Weed Eater WEF500F User manual

104849 2,25.98 TR
PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Rotary Tillers
TRAINING
8 Read the Owner’s Manual carefully. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls and the proper use of the
equipment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage
the controls quickly.
8 Never allow children to operate the equipment. Never
allow adults to operate the equipment without proper
instruction.
8 Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particu¬
larly small children, and pets.
PREPARATION
8 Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to
be used and remove all foreign objects.
® Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before
starting the engine (motor).
® Do not operate the equipment without wearing ad¬
equate outer garments. Wear footwear that will im¬
prove footing on slippery surfaces.
8 Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
9 Use an approved fuel container.
9 Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.
• Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill fuel
tank indoors.
8 Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled
fuel before restarting.
8 Use extension cords and receptacles as specified by
the manufacturer for all units with electric drive motors
or electric starting motors.
• Never attempt to make any adjustments while the
engine (motor) is running (except where specifically
recommended by manufacturer).
OPERATION
® Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
9 Exercise extreme caution when operating on or cross¬
ing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden
hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine (motor),
remove the wire from the spark plug, thoroughly in¬
spect the tiller for any damage, and repair the damage
before restarting and operating the tiller.
a Exercise caution to avoid slipping or failing.
8 if the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
9 Stop the engine (motor) when leaving the operating
position.
° Take all possible precautions when leaving the ma¬
chine unattended. Disengage the tines, shift into
neutral, and stop the engine.
® Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, shut off the
engine and make certain all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.
Disconnect the cord on electric motors.
• Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are
dangerous.
• Never operate the tiller without proper guards, plates,
or other safety protective devices in place.
8 Keep children and pets away.
9 Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting to
till too deep at too fast a rate.
9 Never operate the machine at high speeds on slippery
surfaces. Look behind and use care when backing.
8 Never allow bystanders near the unit.
• 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 restrain the
machine.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
8 Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe
working condition.
8 Check shear pins, engine mounting bolts, and other
bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be
sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
* Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside
a building where ignition sources are present, such as
hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the
like. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.
8 Always refer to the operator’s guide instructions for
important details if the tiller is to be stored for an
extended period.
- IMPORTANT -
CAUTIONS, 1MPORTANTS, AND NOTES ARE A MEANS
OF ATTRACTING ATTENTION TO IMPORTANT OR
CRITICAL INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL.
IMPORTANT: USED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE IS A
POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING THIS EQUIPMENT.
NOTE; Gives essential information that will aid you to
better understand, incorporate, or execute a particular set
of instructions.
A
Look lor this symbol to point out im¬
portant safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it can¬
not contact spark plug in order to pre¬
vent accidental starting when setting
up, transporting, adjusting or making
repairs.
A WARNING A
The engine exhaust from this product con¬
tains chemicals known to the State of Califor¬
nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tiller. It
has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give
you the best possible dependability and performance.
Should you experience any problems you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest authorized service
center. We have competent, well-trained technicians and
the proper tools to service or repair this unit.
Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will
enable you to assemble and maintain your tiller properly.
Always observe the “SAFETY RULES”.
MODEL
NUMBER WBF500F
SERIAL
NUMBER_
DATE OF PURCHASE_
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE
FOUND ON THE MODEL PLATE ATTACHED TO
THE RIGHT HAND ENGINE BRACKET.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER
AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE
PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
HORSEPOWER:
5.0 HP
DISPLACEMENT:
12.57 cu. in. (206cc)
GASOLINE CAPACITY:
3 Quarts (2.8L)
Unleaded Regular
OIL (APi-SF/SG/SH):
SAE 30 (Above 32°F/0°C)
(CAPACITY: 20 oz./0.6L)
SAE 5W-30 (Below 32°F/0°C)
SPARK PLUG:
Champion
(GAP: .03070.76mm)
RJ19LM
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
* Read and observe the safety rules.
* Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and
using your tiller.
® Follow instructions under “Customer Responsibilities"
and “Storage” sections of this Owner’s Manual.
IMPORTANT: THIS UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON OF
NEAR ANY UNIMPROVED FOREST-COVERED, BRUSH-COVERED OR GRASS COVERED LAND UNLESS THE ENGINE'S
EXHAUST SYSTEM IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPARK ARRESTER MEETING APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS (IF ANY). IF A
SPARK ARRESTER IS USED, IT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN EFFECTIVE WORKING ORDER BY THE OPERATOR.
IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, A SPARK ARRESTER IS REQUIRED BY LAW (SECTION 4442 OF THE CALIFORNIA
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE). OTHER STATES MAY HAVE SIMILAR LAWS. FEDERAL LAWS APPLY ON FEDERAL
LANDS. SEE YOUR AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT FOR SPARK ARRESTER.
3

SAFETY RULES. 2
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES...3,11-13
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ..3
WARRANTY. 4
ASSEMBLY... . 5 -8
OPERATION. 7 .
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.. ...
SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS.13-
STORAGE .
TROUBLESHOOTING...
REPAIR PARTS.18-
LIMITED WARRANTY
The Manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from defects in
materials and workmanship. For a period of two (2) years from date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser, we will
repair or replace, at our option, without charge for parts or labor incurred in replacing parts, any part which we find to be
defective due to materials or workmanship. This Warranty is subject to the following limitations and exclusions.
1. This warranty does not apply to the engine or components parts thereof. Please refer to the applicable manufacturer’s
warranty on these items.
2. Transportation charges for the movement of any power equipment unit or attachment are the responsibility of the
purchaser. Transportation charges for any parts submitted for replacement under this warranty must be paid by the
purchaser unless such return is requested by American Yard Products.
3. The Warranty period for any products used for rental or commercial purposes is limited to 90 days from the date of
original purchase.
4. This Warranty applies only to products which have been properly assembled, adjusted, operated, and maintained in
accordance with the instructions furnished. This Warranty does not apply to any product which has been subjected to
alteration, misuse, abuse, improper assembly or installation, delivery damage, or to normal wear of the product.
5. Exclusions: Excluded from this Warranty are belts, tines, tine adapters, normal wear, normal adjustments, standard
hardware and normal maintenance.
6. In the event you have a claim under this Warranty, you must return the product to an authorized service dealer.
Should you have any unanswered questions concerning this Warranty, please contact:
American Yard Products In Canada contact:
Service Department American Yard Products
P.O. Box 1 6 87 1580 Trinity Drive, Units 5-8
Orangeburg.SC 29116 USA Mississauga, Ontario
L5T1L6
giving the model number, serial number and date of purchase of your product and the name and address of the authorized
dealer from whom it was purchased.
THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRAN¬
TIES ARE LIMITED TO THE SAME TIME PERIODS STATED HEREIN FOR OUR EXPRESSED WARRANTIES. Some areas
do not allow the limitation of consequential damages or limitations of how long an implied Warranty may last, so the above
limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from locale to locale.
This is a limited Warranty within the meaning of that term as defined in the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.

ASSEMBLY
Your new tiller has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To
ensure safe and proper operation of your tiller all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the
correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard
wrench sizes are listed.
(1) Utility knife
(1) Pair of pliers
(1) Screwdriver
(2) M2" wrenches
OPERATOR’S POSITION (See Fig. 1)
When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it
means when you are in the operating position (standing
behind tiller handles).
FIG. 1

UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL HANDLE (See
Fig. 2)
A CAUTION: Be careful of exposed
staples when handling or disposing of
cartoning material.
IMPORTANT: WHEN UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLING
TILLER, BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRETCH OR KINK
CABLE(S).
9 Cut cable ties securing handles.
9 Slowly lift handle assembly up and align handle holes
with handle panel hole and slot.
• Loosely assemble hardware as shown. Be sure the
shorter (3/4" long) hex bolt is assembled in lower hole
of handle. Repeat for opposite side. Tighten all
hardware securely.
* Cut cable ties securing tiller to skid and remove tiller
from skid.
INSTALL DEPTH STAKE ASSEMBLY
(See Fig. 3)
• Loosen nut “A”.
8 Insert stake support between engine bracket halves
with stake spring down.
• Bolt stake support to engine brackets with hex bolts,
lock washers and nuts. Tighten securely. Tighten nut
A .
8 Depth stake must move freely. If it does not, loosen
support bolt.
HANDLE HEIGHT
® Handle height may be adjusted to better suit operator.
(See “HANDLE HEIGHT” in the Service and Adjust¬
ments section of this manual).
TILLING WIDTH
« Tilling width may be adjusted to better handle your
tilling conditions (See “TINE ARRANGEMENT” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual).
TINE OPERATION
• Check tine operation before first use. (See “TINE
OPERATION CHECK” in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual).

KNOW YOUR TILLER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER
Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments. Save
this manual for future reference.
fgttfliiffrratrttft L ■ j. ji j liii ju w i *w«**vn .<Tiw ^85a w ,, M>n n 11 m 1111II Ih 11
These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their
meaning.
F
FNRA®e+
TILLING FORWARD NEUTRAL REVERSE CAUTION ENGINE
OR WARNING ON
ENGINE
OFF
FAST
MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Our tillers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.
TINE CONTROL - Engages tines.
CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a cold engine.
THROTTLE CONTROL - Controls engine speed.
DEPTH STAKE - Controls forward speed and the depth at
which the tiller will dig.
RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to start the engine.

SAFETY GLASSES
The operation of any tiiier can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can
result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting
your tiiier and while tilling. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or
standard safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER
STOPPING (See Fig. 5)
TINES
• Release tine control to stop movement.
ENGINE
0 Move throttle control to “STOP” position.
® Never use choke to stop engine.
FIG. 5
TINE OPERATION (See Fig. 5)
• Squeeze tine control to handle.
TILLING
The speed and depth of tilling is regulated by the position
of the depth stake and wheel height.
The depth stake should always be below the wheels for
digging. It serves as a brake to slow the tiller’s forward
motion to enable the tines to penetrate the ground. Also,
the more the depth stake is lowered into the ground the
deeper the tines will dig.
DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 6)
Adjust depth stake by removing the hairpin clip and clevis
pin. Change depth stake to desired position. Replace the
clevis pin and hairpin clip.
0 For normal tilling, set depth stake at the second orthird
hole from the top.
WHEELS (See Fig. 6)
Adjust wheels by removing the hairpin clip and clevis pin.
Change wheel position. Replace the hairpin clip and clevis
pin.
• For normal tilling, set wheels at the second or third hole
from the top.

TRANSPORTING YOUR TILLER
A CAUTION: Before Sifting or transport¬
ing, allow tiller engine and muffler to
cool. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain
gasoline from fuel tank.
AROUND THE YARD
• Tip depth stake forward until it is held by the stake
spring.
• Push tiller handles down, raising tines off the ground.
» Push or pull tiller to desired location.
AROUND TOWN
9 Disconnect spark plug wire.
• Drain fuel tank.
9 Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOTTO ALLOW DIRT
TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING
OIL OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE
IN APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CONTAINERS. USE
CLEAN FILL FUNNELS.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL {See Fig. 7)
• With engine level, remove engine oil filler plug.
® Fill engine with oil to point of overflowing. For approxi¬
mate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” on
page 3 of this manual.
0 Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then re-level.
a With engine level, refill to point of overflowing if neces¬
sary. Replace oil filler plug.
8 For cold weather operation you should change oil for
easier starting {See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
9 To change engine oil, see the Customer Responsibili¬
ties section of this manual.
9 Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon
and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life.)
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F (0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN, WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING.
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of
acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before
storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage section
of this manual for additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
A
CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 Inch of top j
of fuel tank to prevent spills and t© !
allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline Is j
accidentally spilled, move machine i
away from area of spill. Avoid creating I
any source of ignition until gasoline j
vapors have disappeared, j
Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil l
or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gaso- j
line near an open flame. * \
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 8)
\A
CAUTION: Keep tine control in “OFF” j
position when starting engine, 1
When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run
out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
• Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
• Place throttle control in “FAST’ position.
8 Move choke control to full “CHOKE” position. Grasp
recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller
handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will
puli slightly harder at this point).
8 Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter
handle snap back against starter. Repeat if necessary.
® If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to
half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until
engine starts.
• When engine starts, slowly move choke control to
“RUN” position as engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.
8 Move throttle control to desired running position.
9 Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before
engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold tempera¬
tures (below 32° F), the carburetor fuel mixture may need to
be adjusted for best engine performance. See “TO AD¬
JUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.

FIG. 8
BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER
Break-in your belt(s), pulleys and tine control before you
actually begin tilling.
9 Start engine, tip tines off ground by pressing handles
down and engage tine control to start tine rotation.
Allow tines to rotate for five minutes.
8 Check tine operation and adjust if necessary. See
“TINE OPERATION CHECK” in the Service and Ad¬
justments section of this manual.
TILLING HINTS
I A, CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to
A jk handling your tiller, start actual field j
I Sk with throttle in slow position (mid-
I flwLJP way between “FAST” and “IDLE”).
To help tiller move forward, lift up the handles slightly (thus
lifting depth stake out of ground). To slow down the tiller,
press down on handles.
If you are straining or tiller is shaking, the wheels and depth
stake are not set properly in the soil being tilled. The proper
setting of the wheels and depth stake is through trial and
error and depends upon the soil condition. (The harder or
wetter the ground, the slower the engine and tine speed
needed. Underthese poor conditions, at fast speed the tiller
will run and jump over the ground).
A properly adjusted tiller will dig with little effort from the
operator.
9 Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up
packed soil before planting. Loose, unpacked soil
helps root growth. Best tilling depth is4"-6" (10-15 cm).
A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vegetation.
The decomposition of this vegetable matter enriches
the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind),
it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the
growing season to further condition the soil.
* Soil conditions are importantfor proper tilling. Tines will
not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contrib¬
ute to excessive bounce and difficult handling of your
tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling;
however, extremely wet soil will “ball-up” or clump
during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to
achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove
vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping
around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.
e You will find tilling much easier if you leave a row
untilled between passes. Then go back between tilled
rows. (See Fig. 9) There are two reasons for doing this.
First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than
about-faces. Second, the tiller won’t be pulling itself,
and you, toward the row next to it.
Set depth stake and wheel height for shallow tilling
when working extremely hard soil or sod. Then work
across the first cuts at normal depth.
FIG. 9
CULTIVATING
Cultivating is destroying the weeds between rows to pre¬
vent them from robbing nourishment and moisture from
the plants. At the same time, breaking up the upper layer
of soil crust will help retain moisture in the soil. Best
digging depth is 1"-3" (2.5-7.S cm).
9 You will probably not need to use the depth stake.
Begin by tipping the depth stake forward until it is held
by the stake spring.
® Cultivate up and down the rows at a speed which will
allow tines to uproot weeds and leave the ground in
rough condition, promoting no further growth of weeds
and grass (See Fig. 10).
FIG. 10