This document is the Owner's Manual for the Wizard Model No. WAR500A 5 HP 17 Inch Tiller, providing comprehensive information on its assembly, operation, maintenance, and repair.
Function Description
The Wizard WAR500A is a walk-behind powered rotary tiller designed for tilling and cultivating soil. Its primary function is to break up packed soil, prepare garden beds for planting, and clear unwanted vegetation. The tiller utilizes rotating tines to dig into and turn over soil, promoting root growth and enriching the soil by incorporating organic matter. It also features a wheel-drive system for forward and reverse movement, and a depth stake to control tilling depth.
Important Technical Specifications
- Model Number: WAR500A
- Engine Horsepower: 5 HP
- Tilling Width: 17 Inches
- Gasoline Capacity: 3 Quarts (2.8L) of Unleaded Regular gasoline (minimum 87 octane).
- Oil (API-SF-SJ): Capacity of 20 oz. (0.6L). SAE 30 oil is recommended for temperatures above 32°F (0°C), and SAE 5W-30 for temperatures below 32°F (0°C).
- Spark Plug: Champion RC12YC, with a gap of 0.030" (0.76mm).
- Tire Pressure: 20 PSI (1.4 kg/cm²).
- Tine Gap (Maximum): 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) before replacement or straightening.
- Ground Drive Belt Tension: Extension spring stretch of approximately 5/8 inch (16 mm) when the drive control bar is engaged.
Usage Features
The tiller is designed with several features to enhance usability and versatility:
- Controls: Includes a throttle control for engine speed, a drive control bar to engage the tiller, a shift lever with an indicator for transmission gears (Tilling, Forward, Neutral, Reverse), a depth stake to control tilling depth, and a choke control for starting a cold engine.
- Depth Stake: Adjustable to allow for versatile tilling and cultivating depths, or to easily transport the tiller by raising the tines off the ground. Shallowest tilling (cultivating) and deepest tilling positions are available, as well as a transport position.
- Outer Side Shields: Adjustable to protect small plants from being buried during cultivation. They can be raised for deep tilling and lowered for shallow tilling.
- Handle Height Adjustment: The handle height can be adjusted to suit the operator's preference and tilling conditions, with "HIGH" and "LOW" positions available.
- Tine Operation: Tine movement is achieved by moving the shift lever to the "TILL" position and engaging the drive control bar.
- Forward/Reverse Operation: The tiller can move forward (wheels only, tines stopped) by shifting to "F" and engaging the drive control bar. Reverse movement (wheels only, tines stopped) is achieved by shifting to "R" and engaging the drive control bar.
- Tilling Hints: Recommends starting actual field use with the throttle in a slow position until accustomed to handling the tiller. Suggests moistening hard soil before tilling and waiting for extremely wet soil to dry to avoid "balling-up." For easier tilling, it suggests leaving a row untilled between passes and then going back to till them.
- Cultivating: Designed for destroying weeds between rows and breaking up soil crust to retain moisture. Best digging depth for cultivating is 1" to 3" (2.5-7.5 cm).
- Transport: The depth stake can be moved to the top hole for transporting, preventing tines from scuffing the ground. The shift lever should be in "F" position for transport. For transport around town, the spark plug wire should be disconnected, and the fuel tank drained.
Maintenance Features
The manual outlines a comprehensive maintenance schedule to ensure the tiller's longevity and performance:
- Engine Oil: Check engine oil level before each use. Change oil every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year. For cold weather, a change to 5W-30 oil is recommended, though this may increase oil consumption above 32°F (0°C). The engine is shipped with SAE 30 summer weight oil.
- Fuel System: Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline. The fuel tank should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer to prevent gum deposits and acid formation from alcohol-blended fuels. Fuel stabilizer can be used as an alternative to draining the fuel system.
- Air Filter: Clean the foam pre-cleaner every 25 hours or every season. Service the paper cartridge every 100 hours or every season. More frequent service is needed in dusty conditions. Petroleum solvents should not be used to clean the cartridge.
- Spark Plug: Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each tilling season or after every 50 hours of use.
- Muffler: Inspect periodically and replace if damaged. If equipped with a spark arrester screen, remove every 50 hours for cleaning and inspection.
- Transmission: Lubricate the right-hand side gear case grease fitting with EP #1 grease once a season.
- Tines: Check tines for sharpness, wear, and bending. Replace if the gap between tines exceeds 3-1/2 inches (9 cm). Tine shear pins are designed to break under overload to prevent internal transmission damage and should be replaced with specified parts.
- Belts: Inspect and replace belts as necessary. Ground drive belt tension can be adjusted by sliding the cable forward or rearward.
- General Maintenance: Check oil pivot points, inspect air screen, clean engine cylinder fins, and check for loose fasteners regularly.
- Cleaning: Clean the tiller after each use, ensuring the engine and transmission are cool. Avoid using pressurized water directly on gasket areas. Protect painted surfaces with automotive wax.
- Storage: Prepare the tiller for storage at the end of the season or if unused for 30 days or more. This includes cleaning, inspecting belts and fasteners, lubricating, draining fuel, changing engine oil, and preparing the cylinder(s) with oil. The tiller should be stored indoors with a protective cover that does not retain moisture.
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