IMPORTANT MANUAL DO NOT THROW AWAY OPERATOR'S MANUAL MODEL: VF550 WARNING: Read this Manual and follow all Warnings and Safety Instructions. Failure to do so can result in serious injury. FRONT TINE TILLER ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION DURING OPERATION Visit our website: www.poulan.com 532 43 99-79 12.21.10 CL Printed in the U.S.A.
SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Powered Rotary Tillers TRAINING • • • • • Read the Owner’s 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, particularly small children, and pets.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 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 Manual. Gasoline Capacity: 0.9 Quarts (0,85 L) Unleaded Regular Oil (API-SG-SL): (Capacity: 20 oz./0.6L) SAE 10w-30(Above 32°F/0°C) SAE 5w-30(Below 32°F/0°C) • Spark Plug: (Gap: .030"/0.
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 ensure proper tightness. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY UNPACK CARTON & INSTALL HANDLE (See Fig. 2 and 3) A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed.
ASSEMBLY TO INSTALL DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 4) • • • Remove screw(s) securing depth stake to skid and discard the screw(s). Slide depth stake down into transport arm track, lining up a hole in the depth stake with hole in transport arm. Install clevis pin and hairpin clip. DEPTH STAKE CLEVIS PIN HAIRPIN CLIP Fig. 4 TILLING WIDTH • Tilling width may be adjusted to better handle your tilling conditions (See “TINE ARRANGEMENT” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
OPERATION KNOW YOUR TILLER READ THIS 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. FORWARD TINE CONTROL PRIMER RECOIL STARTER HANDLE THROTTLE CONTROL DEPTH STAKE Fig.
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 TILLING The speed and depth of tilling is regulated by the position of the depth stake. The depth stake should always be below the wheels for digging.
OPERATION BEFORE STARTING ENGINE IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE TO HELP ENSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER STARTING. 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.
OPERATION BREAKING IN YOUR TILLER Break-in your belt(s), pulleys and tine control before you actually begin tilling. • Start engine, tip tines off ground by pressing handles down and engage tine control to start tine rotation. Allow tines to rotate for five minutes. TILLING HINTS 3 4 CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to handling your tiller, start actual field use with throttle in slow position. 5 To help tiller move forward, lift up the handles slightly (thus lifting depth stake out of ground).
FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE BE FO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE RE EA CH FIR US ST E 5H OU R EV S ER Y8 HO UR EV S ER Y2 5H OU EV RS ER OR Y5 0H AN NU O UR AN AL NU SO LY AL R LY AN NU AL LY MAINTENANCE SERVICE DATES Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil 3 1,2 Oil Pivot Points Inspect Spark Arrester / Muffler Clean Air Cooling System 2 Clean Air Filter 2 Replace Air Filter Clean Area Around Muffler And Controls Replace Spark Plug 1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy lo
MAINTENANCE Disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance (except carburetor adjustment) to prevent accidental starting of engine. Prevent fires! Keep the engine free of grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Remove fuel from tank before tipping unit for maintenance. Clean muffler area of all grass, dirt, and debris. Do not touch hot muffler or cylinder fins as contact may cause burns. ENGINE 3. Tip tiller on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container.
MAINTENANCE COOLING SYSTEM (See Fig. 15) SPARK PLUG Your engine is air cooled. For proper engine performance and long life keep your engine clean. • Remove blower housing and clean as necessary. • Keep cylinder fins free of dirt and chaff. TRANSMISSION Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each tilling season. Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” on page 3 of this manual. Your transmission is sealed and will not require lubrication unless serviced.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come into contact with plug. TILLER TO CHECK TINE OPERATION • TINE ARRANGEMENT • • Your outer tines can be assembled in several different ways to suit your tilling or cultivating needs. TO REMOVE CLUTCH HOUSING/ENGINE ASSEMBLY (SEE FIG. 19) CAUTION: Tines are sharp. Wear gloves or other protection when handling tines. • • NORMAL TILLING - 24" PATH (See Fig.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE V-BELT (SEE Fig. 20 - 22) • • • • • • Clutch housing/engine assembly must be removed to service belt. See "TO REMOVE CLUTCH HOUSINGIENGINE ASSEMBLY" in this section of manual. Using pliers, remove cable spring and return spring from pivot bracket. Remove plastic snap-in plug from clutch housing. Using pliers, depress conduit fitting tabs and pull conduit fitting through hole in clutch housing. Pull cable spring and cable through snap-in plug hole in clutch housing.
STORAGE OTHER 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. • • WARNING: Never store the tiller with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame 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).
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Out of fuel. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. Engine flooded. Dirty air cleaner. Water in fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Clogged fuel tank. Loose spark plug wire. 6. 7. 8. 9. Bad spark plug or improper gap. Carburetor out of adjustment. 8. 9. Fill fuel tank. See “TO START ENGINE” in the Operation section. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. Clean or replace air cleaner cartridge.
TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER VF550 (96082001501) DECALS 4 3 1 2 KEY PART NO. NO.
TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER VF550 (96082001501) ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TINES 4 5 2 1 3 2 6 7 9 5 7 10 8 11 12 18 19 13 14 15 20 16 17 21 25 13 23 22 30 30 24 28 5 5 29 27 31 26 29 engine-transmission-tines_1 18
TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER VF550 (96082001501) ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TINES KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Engine B & S Model No. 10T802-1390-BI Bolt Carriage 3/8 - 16 x 1 Nut Lock Flg 5/16 -18 unc Plug Snap In Nut Lock Flg 3/8 - 16 unc Shroud Till Clutch Screw 3/8 - 16 x 1-1/2 Sheave Upper Stud Belt Guard Bushing Pivot Spring Return Bracket Idler Bolt Hex 3/8 - 24 x 1 Belt Drive Pulley Idler Washer 13/32 x 7/8 x 16 Ga.
TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER VF550 (96082001501) HANDLE, WHEEL, AND DEPTH STAKE 2 3 1 24 7 5 8 4 6 9 23 13 21 19 5 10 10 14 15 22 18 5 11 23 20 17 12 16 18 17 17 Handles-Wheels-Depth Stake_1_r1.
TILLER - - MODEL NUMBER VF550 (96082001501) HANDLE, WHEEL, AND DEPTH STAKE KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Console Tiller Handle Grip Handle Assembly Handle Column Bolt 5/16 - 18 x 2.50 Knob Wing Lever Control Tine Retainer Ring Pin Pivot Handle Lower Plug Snap In Weldment Transport Arm Clip Hairpin Stake Depth Pin Clevis Bolt 3/8 - 16 x 1-1/4 Screw Hex Head 3/8 - 16 x 2.5 Nut Lock Flg 3/8 - 16 unc Bolt 5/16 - 18 x 4.
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.
