the wheels and the aerator tines. Lift up on the
handlebars and then slowly lower them until the rotating
tines enter the soil.
•Allow the machine to move forward while the aerator
blades slice into the lawn and soil. Allow enough time
for the tines to dig deeply enough.
•Aerate the soil by making side-by-side passes (see
Figure 4). For more thorough aeration, you may wish to
make a second series of passes at a right angle to the
first series of passes (see Figure 5).
•After aerating the soil, rake up any residue.
•Following aeration is usually a good time to fertilize the
lawn. Follow application recommendations and instruc-
tions provided with the fertilizer. Or, if you have partic-
ularly troublesome spots, you may wish to reseed these
areas after aeration.
IMPORTANT: When replacing the regular tines after
removing the aerator tines, install them as shown in
Figure 2. The cutting edges of the regular tines must
enter the soil first—install the tine sets accordingly.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Figure 4
Figure 5
CAUTION
TO AVOID INJURY:
•Do not operate machine when you are barefoot or
when wearing sandals, sneakers, or similar
lightweight footwear. Wear footwear that will protect
your feet and improve footing on all surfaces.
•Always stop the engine before“freewheeling”the
machine to another location.
•Stop engine, allow it to cool, and disconnect the
spark plug wire before unclogging the tines or per-
forming any repairs or maintenance.

®
®
For customer assistance, visit www.troybilt.com, contact your nearest authorized dealer or:
TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019, 1-866-840-6483
Printed in U.S.A. Form 769-00131 (03/2002)