Troy-Bilt 7 Hp Horse Manual

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• With planning, you can allow enough room between rows 
to cultivate. Leave room for the hood width, plus enough 
extra room for future plant growth. See Fig. 4-14.
Tilling on Slopes
If you must garden on sloping ground, please follow two very 
important guidelines: 
1. Till only on moderate slopes, never on steep inclines 
where footing is difficult review the safety rules in the Safe 
Operation Practices section.
2. It is recommend that you till up and down slopes rather 
than terracing. Tilling...

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• Standing cornstalks of reasonable height can be power 
composted. See Fig. 4-17. Pushing over (but not uprooting) 
cornstalks will often make it easier for your tiller to chop 
up the stalks. Keep the tines clear of excessive tangling 
by “fishtailing” or frequently using reverse. Make several 
passes, then return a few days later to finish off any 
remaining stubble.
• After tilling under crop residues, add more organic 
matter such as leaves, grass clippings and even kitchen 
scraps. When tilled...

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Tilling Under Corn
After corn is harvested, the stalks should be tilled into the soil 
while still green. Dry plants are more difficult to till under, and 
the roots break loose too easily. 
NOTE: Do not pull the roots out by hand or cut the stalks before 
tilling. Stalks that are firmly anchored by their roots are much 
easier for the tines to chop, cut, and work under.
1. As you move forward into a row of stalks, aim the tiller 
so that the stalks go between the left wheel and the 
transmission...

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8. Then move the swing-out bolts out. See Fig. 4-21.
NOTE: Loosening swing-out bolts can be difficult. Use an 
extra-long wrench for leverage.
9. Tip the PTO power machine forward about one inch with 
one hand while pulling the tine attachment back. Fig. 4-22.
10. The guide pin on the power unit will slide out of the guide 
hole in the tine attachment See Fig. 4-23.
Installing the Tine Attachment
1. Move the two PTO Power Unit swingout bolts outward and 
slide the washers up against the bolt heads.
2....

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Moving the Tiller
When the engine is running, the tiller’s powered wheels make 
moving the tiller to and from the garden easy. If the engine is not 
running, set the Wheel Speed Lever to FREEWHEEL position to 
roll the tiller to another location.
WARNING! To help avoid personal injury from 
revolving tines, always put the Tines/PTO Clutch 
Lever in DISENGAGE position before transporting, 
loading, or unloading tiller.
1. Place the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever in DISENGAGE position.
2. Move the Depth...

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WARNING! Before inspecting, cleaning or 
servicing the tiller, shut off the engine and wait for 
all the parts to come to a complete stop. Disconnect 
the spark plug wire and move the wire away from 
the spark plug. Remove the ignition key on the 
electric start models. Failure to follow these 
instructions can result in serious personal injury or 
property damage.
Maintenance
Engine
Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual packed with your machine 
for all engine maintenance.
Tire Pressure
Check the air...

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Battery
WARNING! When removing the battery, always 
disconnect the negative (-) cable first followed by 
the positive (+) cable. Reverse this procedure when 
reinstalling the battery. 
The battery is sealed and is maintenance free. Acid levels cannot 
be checked.
• Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and 
free of corrosive build-up.
• After cleaning the battery and terminals, apply a light coat 
of petroleum jelly or grease to the terminals and cover both 
terminals with the rubber...

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Rear Bearing Cap Screws
• The three rear bearing cap screws are located under the 
depth regulator mounting bracket. If any are loose, it can 
cause an oil leak or drive shaft end play. See Fig. 6-3.
Housing Cover Bolts
• Check the five bolts securing the tiller housing cover to the 
left side of the transmission. Gear oil can leak from a loose 
housing cover. To reach the bolts, remove the left side tine 
holder. See Tine Replacement in the Service section.
Swing Bolts
• Check both of the swing-bolts...

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4. Use a 3⁄8” wrench to remove the oil level check plug on the 
left side of the transmission housing. See Fig. 6-6.
5. If the oil level is correct, oil will seep out of the check hole 
(allow extra time in cold weather). If it does, the level is fine 
and you should replace the check plug. If no oil seeps out 
add oil as demonstrated in the Adding Oil Section on the 
next page.
Tine Attachment Oil Level
NOTE: Two different gear oil checking procedures for the tine 
attachment transmission are...

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For dipsticks With ‘Check Cold’ Marking (Cold means 2 hours 
have passed since the tiller was used.)
1. Move the tiller to level ground. 
2. Pull the Depth Regulator Lever back, then push it down all 
the way (to engage its top notch).
3.  Place a sturdy support under the engine to prevent the 
tiller from tilting too far.
4. Now slide three pieces of 2” x 4” lumber underneath the 
drag bar — raising the drag bar about 4-1⁄2” above ground. 
This elevation allows an accurate “cold” gear oil reading ....