OWNER'S MANUAL

MODEL:

PPCRT55

REAR TINE TILLER

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WARNING:

Read this Manual and follow all Warnings and Safety Instructions. Failure to do so can result in serious injury.

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION

Visit our website: www.poulan-pro.com

403701 Rev. 1 02.13.06 TR

Printed in U.S.A.

SAFETY RULES

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Rotary Tillers

TRAINING

???Read the Manual carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the equipment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls quickly.

???Never allow children to operate the equipment. Never allow adults to operate the equipment without proper instruction.

???Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, par- ticularly small children, and pets.

PREPARATION

???Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used and remove all foreign objects.

???Disengage all clutches and shift into neutral before starting the engine (motor).

???Never operate the tiller without proper guards, plates, or other safety protective devices in place.

???Keep children and pets away.

???Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting to till too deep at too fast a rate.

???Never operate the machine at high speeds on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care when backing.

???Never allow bystanders near the unit.

???Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manufacturer of the tiller.

???Never operate the tiller without good visibility or light.

???Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The tines may catch in the ground and propel the tiller forward. If this occurs, let go of the handlebars and do not restrain the machine.

???Do not operate the equipment without wearing ade- quate outer garments. Wear footwear that will improve footing on slippery surfaces.

???Handle fuel with care; it is highly ???ammable.

???Use an approved fuel container.

???Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.

???Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never ???ll fuel tank indoors.

???Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled fuel before restarting.

???Use extension cords and receptacles as speci???ed by the manufacturer for all units with electric drive motors or electric starting motors.

???Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine (motor) is running (except where speci???cally recommended by manufacturer).

OPERATION

???Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.

???Exercise extreme caution when operating on or cross- ing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traf???c. Do not carry passengers.

???After striking a foreign object, stop the engine (motor), remove the wire from the spark plug, thoroughly inspect the tiller for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the tiller.

???Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

???If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

???Stop the engine (motor) when leaving the operating position.

???Take all possible precautions when leaving the machine unattended. Disengage the tines, shift into neutral, and stop the engine.

???Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, shut off the engine and make certain all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.Disconnect the cord on electric motors.

???Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are dangerous.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

???Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe working condition.

???Check shear pins, engine mounting bolts, and other bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.

???Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building where ignition sources are present, such as hot water and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the like. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

???Always refer to the operator???s guide instructions for important details if the tiller is to be stored for an ex- tended period.

- IMPORTANT -

CAUTIONS, IMPORTANTS, AND NOTES ARE A MEANS OF

ATTRACTING ATTENTION TO IMPORTANT OR CRITICAL

INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL.

IMPORTANT: USED TO ALERT YOU THAT THERE IS A

POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING THIS EQUIPMENT.

NOTE: Gives essential information that will aid you to better understand, incorporate, or execute a particular set of instructions.

Look for this symbol to point out im- portant safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it can- not contact spark plug in order to pre- vent accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproduc- tive harm.

2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tiller. It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance.

Should you experience any problems you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest authorized service center. We have competent, well-trained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will enable you to assemble and maintain your tiller properly. Always observe the ???SAFETY RULES???.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

???Read and observe the safety rules.

???Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your tiller.

???Follow instructions under ???Maintenance??? and ???Storage??? sections of this Owner???s Manual.

WARNING: This unit is equipped with an internal com- bustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the state of California, a spark arrester is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. See your authorized service center/ DEPARTMENT for spark arrester.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3

ASSEMBLY

Your new tiller has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tiller all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed.

(1) Utility knife

(1) Tire pressure gauge

(1) Pair of pliers

(1) 9/16" wrench

OPERATOR???S POSITION (See Fig. 1)

When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it means when you are in the operating position (standing behind tiller handles).

FRONT

OPERATOR???S

POSITION

FIG. 1

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

4

ASSEMBLY

UNPACKING CARTON (See Fig. 2)

CAUTION: Be careful of exposed staples when handling or disposing of cartoning material.

IMPORTANT:WHEN UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLINGTILLER,

BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRETCH OR KINK CABLES.

???While holding handle assembly, cut cable ties securing handle assembly to top frame and depth stake. Let handle assembly rest on tiller.

???Remove top frame of carton.

???Slowly ease handle assembly up and place on top of carton.

???Cut down right hand front and right hand rear corners of carton, lay side carton wall down.

???Remove packing material from handle assembly.

SHIFT ROD

carton_1

HANDLE

ASSEMBLY

FIG. 2

INSTALL HANDLE (See Figs. 3, 4, and 5)

???Insert one handle lock (with teeth facing outward) in gearcase notch. (Apply grease on smooth side of handle lock to aid in keeping lock in place until handle assembly is lowered into position.)

VIEWED FROM R.H. SIDE OF TILLER

HANDLE ASSEMBLY

GEARCASE

NOTCH

HANDLE

LOCK

FIG. 3

???Grasp handle assembly. Hold in ???up??? position. Be sure handle lock remains in gearcase notch. Slide handle

assembly into position.

FIG. 4

???Rotate handle assembly down. Insert rear carriage bolt ???rst, with head of bolt on L.H. side of tiller and loosely assemble locknut (See Fig. 5).

???Insert pivot bolt in front part of plate and tighten.

???Cut down remaining corners of carton and lay panels ???at.

???Lower the handle assembly. Tighten nut on carriage bolt so handle moves with some resistance. This will allow for easier adjustment.

???Place ???at washer on threaded end of handle lock le- ver.

???Insert handle lock lever through handle base and gearcase. Screw in handle lock lever just enough to hold lever in place.

???Insert second handle lock (with teeth inward) in the slot of the handle base (just inside of washer).

???Raise handle assembly to highest position and securely tighten handle lock lever by rotating clockwise. Leaving handle assembly in highest position will make it easier to connect shift rod.

CARRIAGE

BOLT

FIG. 5

5

ASSEMBLY

INSERT CABLE CLIP (See Fig. 6)

???Insert plastic cable clip into hole on the back of handle column. Push cables into clip.

HANDLE

COLUMN

CABLES

CABLE CLIP

FIG. 6

CONNECT SHIFT ROD (See Fig. 7)

???Insert end of shift rod farthest from bend into hole of shift lever indicator.

???Insert hairpin clip through hole of shift rod to secure with bend of clip on right side.

REMOVE TILLER FROM CRATE

???Adjust handle assemby to lowest position. Be sure lock lever is tightened securely.

???Make sure shift lever indicator is in ???N??? (neutral) position (See Fig. 7)

???Tilt tiller forward by lifting handle. Separate cardboard cover from leveling shield.

???Rotate tiller handle to the right and pull tiller out of carton.

FIG. 7

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

The tires on your unit were overin???ated at the factory for shipping purposes. Correct and equal tire pressure is important for best tilling performance.

???Reduce tire pressure to 20 PSI(1.4 kg/cm2)

HANDLE HEIGHT

???Handle height may be adjusted to better suit operator. (See ???TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT??? in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual).

6

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR TILLER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER.

Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.

DRIVE CONTROL

BARTHROTTLE

CONTROL

SHIFT LEVER

CHOKE CONTROL

SHIFT LEVER

INDICATOR

DEPTH STAKE

LEVELING

SHIELD

FIG. 8

MEETS ANSI SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Our tillers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.

CHOKE CONTROL - Used when starting a cold engine. DEPTH STAKE - Controls depth at which tiller will dig. DRIVE CONTROL BAR - Used to engage tines. LEVELING SHIELD - Levels tilled soil.

OUTER SIDE SHIELD - Adjustable to protect small plants from being buried.

RECOIL STARTER HANDLE - Used to start the engine. SHIFT LEVER - Used to shift transmission gears. SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR - Shows which gear the trans- mission is in.

7

OPERATION

The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting your tiller and while tilling. We recommend a wide vision safety mask for over spectacles or standard safety glasses.

00155

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER

Know how to operate all controls before adding fuel and oil or attempting to start engine.

STOPPING (See Fig. 9)

TINES AND DRIVE

SHALLOWEST

TILLING

TRANSPORT

POSITION

???Release drive control bar to stop movement.

???Move shift lever to ???N??? (neutral) position.

ENGINE

???Move throttle control to ???STOP??? position.

???Never use choke to stop engine.

DRIVE CONTROL BAR

???ENGAGED??? POSITION

SHIFT

DRIVE CONTROL BARLEVER

???DISENGAGED??? POSITION

FIG. 9

TINE OPERATION - WITH WHEEL DRIVE

???Always release drive control bar before moving shift lever into another position.

???Tine movement is achieved by moving shift lever to

( ) till position and engaging drive control bar.

FORWARD - WHEELS ONLY/TINES

STOPPED

???Release drive control bar and move shift lever indicator to ???F??? (forward) position. Engage drive control bar and tiller will move forward.

REVERSE - WHEELS ONLY/TINES STOPPED

???DO NOT STAND DIRECTLY BEHIND TILLER.

???Release the drive control bar.

???Move throttle control to ???SLOW??? position.

???Move shift lever indicator to ???R??? (reverse) position.

???Hold drive control bar against the handle to start tiller movement.

HARD TO SHIFT GEARS

???Brie???y engage drive control bar and release or rock tiller forward and backward until are able to shift gears.

DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 10)

The depth stake can be raised or lowered to allow you more versatile tilling and cultivating, or to more easily transport your tiller.

(CULTIVATING)

DEEPEST

TILLING

DEPTH

STAKE

FIG. 10

TILLING (See Fig. 11)

???Release depth stake pin. Pull the depth stake up for increased tilling depth. Place depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in position.

???Place shift lever indicator in tilling position.

???Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start tilling movement. Tines and wheels will both turn.

???Move throttle control to ???FAST??? position for deep tilling. To cultivate, throttle control can be set at any desired speed, depending on how fast or slow you wish to cultivate.

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS RELEASE DRIVE CONTROL

BAR BEFORE MOVING SHIFT LEVER INTO ANOTHER

POSITION.

FIG. 11

TURNING

???Release the drive control bar.

???Move throttle control to ???SLOW??? position.

???Place shift lever indicator in ???F???(forward) position. Tines will not turn.

???Lift handle to raise tines out of ground.

8

OPERATION

???Swing the handle in the opposite direction you wish to turn, being careful to keep feet and legs away from tines.

???When you have completed your turn-around, release the drive control bar and lower handle. Place shift lever in till position and move throttle control to desired speed. To begin tilling, hold drive control bar against the handle.

OUTER SIDE SHIELDS (See Fig. 11)

The back edges of the outer side shields are slotted so that the shields can be raised for deep tilling and lowered for shallow tilling to protect small plants from being buried. Loosen nut ???A??? in slot and nut ???B???. Move shield to desired position (both sides). Retighten nuts.

TO TRANSPORT

CAUTION: Before lifting or transporting, allow tiller engine and muf???er to cool. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from fuel tank.

AROUND THE YARD

???Release the depth stake pin. Move the depth stake down to the top hole for transporting the tiller. Place depth stake pin in hole of depth stake to lock in posi- tion. This prevents tines from scuf???ng the ground.

???Place shift lever indicator in ???F??? (forward) position for transporting.

???Hold the drive control bar against the handle to start tiller movement. Tines will not turn.

???Move throttle control to desired speed.

AROUND TOWN

???Disconnect spark plug wire.

???Drain fuel tank.

???Transport in upright position to prevent oil leakage.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

IMPORTANT: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW DIRT

TO ENTER THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING

OIL OR FUEL. USE CLEAN OIL AND FUEL AND STORE IN

APPROVED, CLEAN, COVERED CONTAINERS. USE CLEAN

FILL FUNNELS.

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 12)

???The engine in your unit has been shipped, from the factory, already ???lled with SAE 30 summer weight oil.

???With engine level, clean area around oil ???ller plug and remove plug.

???Engine oil should be to point of over???owing when engine is level. For approximate capacity see ???PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS??? on page 3 of this manual. All oil must meet A.P.I. Service Classi???cation SF-SJ.

???Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

???For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See oil viscosity chart in the Mainte- nance section of this manual).

???To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual.

OIL

LEVEL

FIG. 12

ADD GASOLINE

???Fill fuel tank to bottom of ???ller neck. Do not over???ll. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow for fuel expansion. If gasoline is ac- cidentally spilled, move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of ignition until gasoline vapors have disappeared.

Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open ???ame.

IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW32??F(0??C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE

GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER

STARTING.

CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can at- tract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13)

CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in ???DISENGAGED??? position when start- ing engine.

When starting engine for the ???rst time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine.

9

OPERATION

???Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.

???Move shift lever indicator to ???N??? (neutral) position.

???Place throttle control in ???FAST??? position.

???Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position.

???Move choke control to choke position.

???Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

???Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.

???If engine ???res but does not start, move choke control to half choke position. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts.

???When engine starts, slowly move choke control to "RUN" position as engine warms up.

NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.

???Move throttle control to desired running position.

???Allow engine to warm up for a few minutes before engaging tines.

NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32??F), the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

NOTE: If engine does not start, see troubleshooting points.

CHOKE CONTROL

RECOIL STARTER

HANDLE

FIG. 13

TILLING HINTS

CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to handling your tiller,start actual ???eld use with throttle in slow position (mid-way between ???FAST??? and ???IDLE???).

???Tilling is digging into, turning over, and breaking up packed soil before planting.Loose, unpacked soil helps root growth. Best tilling depth is 4" to 6" (10-15 cm). A tiller will also clear the soil of unwanted vegetation. The decomposition of this vegetable matter enriches the soil. Depending on the climate (rainfall and wind), it may be advisable to till the soil at the end of the growing season to further condition the soil.

???You will ???nd tilling much easier if you leave a row un- tilled between passes. Then go back between tilled rows. (See Fig. 14) There are two reasons for doing this. First, wide turns are much easier to negotiate than about-faces. Second, the tiller won???t be pulling itself,

and you, toward the row next to it.

???Soil conditions are important for proper tilling.Tines will not readily penetrate dry, hard soil which may contribute to excessive bounce and dif???cult handling of your tiller. Hard soil should be moistened before tilling; however, extremely wet soil will ???ball-up??? or clump during tilling. Wait until the soil is less wet in order to achieve the best results. When tilling in the fall, remove vines and long grass to prevent them from wrapping around the tine shaft and slowing your tilling operation.

???Do not lean on handle. This takes weight off the wheels and reduces traction. To get through a really tough section of sod or hard ground, apply upward pressure on handle or lower the depth stake.

FIG. 14

CULTIVATING

Cultivating is destroying the weeds between rows to pre- vent them from robbing nourishment and moisture from the plants. At the same time, breaking up the upper layer of soil crust will help retain moisture in the soil. Best digging depth is 1" to 3" (2.5-7.5 cm). Lower the outer side shields to protect small plants from being buried.

???Cultivate up and down the rows at a speed which will allow tines to uproot weeds and leave the ground in rough condition, promoting no further growth of weeds and grass (See Fig. 15).

FIG. 15

TINE SHEAR PINS

The tine assemblies on your tiller are secured to the tine shaft with shear pins (See ???TINE REPLACEMENT??? in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual).

If the tiller is unusually overloaded or jammed, the shear pins are designed to break before internal damage occurs to the transmission.

???If shear pin(s) break, replace only with those shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual.

10

MAINTENANCE

1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures. 2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions.

SERVICE DATES

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this tiller does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, the operator must maintain tiller as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your tiller.

All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season.

???Once a year you should replace the spark plug, clean or replace air ???lter, and check tines and belts for wear. A new spark plug and clean air ???lter assure proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer.

BEFORE EACH USE

???Check engine oil level.

???Check tine operation.

???Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See ???LUBRICATION CHART???).

LUBRICATION CHART

cTHROTTLE CONTROL

d ENGINE

eRH GEAR CASE

GREASE FITTING

c DEPTH

STAKE PIN

c LEVELING

SHIELD

HINGES

cSAE 30 OR 10W-30 MOTOR OIL

dREFER TO MAINTENANCE ???ENGINE??? SECTION

eEP #1 GREASE

11

MAINTENANCE

Disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance (except carburetor adjustment) to prevent accidental starting of engine.

Prevent ???res! Keep the engine free of grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Remove fuel from tank before tipping unit for maintenance. Clean muf???er area of all grass, dirt, and debris.

Do not touch hot muf???er or cylinder ???ns as contact may cause burns.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classi???cation SG-SL. Select the oil???s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

oil_visc_chart5_e(drt)

FIG. 16

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W-30, 10W-30, etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 40??F (4??C). Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.

Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year if the tiller is not used for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each ???ve (5) hours of continuous use. Add SAE 30 motor oil or equivalent. Tighten oil ???ller plug securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 16 and 17)

Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classi???cation SG-SL.

???Be sure tiller is on level surface.

???Oil will drain more freely when warm.

???Use a funnel to prevent oil spill on tiller, and catch oil in a suitable container.

???Remove drain plug. For easier removal of plug use 7/16 12 Pt. socket with extension.)

???Tip tiller forward to drain oil.

???After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug and tighten securely.

???Remove oil ???ller plug. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine.

???Re???ll engine with oil. See???CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL??? in the Operation section of this manual.

OIL

DRAIN

PLUG

OIL FILLER OIL LEVEL

PLUG

FIG. 17

AIR FILTER (See Fig. 18)

Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air ???lter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of operation or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs ???rst.

Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.

???Remove cover screw and cover.

TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER

???Remove foam pre-cleaner from air cleaner cover.

???Wash it in liquid detergent and water.

???Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.

???If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cleaner.

???Reinstall pre-cleaner into air cleaner cover.

???Reinstall cover and secure screw.

TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE

???Carefully remove cartridge to prevent debris from entering carburetor. Clean base carefully to prevent debris from entering carburetor.

???Clean cartridge by tapping gently on ???at surface. If very dirty or damaged, replace cartridge.

???Reinstall cartridge, cover with pre-cleaner and secure with screw.

IMPORTANT: PETROLEUM SOLVENTS, SUCH AS KEROSENE,

ARE NOT TO BE USED TO CLEAN THE CARTRIDGE. THEY

MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF THE CARTRIDGE. DO NOT

OIL CARTRIDGE. DO NOT USE PRESSURIZED AIRTO CLEAN

OR DRY CARTRIDGE.

COVER

KNOB

COVER

AIR CLEANER

CARTRIDGE

FOAM

PRECLEANER

BASE

FIG. 18

12

MAINTENANCE

COOLING SYSTEM (See Fig. 19)

Your engine is air cooled. For proper engine performance and long life keep your engine clean.

???Clean air screen frequently using a stiff-bristled- brush.

???Remove blower housing and clean as necessary.

???Keep cylinder ???ns free of dirt and chaff.

BLOWER

HOUSING

AIR SCREEN

FIG. 19

MUFFLER

Do not operate tiller without muf???er. Do not tamper with exhaust system.Damaged muf???ers or spark arresters could create a ???re hazard. Inspect periodically and replace if necessary. If your engine is equipped with a spark arrester screen assembly, remove every 50 hours for cleaning and inspection. Replace if damaged.

SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each tilling sea- son or after every 50 hours of use, whichever comes ???rst. Spark plug type and gap setting is shown in ???PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS??? on page 3 of this manual.

TRANSMISSION

Once a season, lubricate the right hand side gear case grease ???tting with 1 oz. of EP #1 Grease.

CLEANING

Do not clean your tiller when the engine and transmission are hot. We do not recommend using pressurized water (garden hose, etc.) to clean your unit unless the gasket area around the transmission and the engine muf???er, air ???lter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine will shorten the useful life of your tiller.

???Clean engine, wheels, ???nish, etc. of all foreign mat- ter.

???Keep ???nished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc.

???Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax.

13

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come into contact with plug.

TILLER

TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT (See Fig. 20)

Select handle height best suited for your tilling conditions. Handle height will be different when tiller digs into soil.

???First loosen handle lock lever.

???Handle can be positioned at different settings between ???HIGH??? and ???LOW??? positions.

???Retighten handle lock lever securely after adjusting.

HANDLE (HIGH

POSITION)

HANDLE LOCK

LEVER

HANDLE (LOW

POSITION)

FIG. 20

TIRE CARE

CAUTION: When mounting tires, un- less beads are seated,overin???ation can cause an explosion.

???Maintain 20 PSI (1.4 kg/cm2) of tire pressure. If tire pressures are not equal, tiller will pull to one side.

???Keep tires free of gasoline or oil which can damage rubber.

TO REMOVE WHEEL (See Fig. 21)

???Place blocks under transmission to keep tiller from tipping.

???Remove outer side shield by removing nuts ???A??? and ???B???.

???Remove inner side shield by removing nuts ???C??? and ???D???.

???Remove hairpin clip and clevis pin from wheel.

???Remove wheel and tire.

???Repair tire and reassemble.

FIG. 21

TO REMOVE BELT GUARD (See Fig. 22)

NOTE: For ease of removal, remove hairpin clip and clevis pin from left wheel. Pull wheel out from tiller about 1 inch.

???Remove two (2) screws from side of belt guard.

???Remove hex nut and washer from bottom of belt guard (located behind wheel).

???Pull belt guard out and away from unit.

???Replace belt guard by reversing above procedure.

BELT GUARD

SCREW

HEX NUT

AND WASHER

(LOCATED

BEHIND TIRE)

SCREW

HAIRPIN CLIP AND

CLEVIS PIN

FIG. 22

14

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

TO REPLACE GROUND DRIVE BELT

(See Figs. 22 and 23)

???Remove belt guard as described in ???TO REMOVE BELT GUARD???.

???Remove old belt by slipping off engine pulley ???rst then remove from transmission pulley.

???Place new belt in groove of transmission pulley and into engine pulley. BELT MUST BE IN GROOVE ON

TOP OF IDLER PULLEY. NOTE POSITION OF BELT

TO GUIDES.

???Check belt adjustment as described below.

???Replace belt guard.

???Reposition wheel and replace clevis pin and hairpin clip.

GROUND DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT

(See Fig. 23)

For proper belt tension, the extension spring should have about 5/8 inch (16 mm) stretch when drive control bar is in ???ENGAGED??? position. This tension can be attained as follows:

???Loosen cable clip screw securing the drive control cable.

???Slide cable forward for less tension and rearward for more tension until about 5/8 inch (16 mm) stretch is obtained while the drive control bar is engaged.

???Tighten cable clip screw securely.

CABLE CLIP

SCREW

ENGINE

PULLEYDRIVE

CONTROL

CABLE

LESS

TENSION

MORE 5/8" TENSION

15

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

TINE REPLACEMENT

(See Figs. 24, 25, and 26)

CAUTION: Tines are sharp. Wear gloves or other protection when han- dling tines.

A badly worn tine causes your tiller to work harder and dig more shallow. Most important, worn tines cannot chop and shred organic matter as effectively nor bury it as deeply as good tines. A tine this worn needs to be replaced.

FIG. 24

???To maintain the superb tilling performance of this machine the tines should be checked for sharpness, wear, and bending, particularly the tines which are next to the transmission. If the gap between the tines exceeds 3-1/2 inches (9 cm), they should be replaced or straightened as necessary.

???New tines should be assembled as shown in Fig. 26. Sharpened tine edges will rotate rearward from above.

FIG. 25

FIG. 26

16

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

ENGINE

TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE

(See Fig. 27)

The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary. If adjustment is necessary, proceed as follows:

???With engine not running, move remote throttle control lever to ???FAST??? position.

???If throttle lever on engine touches high speed stop, no further adjustment is necessary. If throttle lever does not touch high speed stop, continue with adjustment procedure.

???Loosen cable clamp screw.

???Move throttle lever up until it touches high speed stop, and hold in this position.

???Tighten cable clamp screw securely.

CLAMP SCREW

CASING

AND WIRE

TO ADJUST CARBURETOR

The carburetor has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary. However, engine performance can be affected by differences in fuel, temperature, altitude or load. If the carburetor does need adjustment, contact your nearest authorized service center/department

IMPORTANT:NEVERTAMPERWITHTHEENGINEGOVERNOR,

WHICH IS FACTORY SET FOR PROPER ENGINE SPEED.

OVERSPEEDING THE ENGINE ABOVE THE FACTORY HIGH

SPEED SETTING CAN BE DANGEROUS. IF YOU THINK THE

ENGINE-GOVERNED HIGH SPEED NEEDS ADJUSTING,

CONTACTYOUR NEAREST AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER/

DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS THE PROPER EQUIPMENT AND

EXPERIENCE TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

engine_art_78

THROTTLE CONTROL

FIG. 27

17

STORAGE

Immediately prepare your tiller for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more.

CAUTION: Never store the tiller with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open ???ame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

TILLER

???Clean entire tiller (See???CLEANING???in the Maintenance section of this manual).

???Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See belt re- placement instructions in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual).

???Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance section of this manual.

???Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear. Replace if necessary.

???Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting.

ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM

IMPORTANT:IT IS IMPORTANTTO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS

FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH

AS THE CARBURETOR, FUEL FILTER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK

DURING STORAGE. ALSO, EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT

ALCOHOL BLENDED FUELS (CALLED GASOHOL OR USING

ETHANOL OR METHANOL) CAN ATTRACT MOISTUREWHICH

LEADSTO SEPARATION AND FORMATION OF ACIDS DURING

STORAGE. ACIDIC GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM

OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE.

???Empty the fuel tank by starting the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty.

???Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent.

???Use fresh fuel next season.

NOTE: Fuel stablizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stablizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stablizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.

ENGINE OIL

Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean oil. (See ???ENGINE??? in the Maintenance section of this manual).

CYLINDER(S)

???Remove spark plug.

???Pour 1 ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder.

???Pull starter handle slowly several times to distribute oil.

???Replace with new spark plug.

OTHER

???Do not store gasoline from one season to another.

???Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems.

???If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt.

???Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover that does not retain moisture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe which allows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust.

IMPORTANT: NEVER COVER TILLER WHILE ENGINE AND

EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM.

18

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS

19

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

HANDLE ASSEMBLY

2

25

26

24

15

31

Handle_assy_36

KEY PART

NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

1532 18 94-82 Control, Throttle

2532 14 14-06 Grip, Handle

3532 11 06-73 Grommet Handle

4532 12 72-54 Bar Assembly, Control

5532 12 47-17 Cap Vinyl

6532 18 99-51 Panel, Control

7532 11 06-41 Bushing Split

8817 72 04-08 Screw, Thd. Cut 1/4-20 x 1/2

9872 01 05-20 Bolt 5/16-18 x 2.50

10532 11 06-46 Grip, Handle

11532 12 47-88 Retainer Spring

12532 08 13-28 Bolt, Shoulder

13532 18 74-97 Handle, Shift

14532 10 93-13 Grommet, Rubber

15532 11 07-02 Rod, Shift

16872 11 06-08 Bolt, Carriage 3/8-16 x 1 Gr. 5

KEY PART

NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

17532 10 92-29 Lock, Handle

18873 68 06-00 Nut, Crownlock 3/8-16 unc

19819 13 16-11 Washer 13/32 x 1 x 11 Ga.

20532 10 92-28 Lever, Lock, Handle

21532 15 06-28 Handle

22532 16 51-97 Clip Cable

23532 08 67-77 Screw, Hex Washer Hd. Slotted

#10-24 x 1/2

24532 00 94-84 Clip

25873 97 05-00 Nut

26532 11 06-75 Cable, Clutch

27873 90 04-00 Nut Hex Flange 1/4-20 unc

31532 15 06-96 Bolt, Pivot

NOTE: All component dimensions given in U.S. inches. 1 inch = 25.4 mm

20

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

MAINFRAME, LEFT SIDE

23532 00 50-15 Tire

532 12 72-59 Rim

21

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

MAINFRAME, RIGHT SIDE

13

12

11

15

2

5

7 10

8

9

10

KEY PART

NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

2 873 97 05-00 Locknut, Hex, Flange 5/16-18 5 532 10 23-32 Bracket, Reinforcement

7532 10 21-73 Counter Weight, R.H.

8810 04 06-00 Washer, Lock 3/8

9873 22 06-00 Nut, Hex 3/8-16

10874 76 05-24 Bolt, Hex 5/16-18 x 1-1/2

11532 12 47-88 Clip, Hairpin

12532 12 68-75 Rivet, Drilled

KEY PART

NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

13532 00 50-15 Tire

532 12 72-59 Rim

532 12 47-18 Tire Valve

NOTE: All component dimensions given in U.S.inches. 1 inch = 25.4 mm

22

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

TRANSMISSION

23

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

TINE SHIELD

tine_shield_16_in

24

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

TINE ASSEMBLY

2

1

3

5

1

4

3

KEY PART

NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

1532 00 44-59 Tine, Outer, L.H.

2532 13 26-73 Clevis Pin

3532 00 65-54 Tine, Inner, L.H.

4532 12 46-60 Retainer, Spring Zinc

5532 13 27-27 Assembly, Hub and Plate, L.H.

8874 61 06-16 Bolt, Hex 3/8-24 x 1

9532 00 44-60 Tine, Outer, R.H.

34

9 8

10532 13 27-28 Assembly, Hub and Plate, R.H.

11532 00 65-55 Tine, Inner, R.H.

34 873 54 06-00 Nut Crownlock 3/8-24

NOTE: All component dimensions given in U.S. inches. 1 inch = 25.4 mm

25

REPAIR PARTS

TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER PPCRT55 (96091001200), PRODUCT NUMBER 960 91 00-12

DECALS

34

1

2

8

10

7

9

12

11

KEY PART

NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

1532 40 37-07 Decal, Belt Guard

2532 15 78-01 Decal, Control Panel

3532 40 36-53 Decal, Logo

4532 13 75-38 Decal, Control Tine

5532 12 04-31 Decal, Hand Placement

6532 10 21-80 Decal, Shift Indicator

7532 16 22-15 Decal, Warning

8532 40 36-89 Decal, Engine Intek REF

9532 16 88-69 Decal, Tick Mark

10532 19 48-08 Decal, Engine OHV

11532 17 35-38 Decal, Engine

12532 12 00-75 Decal, Warning, Rotating Tines

-- 532 40 37-01 Manual, Owner's

26

LIMITED WARRANTY

The Manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from de- fects in materials and workmanship. For a period of two (2) years from date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser, we will repair or replace, at our option, without charge for parts or labor incurred in replacing parts, any part which we ???nd to be defective due to materials or workmanship. This Warranty is subject to the following limita- tions and exclusions.

1.This warranty does not apply to the engine or components parts thereof. Please refer to the applicable manu- facturer's warranty on these items.

2.Transportation charges for the movement of any power equipment unit or attachment are the responsibility of the purchaser. Transportation charges for any parts submitted for replacement under this warranty must be paid by the purchaser unless such return is requested by Electrolux Home Products.

3.The Warranty period for any products used for rental or commercial purposes is limited to 90 days from the date of original purchase.

4.This Warranty applies only to products which have been properly assembled, adjusted, operated, and maintained in accordance with the instructions furnished. This Warranty does not apply to any product which has been subjected to alteration, misuse, abuse, improper assembly or installation, delivery damage, or to normal wear of the product.

5.Exclusions: Excluded from this Warranty are belts, tines, tine adapters, normal wear, normal adjustments, stan- dard hardware and normal maintenance.

6.In the event you have a claim under this Warranty, you must return the product to an authorized service deal- er.

Should you have any unanswered questions concerning this Warranty, please contact:

giving the model number, serial number and date of purchase of your product and the name and address of the authorized dealer from whom it was purchased.

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES AND ANY IMPLIED

WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED TO THE SAME TIME PERIODS STATED HEREIN FOR OUR EXPRESSED WAR- RANTIES. Some areas do not allow the limitation of consequential damages or limitations of how long an implied Warranty may last, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This Warranty gives you speci???c legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from locale to locale.

This is a limited Warranty within the meaning of that term as de???ned in the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.

27

PARTS AND SERVICE

This product has been expertly engineered and carefully manufactured to rigid quality standards. As with all mechanical products, some adjustments or part replacement may be necessary during the life of your unit.

For Parts and service, contact our authorized distributor: call 1-800-849-1297

???For replacement parts, have available the following information:

a.Model Number/Manufacturer's I.D. Number

b.Description of part.

For Technical Assistance: call 1-800-829-5886

For a Parts Manual, go to our website: www.poulan-pro.com/support.asp

NOTE: Electrolux Home Products provides parts and service through its authorized distributors and dealers; therefore, all requests for parts and service should be directed to your local dealer(s). The philosophy of Electrolux Home Products is to continually improve all of its products. If the operating characteristics or the appearance of your product differs from those described in this Manual, please contact your local dealer for updated information and assistance.