Troy-Bilt 12097 - ASSEMBLY; Unpacking and Initial Setup; Handlebar Adjustment Procedures

ASSEMBLY
Read these instructions in their entirety before you at¬
tempt to assemble or operate your new equipment. Your
new equipment has been assembled at the factory and
only requires an adjustment of handlebar height.
The Border Edger Attachment does not need to be as¬
sembled or installed right away if you will initially be do¬
ing just tilling and cultivating jobs, not edging projects.
However, if you will be doing border edging first, then the
Border Edger must be installed on your machine (refer to
instructions in this Section).
To ensure safe and proper operation of your machine, all
parts and hardware you install or adjust must be tight¬
ened securely. Use the correct tools to ensure proper
tightness.
IMPORTANT: THE CORRECT MIXTURE OF UNLEAD¬
ED AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE AND TWO-CYCLE MO¬
TOR OIL (USE A 24:1 RATIO OF GAS TO TWO-CYCLE
OIL) MUST BE ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK BEFORE
STARTING THE ENGINE. SPECIFICATIONS AND MIX¬
ING INSTRUCTIONS ARE COVERED IN THE “OPERA¬
TION” SECTION. A FUEL MIXING CUP IS PROVIDED
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
• Inspect your machine immediately. Be sure neither
the carton nor contents have been damaged. If you find
or have reason to suspect damage, contact the Factory
for assistance.
• Remove any packing material from around the ma¬
chine. Before disposing of the carton or any of the pack¬
ing materials, be sure to check them thoroughly for any
small parts.
• Perform the assembly on a clean, level surface. If you
need to move the machine, be careful not to severely
bend any of the control cables on the equipment.
• Before starting any assembly steps, disconnect
the engine spark plug wire from the spark plug. Re¬
fer to Figure 4 on Page 9.
Tools Needed For Assembly:
A few common household tools such as an
adjustable wrench, a pliers, slotted-head and
phillips-head screwdrivers.
ASSEMBLY STEPS
STEP 1: Unfold and Adjust Handlebars
• The unit was shipped with the handlebars folded over
in the storage position. (Be careful when you move the
upper handlebar not to pinch the control cables running
alongside the handlebars. Push the cables out and
away before swiveling the handlebar.) Loosen the han¬
dlebar knob (A, Figure 1) and carefully unfold the han¬
dlebars up into the operating position. Do not force the
handlebar — if it does not move freely, continue to
loosen the knob.
Figure 1: Loosen knob (A). Unfold handlebars (B). Slide
plastic ties (C) to the locations shown.
• There are three handlebar height settings. Select one
by aligning the five teeth on the handlebar ratchet with
five of the seven handlebar pivot slots- refer to Figure 2.
Carefully move the upper handlebar so all five teeth are
each within a slot. NOTE: Try the middle five slots first.
Move the upper handlebar to the desired height, then
rock the upper handlebar back and forth to “feel” when
the teeth and slots are engaged.
• Retighten the handlebar knob.
• Check the locations of the plastic ties (C, Figure 1)
which secure the control cables to the handlebars. The
ties must positioned as shown in Figure 1.
NOTE: There is just one storage position for the handle-
bars- folded over and down as originally shipped to you.
Figure 2: Move upper handlebar up or down to mate ratch¬
et teeth (A) with corresponding slots (B). Three height po¬
sitions are available. Retighten knob.
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