Weight—25 Lbs. • Transport Kit Standard Equipment "TO TILL & CULTIVATE IN ROCKY SOIL CONDITIONS SEE PAGE 11 FOR ALTERNATE TINE ASSEMBLY" IMPORTANT! 505 29 00-57 04.21.08 CL PRINTED IN U.S.A. IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE CONSUMER AND/OR OPERATOR This symbol of safety will be found throughout this manual alerting you SAFETY to the possibility of injury. Don't expose yourself or others to danger. SYMBOL Carefully read each message that follows the safety symbol. SAFETY RULES AND PRECAUTIONS As with any item of power equipment it is necessary that you learn and observe ALL safety precautions. This includes the care for the machine as well as personal safety. This machine is only as dangerous as the person who is operating it. DO NOT BE CARELESS! In the beginning you will be cautious. Don't allow yourself to become careless after you have gotten acquainted with the machine and its operation. DON'T EXPOSE YOURSELF OR OTHERS TO DANGER. After you have become acquainted with this machine and formed good operational habits, your proficiency will improve rapidly toward expert ability. NEVER allow children to operate this unit. NEVER allow adults to operate the equipment without proper instruction. Keep area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets. DON'T OVERLOOK THESE PRECAUTIONS, USE THEM! IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR WALK-BEHIND POWERED ROTARY TILLERS PREPARATION 1. Read the operating and service instruction 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. 2. THOROUGHLY INSPECT the area to be tilled or cultivated and remove all foreign objects. 3. DO NOT operate the machine without wearing adequate outer garments. Wear footwear which will improve footing on slippery surfaces and will resist penetration. 4. HANDLE FUEL WITH CARE, IT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. a) Use an approved fuel container. b) NEVER add fuel to a running engine or to a hot engine. c) Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill fuel tank indoors. d) Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled fuel before restarting. 5. Before starting engine, be sure that the throttle lever is released so that the centrifugal clutch is not engaged. 6. NEVER attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running (except when recommended). OPERATION 1. NEVER transport this machine when the engine is running. SHUT THE ENGINE OFF before transporting the machine. 2. DO NOT put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. 3. SHUT OFF ENGINE before crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic. 4. After striking a foreign object, STOP THE ENGINE. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage and repair the damage before restarting and operating. 5. EXERCISE CAUTION to avoid slipping or falling. 6. If the machine should start to vibrate abnormally, STOP THE ENGINE, disconnect the spark plug wire, and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble. 7. STOP THE ENGINE whenever you leave the operating position. Also disconnect the spark plug wire before unclogging the tines and when making any repairs, adjustments, and inspections. 8. Take all possible precautions when leaving the machine unattended. STOP THE ENGINE. 2 9. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, STOP THE ENGINE, make certain all moving parts have stopped, and disconnect the spark plug wire. 10. NEVER run engine indoors. Exhaust fumes contain Carbon Monoxide which is an ODORLESS and DEADLY POISONOUS GAS. 11. NEVER operate the Tiller/Cultivator without the proper guards, plates, or other safety protective devices in place. 12. KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY. 13. DO NOT overload the machine's capacity by attempting to till too deep at too fast a rate. 14. NEVER operate the Tiller/Cultivator at high transport speeds on slippery surfaces. Look behind and use care when backing. 15. NEVER allow bystanders near the Tiller/Cultivator. 16. NEVER operate this machine without good visibility or light. 17. DO NOT till or cultivate near underground electrical cables, telephone lines, pipes, or hoses. If in doubt about their location, contact your telephone or utility company to locate underground services. 18. BE AWARE that the Tiller/Cultivator could unexpectedly bounce upward, or jump forward if the tines should strike extremely hard packed soil, frozen ground, or buried obstacles such as large stones, roots or stumps. 19. DO NOT operate the Tiller/Cultivator on slopes that are too steep for safety. 20. USE ONLY attachments and accessories that are approved by Hoffco, Inc. 21. NEVER operate this machine when you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. 22. DO NOT touch engine parts which may be hot from operation. Allow parts to cool before inspecting, cleaning, or repairing this ma...