Yard Works 060-3801-2 User manual

Electric Tiller/Cultivator
060-3801-2
IMPORTANT:
Read and follow all safety rules and operating instructions before using this product.
Owner's Manual
TOLLFREE HELPLINE: 1-866-523-5218
CUS
218549

3
WARNING: READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS. Failure to follow all
instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.
General Safety Rules
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLLY
•Read the Owner’s manual carefully. Become thoroughly familiar with the controls and the
proper use of the equipment. Know how to stop the tiller and disengage the controls quickly.
•Do not operate a power tool in an explosive atmosphere, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks that may ignite the dust or fumes.
•Double insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other).
This plug will only fit into a polarized outlet one way. If the plug does not fit into the outlet,
reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, have a proper polarized outlet installed by a qualified
electrician. Do not alter the plug in any way. Double insulation eliminates the need for the
three-wire grounded power cord and grounded power supply system.
•Avoid coming into contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and
refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if operator's body is grounded.
•Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool increasesthe
risk of electric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Do not use the cord to carry a tools, and do not pull on it in order to discon-
nect the plug from an outlet. Keep the cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges, and moving parts.
Replace a damaged cord immediately. A damaged cord increases the risk of electric shock.
•Use only outdoor extension cords marked “W-A” or “W.” These cords are rated for outdoor use,
and reduce the risk of electric shock.
•Never allow children to operate this tool. Do not allow adults to operate this tool without proper
instruction. Always wear safety glasses equipped with side shields. Everyday glasses only have
impact resistant lenses. They are NOT safety glasses. Following this rule will reduce the risk of
eye injury.
•Wear long pants made from a heavy material, boots, and gloves. Avoid loose garments or
jewellery that can get caught in moving parts of the tiller or the motor.
• Do not operate this tool while barefoot or wearing sandals or similar light weight footwear. Wear
protective footwear that will keep your feet safe and improve your footing on slippery surfaces.
•Secure long hair so that it is above shoulder, in order to prevent it from getting caught in
moving parts.
• Do not operate the tiller while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under tines.
• Exercise caution in order to avoid slipping or falling.
• Avoid accidental starting. Verify that the switch trigger is not engaged before plugging in the tool.
• Never pick up or carry the tiller while the tines are turning or while the motor is running.
• Keep the tool in good working condition.
•Frequently check all nuts, bolts, and screws for proper tightness in order to ensure that the tool
is in safe working condition.
• Keep the tiller free of grass, leaves, or grease in order to reduce the risk of a fire.
•Do not use tool if switch does not turn it on or off. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the
switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
•Disconnect the plug from outlet before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or
storing the tool. Following these preventive safety measures reduces the risk of starting the tool
accidentally.

4
General Safety Rules
• Unplug the tiller and verify that all moving parts have come to a complete stop before cleaning,
repairing, or inspecting the tool.
• Never spray water directly into the motor compartment
• Service on the tiller must be performed by qualified repair personnel only. Service or mainte-
nance that is performed by unqualified personnel could result in injury to the user or damage
to the product.
• Use only identical replacement parts when servicing the tiller. The use of unauthorized parts
may create a risk of serious injury to the user, and may cause damage to the product.

5
Specific Safety Rules
• Do not use the tiller near underground electric cables, telephone lines, pipes, or hoses. When
in doubt, contact your utility company or telephone company in order to locate underground
services.
• Verify that your extension cord is in good condition. When using an extension cord, be sure to
use one that is heavy enough to carry the current that your product will draw. A wire gauge size
(AWG) of at least 14 is recommended for an extension cord that is up to 50’ (15 m) in length.
The use of a cord that is longer than 100’ (30 m) is not recommended. When in doubt, use the
next heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord. An undersized cord
will cause a drop in line voltage, which will result in a loss of power and overheating.
• When starting the tiller, follow the instructions carefully, take up a normal operating position,
and keep all body parts well away from the tines.
• If the tiller strikes a foreign object, stop the motor, thoroughly inspect the tool for any damage,
and repair any damage before restarting and operating the tiller.
• Never leave the operating position while the motor is running.
• Unplug the tiller before unclogging the tines and before carrying out any repairs, adjustments,
or inspections.
• Do not overload the capacity of the tiller by cultivating too deep in a single pass or at too fast
a speed.
• Be aware that the tiller may unexpectedly bounce upward or jump forward if the tines strike
buried obstacles such as large stones, roots, or stumps.
• Never operate the tool on a slope.
• Use extreme caution when pulling the tiller toward you.
• Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently, and use them to instruct others in the proper
use of this tiller.
WARNING: Dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other
construction activities may contain chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects,
or other reproductive abnormalities. Some examples of these chemicals include:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks, cement, and other masonry products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
The risk of exposure to these chemicals varies according to how often you do this type of
work. In order to reduce exposure to these chemicals, work in a well ventilated area, and
use approved safety equipment, such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out
microscopic particles.

Read Instructions
Ear Protection Always wear safety headphone when operating
this product.

7
Symbols
SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING
DANGER:
WARNING:
CAUTION:
CAUTION:
The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk
associated with this product.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that can
result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may
result in death orserious injury if it is not avoided.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may
result in minor ormoderate injury if it is not avoided.
(Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that
may result in property damage.
SERVICE
Servicing must be carried out with extreme care
and knowledge, and should only be performed
by a qualified service technician WARNING: In
order to avoid serious personal injury, do not
attempt to use this product until you have
thoroughly read and completely understood the
Owner's Manual. Save this manual for future
reference. For service or repairs, call the
TOLL-FREE HELPLINE: 1-866-523-5218.
When servicing, use only identical replacement
parts.
The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into
the eyes, which can cause severe eye damage. When using this power tool,
always wear safety goggles, safety glasses with side shields, or a full face
shield, if necessary. A Wide Vision Safety Mask is recommended for use over
eyeglasses or standard safety glasses with side shields. Always use eye
protection which is marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
WARNING:
In order to avoid serious personal injury,
do not attempt to use this product until
you have thoroughly read and completely
understood the Owner's Manual. Save this
Owner's Manual, and review it frequently
in order to ensure continued safe
operation, and use it to instruct others with
respect to the proper use of this product.
WARNING:
Save this Owner's Manual

9
Electrical
**Ampere rating (on tool data plate)
0/2.0 2.1/3.4 3.5/5.0 5.1/7.0 7.1/12.0 12.1/16.0
Cord Length Wire Size (A.W.G.)
25´ 16 16 16 16 14 14
50´ 16 16 16 14 14 12
100´ 16 16 14 12 10 —
**Used on 12 gauge / 20 A circuit.
NOTE: AWG = American Wire Gauge
WARNING: Keep the extension cord away from the working area. Position the cord so
that it will not get caught on lumber, tools, or other obstructions while you are working with a
power tool. Failure to do so can result in serious personal injury.
WARNING: Check the extension cord before each use. If it is damaged,replace it
immediately. Do not use a tool with a damaged cord, because touching the damaged area
may cause electric shock, which could result in serious injury.
11111

10
Features
Fig. 1
LOCATION OF PARTS (Fig. 1)
Read this operator's manual and safety rules before operating your cultivator. Compare the
illustration in Fig.1 to your cultivator in order to familiarize yourself with the location of various
controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.
ATTACHING EXTENSION CORD TO CULTIVATOR (Fig.2)
The cord restraint should be located on the right side of upper handle bar, and when used
properly, helpsto protect the motor/tine assembly from striking the extension cord.
SAFETY LOCK-OUT BUTTON
HANDLEBAR
PLUG
CONNECTOR
TINE SHIELD
INNER TINE
HITCH PIN
OUTER TINE
WHEEL ASSEMBLY
BALE TRIGGER
CIRCUIT BREAKER
CORD RETAINER
1) Plug connector
2) Cord retainer
Fig. 2
1
2

11
Assembly
UNPACKING
This product requires assembly.
• Carefully remove the tiller and any accessories from the box. Verify that all of the items
that are listed in the packing list are included.
• Inspect the tool carefully to verify no breakage or damage occurred during shipping.
• Do not discard the packing material until you have carefully inspected and satisfactorily
operated.
• If any parts are damaged or missing, call 1-866-523-5218 for assistance.
PACKING LIST
Tiller
Hitch Pins (2)
Inner Tines (2)
Outer Tines (2)
Felts (2)
Wheel Assembly
Operator’s Manual
WARNING: If any parts are missing, do not operate this tool until the missing parts
have been replaced. Failure to heed this warning could result in serious personal injury.
WARNING: Do not attempt to modify this tool or create accessories that are not
recommended for use with this tool. Any such alteration or modification constitutes misuse,
and could result in a hazardous condition that may lead to serious personal injury.
WARNING: Do not plug the tiller into the outlet until assembly is complete. Failure to
comply could result in accidental starting, and possible serious personal injury.
11111

12
Assembly
ASSEMBLING THE HANDLEBAR (Fig. 2)
1. Align the holes on the middle with the holes on the lower handles. Insert the bolts, and
tighten them using the wing nuts provided.
2. Align the holes on the upper handle with the holes on the middle handle. Insert the bolts, and
tighten them using the wing nuts provided.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
LOWER HANDLE
MIDDLE HANDLE
UPPER
HANDLE
Step1: Release the wing nuts
Step2: Rotate the middle handle
base on the arrowhead 1
way (See Fig 3-1)
Step2: Rotate the upper handle
base on the arrowhead 2
way (See Fig 3-2)
3. Fold the handle base on the Fig.3
arrowhead 1
Wing nuts
arrowhead 2
Fig.3-1
Fig.3-2

13
Assembly
ASSEMBLING THE WHEELS (Fig. 3-4)
The wheels are used to control the depth of operation. To adjust the height of the wheels.
1. Disconnect from power source.
2. Place tiller in a stable position as shown in Fig. 3)
3. Insert the wheel assembly (2) into the support rod (3). (Fig. 4)
4. Pull out on spring-loaded knob (4) and slide wheel shaft up or down depending on the
depth trying to be achieved.
5. The deepest tilling is Position A and highest, Position B.
Fig. 4
(2) WHEEL ASSEMBLY
POSITION A - DEEPEST
POSITION B - HIGHEST
Fig. 3
80º
PULL
ROTATE

14
Assembly
INSTALLING THE TINES (Fig. 5.1-5.6)
The tiller comes with four tines — For correct operation of the unit, the tines must be installed
in the correct order. The tiller may be used with four tines or two tines.
• Disconnect from power source.
• Lean the unit back on its wheels so that it is resting securely with the handlebar on the ground.
1. 2. Place the felt onto the shaft. (Fig. 5.2) Place the tine (B) onto the shaft. The flute of
tine (B) should face away from the gear box.
(Fig. 5.1)
3. Place the tine (A) onto the shaft. The flute of
tine (A) should face in toward tine (B). Insert
the hitch pin into the holes that are located on
shaft in order to secure the tines to the tine
shaft (Fig. 5.3).
4. Place the tine (C) onto the shaft. The flute of
the tine (C) should face away from the gear
box (Fig. 5.4).
Fig. 5.1
FLUTE
GEAR BOX
TINE SHAFT
FRONT
B
B
FLUTE
FELT
GEAR BOX
TINE SHAFT
FRONT
B
Fig. 5.3
Fig. 5.2
FLUTE
TINE SHAFT
TINE SHAFT
GEAR BOX
C
B
AC
FRONT
Fig. 5.4
FRONT
A
B
A
HITCH PIN

15
Assembly
INSTALLING THE TINES (Fig. 5.1-5.6)
The tiller comes with four tines — For correct operation of the unit, the tines must be installed
in the correct order. The tiller may be used with four tines or two tines.
• Disconnect from power source.
• Lean the unit back on its wheels so that it is resting securely with the handlebar on the ground.
5.
4. Place the felt onto the shaft (Fig. 5.5). Place the tine (D) onto the shaft. The flute of
tine (D) should face in toward tine (C). Insert
the hitch pin into the holes that are located on
the shaft in order to secure the tines (Fig. 5.6).
C
B
A
D
D
FRONT
Fig. 5.6Fig. 5.5
HITCH PIN
FLUTE
FELT
TINE SHAFT
GEAR BOX
B
C
FRONT

16
Assembly
TINES INSTALLED CORRECTLY (Fig. 7)
INSTALLING TWO TINES FOR TILLING A NARROW AREA (Fig. 8)
NOTE: When the tines are installed correctly, the flute on the tines should line-up, and the
angled edge of the tine blades should point towards the ground (Fig. 7).
NOTE: The tiller will not operate properly if the tines are not installed correctly. If there is a
problem with the cultivating operation of the tiller, check the tines for proper positioning.
NOTE: The directional arrow that is displayed on each tine should point toward the front.
Place tine (A) onto the shaft, and place tine (D) onto the other side shaft. Insert the hitch pin
into the holes in order to secure the tines to the tine shaft. (Fig. 8)
Fig. 7
AC
BD
FLUTE FLUTE
HITCH PIN
GEAR BOX
FRONT
Fig. 8
A
D
D
FLUTE
FRONT
HITCH PIN

17
Operation
STARTING THE TILLER/CULTIVATOR (Fig. 9)
1. Plug the tiller into an approved outdoor extension cord.
2. Press the Safety-lock out button (1) and pull the Bale Trigger (2) upwards to the handlebar
to begin the rotation. Release Safety lock-out button while continuing to hold upward on
Bale Trigger to continue use.
STOPPING THE TILLER/CULTIVATOR (Fig. 9)
1. Release bale trigger to stop the tiller.
2. Circuit breaker, push to reset
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when
operating tools. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into the eyes, which
could cause a serious injury.
WARNING:
Do not use attachments or accessories that are not recommended by the
manufacturer of this tool. The use of attachments or accessories that are not recommended
can result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Keep hands, feet, and all other body parts or clothing away from the
rotating tines and all other moving parts. The tines begin to rotate forward when the switch
trigger is depressed, and they continue to rotate until the switch trigger is released. Any
contact could result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Do not allow familiarity with power tools to make you careless. Remember
that a fraction of a second of carelessness is enough to cause a serious injury.
WARNING:
1
2
Fig. 9
BALE
TRIGGER
SAFETY
LOCK-OUT
BUTTON
PLUG
CONNECTOR
CIRCUIT BREAKER

18
Operation
The tiller can be used to break up garden soil and prepare a seedbed for planting. Map out area
to be tilled by planning ahead in order to leave enough room between the seed rows to allow for
cultivating after the plants have grown.
Tilling sod into the soil is not recommended. If sod must be removed to perform application then
it is suggested to do as follows:
1. Map out the area of sod required to be removed.
2. Cut into 16 x 36" sections using a spade shovel or edger at a depth of 3 inches.
3. Liftthe sod from the edges using a shovel sliding below at the roots.
4. Remove the sod. Carry sod to compost or other pile turned grass down to allow grass to
decompose.
5. Once sod layer is removed,begin to till the soil to desired depth.
Shallow cultivating (less than 2" [5 cm] deep) can be used to disrupt weeds and aerate soil
without injuring nearby plant roots. It should be done often so that weeds do not grow large
and get tangled in the tines of the tiller.
The two inner blades can be removed from the unit to allow a narrower cultivating width.
See pages14 & 15 for correct tine installation process.
1. With the wheel assembly installed to the desired depth position as described on page 13,
roll the tiller to the work area.
2. Route the extension cord through the extension cord retainer as shown on page 10.
3. Plug the tiller into an approved extension cord.
4. Stand behind the tiller, with the tines on the ground and the work area clean and free of
obstructions.
5. Start the tiller using directions from page 16.
It may take several passes over the same path in order to reach the desired depth.
Do not try to dig too deep on the first pass. If the tiller jumps or bucks, allow it to move
forward at a slightly faster pace. In order to dig more deeply, lift up on the handlebar pushing
the front harder into the ground. Apply downward pressure on the handlebar, pulling unit down
towards you for more shallow cultivating. If the tiller stays and digs in at one spot, try rocking it
from side to side in order to start it moving forward again. If the soil is very hard, water it a few
days before cultivating. Avoid working soil that is soggy or wet. Wait a day or two after heavy
rain for the ground to dry.
If weeds, roots, vines or other growth gets collected around the bottom of the
tiller it is important to stop tiller. Disconnect from power source and clean tines using a
screwdriver or other object which can help remove debris. If necessary,removes tines to
untangle debris from shaft and tines.
Remove rocks and roots before tilling in order to prevent damage to the tiller. Work the soil
when it is neither too wet nor too dry. To test the moisture level of the soil, take a handful of
soil and squeeze it. If it remains in a tight ball when you release your grip, it is too wet. If it
crumbles, it is ready to till. Dry soil is difficult to cultivate, and valuable topsoil can be blown
away when tilling on a windy day. Fall tilling presents many advantages over spring tilling. It
eliminates the need to till in the spring, and it allows for earlier planting. Soil moisture and
temperature conditions are favorable for decomposition of the organic matter that is turned
under in the fall. Furthermore, disease organisms, insects, and perennial weeds can be
reduced by tilling in the fall.
PREPARING THE SEED BED
QUICK TIPS:
IMPORTANT:
NOTE:
TILLING SOD:
GENERAL TILLING/CULTIVATING

19
Maintenance
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are susceptible to damage
from various types of commercial solvents and may be damaged by their use. Use clean cloths
to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc.
MAINTENANCE TIPS:
Before using the tiller, verify the condition of the tines. If the ends come to a sharp point, they
may be worn and in need of replacement. Check the hitch pins that secure the tines to the shaft.
Tighten any loose bolts. Clean dirt and materials from the tiller before storage. When storing for
an extended period of time, it is recommended that light machine oil or grease be applied to the
tines and the shaft in order to prevent rust.
NOTE: Do not spray unit with water. If TINES are cleaned with water,remove from tiller first than
clean with water hose. If water is applied to tines,they must be oiled prior to storage to avoid rust
build up.
When servicing, use only identical replacement parts. Use of any other parts
may create a hazard or cause product damage.
WARNING:
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields during power
tool operation or when blowing dust. If operation is dusty, also wear a dust mask.
WARNING:
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, unplug the power cord
and wait for all moving parts to stop. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
WARNING:
Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline, petroleum-based products,
penetrating oils, etc., come in contact with plastic parts. Chemicals can damage, weaken or
destroy plastic,which may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Only the parts that are shown on the parts list are intended to be repaired or replaced by the
user. For replacement of allother parts, call the toll-free helpline, at 1-866-523-5218.

20
Troubleshooting
Problem Cause Solution
The tiller does
not start.
1. The power cord is not plugged
in or the connection is loose.
2. The household circuit breaker
has been tripped.
3. Extention cord is wrong length
or gauge.
4. Faulty motor.
5. Circuit breaker on switch has
been tripped.
1. Plug in the power cord.
2. Check circuit breaker.
3. Check wiring connection inside
terminal box.
4. Have checked by a Trained
5. Check handle circuit breaker
and push in to reset.
Service Technician.
The motor runs,
but the tines do
not rotate.
The gear train is not working
properly.
Call 1-866-523-5218
Disconnect from power source.
Remove all debris or soil from
tines and gear box. If necessary
remove tines to thoroughly clean
and reinstall for use.
Circuit breaker
on switch or in
house consist-
ently trips.
Debris wrapped around tines
and gear box