WEN TC0714 14-Inch Electric Tiller

ELECTRIC TILLER SAFETY

1. GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI): Protection should be provided on the circuit or outlet to be used for the tiller/cultivator. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI protection and may be used.
2. DISCONNECT UNIT: Disconnect unit from the power supply when not in use or when servicing or cleaning. Do not leave unattended.
3. DON'T ABUSE CORD: Never carry this product by the cord or yank the cord to disconnect from the receptacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
4. USE RIGHT APPLIANCE: Do not use this product for any job except that for which it is intended.
5. DON'T OVERREACH: Guide the tiller/cultivator at a walking pace only. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
6. LIGHTING: Only operate your tiller/cultivator in daylight or good artificial light.
7. STORE IDLE UNIT INDOORS: When not in use, the tiller/cultivator should be stored indoors in a dry area out of children's reach.
8. MAINTAIN UNIT WITH CARE: Keep clean for best performance and to reduce the risk of injury. Inspect extension cord periodically and replace if damaged. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil.
9. POLARIZED PLUGS: To reduce the risk of electric shock, this product has a polarized plug. Polarized connections will fit together only one way. Make sure that the receptacle end of the extension cord has large and small blade slot widths. If the plug does not fit fully into extension cord, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, obtain a suitable extension cord. If the extension cord does not fit fully into the outlet, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the plug on the tool or the extension cord in any way.
10. Do not operate the tiller on a slope that is too steep for safe operation. When on slopes, slow down and make sure you have stable footing.
11. Before starting the tiller make sure the tines are not touching any object and are free to move.
12. Grip the guide bar firmly with both hands. Never operate the tiller/cultivator with one hand.
13. STAY ALERT: Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. Do not operate the tiller/cultivator when you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.
14. If the tiller strikes a foreign body, turn it off immediately, wait for the tines to stop and check for damage. If necessary, repair before restarting.

CAUTION! The electric tiller may bounce upward or jump forward if the tines strike extremely hard packed soil, frozen ground, or buried obstacles such as large stones, roots or stumps.

WARNING! Do not operate the tiller near underground electrical cables, telephone lines, pipes or hoses.

15. If the tiller starts to vibrate abnormally, turn it off immediately and check for the cause. Excessive vibration is generally a sign of a malfunction or damaged part.
16. Before carrying out any maintenance or repairs, always turn off the tiller/cultivator, disconnect from the power supply and wait until the tines come to a complete stop before carrying out any maintenance or repairs.

DANGER! RISK OF CUT - Wear gloves and use caution when cleaning or performing maintenance on the tiller/cultivator.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY WARNINGS

WARNING! Do not operate the power tool until you have read and understood the following instructions and the warning labels.

1. WATCH FOR CORD: Be aware of the extension cord while using the tiller. Make sure not to trip over the cord and keep it out of the path of the tiller. Always guide the cord away from the tool during operation.
2. KEEP AWAY FROM WATER: Do not expose the tiller to wet or rainy conditions. Never operate the tiller with wet hands. Either of these can increase the risk of shock, personal injury, or tool damage.

CAUTION! Tines do not stop immediately after the tiller/cultivator is turned off.

CAUTION! Risk of injury. Do not put hands, feet or any body part or clothing near the rotating tines.

CAUTION! The electrical cords on this product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

WARNING! Some dust and debris created by the use of this tool could contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• Chemicals in fertilizers.
• Compounds in insecticides and pesticides.
• Arsenic & chromium from treated lumber.

Your risk from exposure to these chemicals varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure, work in a well-ventilated area and with approved safety equipment such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

UNPACKING & PACKING LIST

With the help of a friend or trustworthy foe, such as one of your in-laws, carefully remove the electric tiller from the packaging and place it on a sturdy, flat surface. Make sure to take out all contents and accessories. Do not discard the packaging until everything is removed. Check the packing list below to make sure you have all of the parts and accessories. If any part is missing or broken, please contact customer service at 1-800-232-1195 (M-F 8-5 CST), or email techsupport@wenproducts.com.

Components:

• Motor Housing: The main body containing the motor.
• Handle Assembly: Includes Upper Handle, Center Handle, and two Lower Handles.
• Wheel Assembly: Includes Wheel Bracket, two Wheels, and two Hub Caps.
• Hardware & Tools: Includes Cable Clips (2) and Handle Knobs (4).

KNOW YOUR ELECTRIC TILLER

Tackle the toughest of yards and gardens with your WEN Electric Tiller. Refer to the following diagrams to become familiarized with all the parts and controls of your Electric Tiller. The components will be referred to later in the manual for assembly and operation instructions.

• Upper Handle: The top section of the handle assembly.
• Center Handle: The middle section of the handle assembly.
• Lower Handle: The bottom section of the handle assembly, connecting to the motor housing.
• Motor Housing: Contains the electric motor and drive components.
• Steel Tines: The rotating blades that till the soil.
• Tine Guard: Protects the user from the rotating tines.
• Wheel Bracket: Supports the wheels for mobility.
• Wheels: Allow the tiller to be moved when not in use.
• Safety Lock: A safety feature to prevent accidental starting.
• Trigger: Activates the motor when pressed with the safety lock.
• Cord Restraint Hook: Helps manage the power cord.
• Cord: The power cord connecting to the extension cord.
• Cord Hook: Another point for managing the power cord.
• Handle Knob: Used for securing handle sections.

ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS

ASSEMBLING THE HANDLE

1. Insert the lower handle section into the motor housing and fasten using two M4x16 screws.
2. Attach the center handle section to the lower handle sections with two M6x45 bolts and handle knobs.
3. Fasten the upper handle section to the center handle section using two M6x45 bolts and handle knobs.
4. Secure the cable along the handle tubes with the two supplied cable clips.

ASSEMBLING THE WHEELS

1. Remove M5x12 screws and washers from each side of the wheel frame. Insert wheels onto the axle of the wheel frame. Fasten wheels on the wheel frame with M5x12 screws and washers.
2. Press the two hub caps into each of the two wheels.
3. Attach the wheel frame to the motor guard using the M5x16 screw, washer, and lock knob.

BEFORE EACH USE:

1. Check the product, its power cord and plug, and any other accessories for damage. Do not use the product if it is damaged or shows wear.
2. Double check that the accessories and attachments are properly fitted.
3. Ensure that the handles are dry to ensure a secure grip. Always hold the product by its handles.
4. Ensure that the air vents are always unobstructed and clear. Blocked air vents may lead to overheating and damage the product.

CONNECTING TO POWER SUPPLY

NOTE: For safety reasons, this product is equipped with a short power cord. Do not connect the electric tiller directly to a power supply using this power cord. A proper extension cord is required for operation. Observe the technical requirements for this product when purchasing an extension cord.

WARNING! For your safety, it is required that the extension cord be rated for outdoor use, with all sockets protected against water splash. Always use a residual-current device (RCD) or residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) protected power supply.

WARNING! Check the voltage to ensure it complies with the information on the rating label.

CONNECTING THE EXTENSION CORD

1. Make sure that the power is OFF.
2. Select the correct extension cord using the chart on page 6.
3. Make a knot with the power cord and extension cord to secure the connection. This prevents accidental disconnection.

POWERING ON & OFF

WARNING! Rotating tines may cause serious injury. The tines will continue to turn for a few seconds after the tool has been switched OFF. Do not touch the rotating tines. Contact with hot components (i.e. motor housing, gear box, etc.) on the machine may cause burns. Allow the machine to cool before handling.

1. Connect the tiller to a working 120V outlet using a heavy-duty, outdoor rated extension cord.
2. To turn the tool ON, push and hold the safety lock button with your thumb and then squeeze the trigger switch with your fingers. Once the tool is running, release the safety lock button.
3. To switch OFF, release the trigger switch.

TILLING

1. Move tiller to desired work area prior to starting motor.
2. Remove wheels and wheel bracket by unscrewing the lock knob and removing the M5x16 bolt. Store the wheel support assembly to reassemble after use.
3. Connect to the power supply and hold the tiller firmly when starting. The tines will pull the tiller forward during operation.
4. To start the tiller, press the safety lock button and then pull the trigger lever up and against the handle bar. The motor will start and the tines will begin to rotate.
5. When finished with the tilling session, replace the wheel support assembly for ease of mobility and storage. Fasten the wheel support bar to the tine guard using the M5x16 bolt, washer, and lock knob.

NOTE: For breaking sod or deep tilling, allow the tines to pull the tiller forward to the end of your arm's reach, then firmly pull it back towards yourself. Best results will be achieved by repeatedly allowing the tiller to move forward and pulling it back.

NOTE: If tiller digs deep enough that it gets stuck, gently rock from side to side until it starts to move forward again.

CAUTION! Take extra precautions when moving backwards and when pulling the tiller back towards yourself to avoid tripping.

WARNING! Never pass the tiller over the extension cord. Make sure the cord is always in a safe position away from the tines.

CAUTION! When working on inclines, always stand diagonally to the incline to retain a firm, safe footing. Do not work on extremely steep slopes.

Tilling Patterns:

For preparing seed beds, we recommend using one of the following tilling patterns:

• Tilling Pattern A: Make two passes over the area to be tilled, the second perpendicular to the first.
• Tilling Pattern B: Make two passes over the area to be tilled, the second overlapping the first.

OPERATION NOTES

CAUTION! Before moving the tiller from one area to another, switch off the motor and wait for the tines to come to a complete stop. Be careful not to let the tines touch the ground while moving the tiller. The tines, as well as the unit itself, may be damaged even if the motor is switched off.

CLEARING FOREIGN OBJECTS

During operation, a stone or root could become lodged in the tines, or tall plants may become wrapped around the tine shaft. To clear the tines or tine shaft, release the trigger lever, wait for the tines to come to a complete stop, and unplug the tiller. Carefully dislodge or remove the foreign matter from the tines or tine shaft. To simplify removal of tall grass or weeds from the tine shaft, remove one or more of the tines.

NOTE: Always wear gloves when clearing the tines or tine shaft.

ROUTINE INSPECTION

Before each use, inspect the tool. If any of the following conditions exist, do not use until parts are replaced.

• Loose hardware or improper mounting
• Misalignment
• Cracked or broken parts
• Any other condition that may affect its safe operation

Once per season, lubricate the tines and shaft. At the end of the season, check the tiller for damage prior to storing. Repair or replace damaged or broken parts.

CLEANING

CAUTION! Always clean the tiller after each use. Failure to carry out proper cleaning can result in damage to the tiller or result in poor performance.

CAUTION! Never use a water hose to clean the tiller.

Clean the underside of the tine guard and motor housing around the tines using a scrubbing brush and a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap and water mixture.

To remove soil and debris from the transmission and tines, use a stiff brush or a dampened cloth.

Clean the vents on the motor housing and remove any remaining grass or dirt.

Once cleaned, wipe the tines and shaft dry and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust.

TINES REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Worn tines result in poor performance and can overload the motor.

WARNING! Injury can occur while working on the tines. Always wear protective gloves.

Check tines before each use. Sharpen or replace the tine assemblies with new ones when necessary. To remove a complete tine assembly from the shaft, remove the M8x40 hex head screw from the shaft. Pull off the tine assembly from the shaft. Follow the above steps in reverse to install tines.

STORAGE

Store this tool carefully in a secure, dry place, out of reach of children.

During extended periods of storage, ensure that the tool is protected against corrosion and frost.

At the end of the season, or if the tool is not being used for longer than a month, wipe over metal surfaces with an oil-covered cloth or spray a fine coat of oil to protect the tiller from corrosion.

Fold the handle bar down and store the tool in a suitable place.

PRODUCT DISPOSAL

Used power tools should not be disposed of together with household waste. If the product contains electrical components, they should be recycled. Please take this product to your local recycling facility for responsible disposal and to minimize its environmental impact.

Please recycle the packaging and electronic components where facilities exist. Please contact your local auto garage or recycling facility to properly dispose of oil/fuel.