ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
This unit requires assembly.
UNPACKING
• Carefully remove the product and any accessories from
the box.
• Inspect the product carefully to make sure no breakage
or damage occurred during shipping.
• Do not discard the packing material until you have carefully
inspected and satisfactorily operated the product.
• If any parts are damaged or missing, please call 1-800-800-
7310 (U.S.) or 1-800-668-1238 (Canada) for assistance.
ASSEMBLING THE HANDLEBARS
WARNING:
To prevent serious personal
injury, do not connect electric extension cord to
unit until fully completing cultivator assembly.
Before you can operate the unit, you must install the
handlebars.
1. When you unpack the unit, hold the handle bar in the
position shown in Figure 1 and slide it onto the lower bars.
2. Align the holes in the handlebar with the holes in the
lower bars and insert the bolts through those holes.
3. Hold the handle in place while screwing the knobs onto
the bolts (Fig. 2).
4. Tighten the knobs to secure the handlebars in place.
NOTE:
Do not over-tighten the knobs.
5. Check to make sure the bail is assembled into the
switch assembly (Fig. 1, Inset A).
NOTE:
Take care not to pinch the switch cable when
positioning the handlebars.
6. Clip the switch cable to the cable restraint on the lower
bar as shown in Figure 1, Inset B.
USING THE CORD RETAINER
There is an extension cord re tainer to prevent the extension
cord from disconnecting during use. The retainer hangs
from the cord guide bar.
NOTE:
Do not plug the extension cord into the power
source receptacle until the cord is connected to
the cord retainer and plugged into the unit.
To use the cord retainer:
1. Fold the extension cord in half, forming a tight loop near
the receptacle.
2. Push the loop through the bottom hole in the retainer (Fig. 3).
3. Slide the loop over the retaining clip and pull down until
the cord fits snugly (Fig. 4).
NOTE:
Use a UL-approved extension cord. A 100-foot,
14-gauge cord is recommended. A 50-foot, 16-
gauge cord is acceptable.
The cord retainer keeps the extension cord safely to the
side of the operator by sliding to the left and right on the
guide bar as the unit is moved. Connect your extension
cord to the unit as shown in Figure 5.
STARTING AND STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Avoid accidental starting. Make
sure you are in the operating position behind
the cultivator when using it. To avoid serious
injury, the operator and unit should be in a
stable position while starting.
Connecting to an Electrical Power Source
NOTE:
Connect your extension cord to the cultivator as
instructed on the previous page prior to plugging
your extension cord into an electrical outlet.
1. Plug your extension cord into any convenient (indoor or
outdoor) 120-volt, 60-cycle AC grounded outlet or
receptacle. Your cultivator will operate satisfactorily on a
circuit with a 15 ampere breaker.
NOTE:
To avoid tripping circuit breakers, select an outlet
on a circuit that is not overloaded. Do NOT select
an outlet that is on a circuit hosting appliances
such as a refrigerator.
2. Stand behind the cultivator, in the operating position.
3. Pivot the cultivator slightly toward the rear, so that its
weight is resting on the wheels and the tines are NOT in
contact with the ground
4. Depress the (red) starter button and hold it in (Fig. 6, no. 1).
NOTE:
Starting the cultivator's motor also starts tilling action.
5. While holding the starter button in, pivot the bail upward against the handle bar (Fig. 6, no. 2) to
start the motor and engage the tines.
NOTE:
The cultivator's motor will NOT start if you fail to hold the starter button in while pivoting the
bail upward.
6. Release the (red) starter button and grasp the handle and bail together with both hands (Fig. 7).
STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Release the bail.
2. The starter button will pop out, the bail will pivot downward and the motor will stop.
OVERLOAD PROTECTION SWITCH
This cultivator is equipped with an overload protection switch to prevent overheating damage to the
motor. If the overload protection switch pops out:
1. Release the bail and do NOT re-start the cultivator for at least one minute, allowing for the electric
motor time to cool.
2. Press the overload protection switch inward to reset (Fig. 6, no. 3).
If the overload protection switch pops out shortly after resetting:
1. Release the bail and do NOT re-start the cultivator for at least 15 minutes to allow the electric
motor extra time to cool.
2. Press the overload protection switch inward to reset.
3. Restart unit.
NOTE:
If the overload protection switch pops out repeatedly during operation or will not remain in
when attempting to reset, contact the Customer Support Department to arrange for repair.
A
B
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Do not allow familiarity with this unit to promote carelessness. Remember
that a careless fraction of a second is enough to inflict serious injury.
WARNING:
If any parts are damaged or missing, do not operate the unit until the parts
are replaced. Failure to heed this warning could result in serious personal injury.
PROPER GRIP ON HANDLE
• Always maintain a proper grip on the handle(s) whenever the motor is running. The fingers should
encircle the handle(s) and the thumb(s) should wrap under the handle(s).
PROPER STANCE
• Balance body weight securely, with both feet on solid ground.
WORK AREA PRECAUTIONS
WARNING:
Do not expose the unit to rain. Do not use the unit in damp or wet locations
or conditions.
• Keep everyone – helpers, bystanders, children and animals – at least 50 feet (15 m) away from the
work area. If anyone enters the work area, stop the unit!
• Only operate the unit when visibility and light are adequate to see clearly.
ADJUSTING THE WHEEL SUPPORT BRACKET
WARNING:
Avoid accidental starting. Stop
motor and disconnect extension cord prior to
adjusting the wheel support bracket.
To adjust the wheel support bracket, proceed as follows:
1. Remove cotter pin from the clevis pin and slide pin out
of tailpiece bracket (Fig. 8).
2. Slide the wheel support bracket up or down in the
tailpiece, aligning the holes to the desired height.
3. Place the clevis pin through the hole and secure with a
cotter pin.
USING YOUR CULTIVATOR
WARNING:
Never pick up or carry the unit while the engine is running. Serious personal
injury could result.
1. Move the cultivator to the work area prior to starting the motor. Transport the cultivator by pushing
or pulling it along on its wheels. Or you may choose to carry the cultivator by its front handle.
2. Start the cultivator following all steps under Starting Instructions on the previous page.
3. With both hands on the upper handle, slowly pivot the cultivator forward until the tines make
contact with the soil.
WARNING:
Avoid risk of injury. Keep the extension cord clear of the tilling path at all
times. Do not allow the tines to contact the extension cord.
4. Once the tines are in the ground, cultivate at a moderate pace until you are familiar with the
controls and the handling of the cultivator.
NOTE:
Be aware of the extension cord's location at all times. Never allow the cultivator's tines to
come into contact with the extension cord while operating.
5. To adjust the cultivating depth, adjust the wheel support bracket. See Adjusting the Wheel Support
Bracket.
NOTE:
For cultivation, a two to three inch depth is desirable. When laying out plant rows, be sure
to allow enough width to permit cultivation between the rows.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs with unit
running. Always service and repair a cool unit.
WARNING:
Avoid accidental starting. Stop motor and disconnect extension cord prior to
performing any maintenance or repairs.
REMOVING AND REPLACING TINES
Cultivator tines are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of damage are present. Tines
should also be removed and cleaned after each use.
WARNING:
Cultivator tines are sharp. Always wear leather gloves to protect your hands
when handling tines.
To replace the cultivator's tines:
1. Remove the click pin found at the end of each tine shaft.
NOTE:
Each tine assembly is stamped either "A" or "B"
(Fig. 9). Note each tine's location on the shaft for
easier reassembly.
WARNING:
Do not wash cultivator with a
hose. Avoid getting water on motor and
electrical connections.
2. Carefully remove each tine assembly from the tine shafts.
3. Wipe each tine shaft clean with a damp cloth and apply
a light coat of oil (i.e. 3-N-One) or silicon-based lubricant
to each shaft. Do NOT use WD-40.
4. Rinse each tine assembly with water and thoroughly dry
each it before placing on tine shaft.
5. Re-insert each click pin to secure the tine assemblies in
place.
Tips for Replacing Tines
• Each tine shaft holds one tine assembly stamped "A"
and one tine assembly stamped "B".
• The bell sides of both tine assemblies (on each shaft)
should face each other (Fig. 10).
• The hub of each tine assembly (Fig. 10) should face
outward (away from the cultivator's gearbox).
NOTE:
If it is necessary to replace damaged or missing parts, use only manufacturer suggested
replacement parts. The use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product
damage and will VOID the warranty.
INSPECTING EXTENSION CORDS
1. Inspect all extension cords periodically. Look closely for deterioration, cuts or cracks in the
insulation. Also inspect the connectors for damage.
2. Replace the cords if any defects or damage appear.
Fig. 8
Click Pin
Gearbox
Hubs
Fig. 9
Bell Side
of Tines
Fig. 10
3