Tiller
From Miller Farm
We have a great old tiller at Miller Farm. As of Summer 2006 there are two tillers in the bike shed; only the one with the manual pull start (i.e., the one without the battery) actually works. Here are most of the controls and other things you'll need to know to operate the tiller:
| Table of contents |
[edit]
Starting
It's best to start the tiller with two people: one to hold the clutch in "neutral" and one to pull the start cord. The clutch has a tendency the pop into reverse of its own accord, which is both annoying and dangerous.
- Make sure gas tank has something in it (preferably gas). The tiller runs on regular gas; no gas/oil mixtures (like you might use for a two stroke engine), just straight gas from the gas station. If you get gas from the bike shed, make sure it isn't labeled "chain saw" (or with the brand name of one of our chain saws), as this is probably a mixture of oil and gas.
- There's a small screw valve under the gas tank. Make sure it's open (turned all the way counterclockwise).
- Put the choke in the ON position.
- With another person holding the clutch lever in the center, "neutral" position, pull the start cord a number of times until the engine picks up.
- Flip the choke up all the way (so that it no longer says ON).
[edit]
Troubleshooting
Tiller won't start? Here are a few things to try:
- Really make sure there's gas in it.
- If the engine is even slightly warm (sometimes just the sun will suffice), try setting the choke half way on before pulling the start cord. Sometimes having it all the way on makes the gas mixture too strong, even for starting.
- Try removing and cleaning (or replacing) the spark plug. This is a common site of trouble and should be attended regularly.
[edit]
Operating
- It's difficult to shift back into neutral, especially when when the lever is in the "forward" (downward) position. Give it a good tug upward. You might break the lever, but that's alright. It can easily be welded back together (We have our own welder, or Mike's Welding up by the post office is good).
- Shift into neutral before changing gears.
[edit]
Maintenance
[edit]
