Troy-Bilt 12097 - ENGINE OPERATION AND TECHNIQUES; Starting and Stopping the Engine; Basic Operation and Tilling Techniques

OPERATION
STOPPING AND STARTING THE ENGINE
ik WARNING
Do not touch Engine Throttle Lever while starting
the engine.
Tines may propel the machine forward if the engine
speed is advanced from idle. Failure to comply can
result in personal injury or property damage.
Stopping the Engine
To stop the engine, move On-Off Switch to OFF position.
NOTE: The on-off wire must always be securely con¬
nected at both ends. Check regularly to see this wire is
firmly attached to its connecting points.
Starting the Engine
• Move the On-Off Switch to the ON position. Deter¬
mine which of the three starting conditions described
next applies to you:
Priming When First Time Starting:
Use this priming method to start a new engine for the
first time, after running out of gas, or after extended stor¬
age. Prime the engine using High-Volume priming. See
Figure 8. Use thumb and forefinger to squeeze side of
primer bulb that is in line with the light-colored rib on the
primer body. As fuel enters the priming system, the
priming action will feel more firm. Squeeze the primer
bulb 6 times. This process removes air from the priming
system.
Priming When Cold Starting:
To prime the engine after it has been sitting idle or has
been in brief storage and has fuel in the tank, use the
Standard Volume method (Figure 8). Push in top of
primer bulb twice if above 55°F, or three times if below 55°F.
When Warm Starting:
Do not use the primer bulb to restart the engine after it
has been stopped after running, still has fuel in the tank,
and has not cooled completely.
Pull Out Starting Rope:
After priming the carburetor, assume the starting posi¬
tion, keeping your feet positioned safely away from the
tines. See Figure 11.
Start the engine using one hand to pull out the recoil
start rope while the other hand stabilizes the machine.
To stabilize the machine, put one hand on the foam part
of the upper handlebar. Use your other hand to slowly
pull out the recoil start rope until you feel resistance. Let
the rope rewind. Then, with a quick arm motion, pull the
rope all the way out, up to 10 times. Let the start rope
rewind slowly.
Allow the engine to warm up for
several seconds. If engine either
fails to start or to continue run¬
ning, push in primer bulb two
times. Grasp start rope and
pull with a rapid, full stroke,
up to 10 times.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
Push the primer bulb in 2
more times. Using a rapid full
stroke, pull out the starting
rope up to 10 times. If engine
still does not start, wait 15 min¬
utes. Do not prime engine fur¬
ther. Grasp start rope and pull
with a rapid, full stroke up to 10
times.
Figure 11: Start¬
ing position.
BASIC OPERATION
• Use your equipment for busting sod,
preparing seedbeds, and for cultivating
in gardens and flower beds.
• The machine is easy to operate, but
it is important that you start out slowly
and read this Section thoroughly before
you start to use your equipment.
• Please remember that tilling depth is
determined by soil conditions, the
depth adjustment setting you select,
engine speed, and the amount of pres¬
sure applied to the handlebars. With
experience, you will find the right com¬
binations for a variety of tilling and
cultivating applications. Generally, the
equipment provides best results when
the soil has moderate moisture content
and a granular texture.
• Let the machine do most of the work.
The tines will pull the machine forward,
letting you adjust forward speed by
pressing down or lifting the handlebars.
Figure 11 A: Assume operator’s
position once engine starts.
13