TROY-BILT TB146 EC (01) PDF Document

The applications for the TROY-BILT TB146 EC include:

• Cultivating sod and light to medium soil
• Cultivating in garden areas, around trees, etc.
• Edging

Use a high-quality SAE 30 weight oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SJ for the TROY-BILT TB146 EC. DO NOT use dirty oil. Failure to use clean oil of the correct type can cause premature engine wear and failure.

To add oil for initial use on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Unscrew the top of the oil bottle. Remove the paper seal. Reinstall the top of the oil bottle.
2. Remove the cap from the oil bottle. Cut the tip off the funnel spout.
3. Set the unit on a flat, level surface.
4. Unscrew the oil fill plug.
5. Pour the entire bottle into the oil fill hole. DO NOT overfill. Refer to Checking the Oil Level. Never add oil directly to the fuel tank. This unit has a four-cycle engine. DO NOT mix oil with gasoline.
6. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
7. Reinstall the oil fill plug. Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug. Save the empty oil bottle for measuring the correct amount of oil during future oil changes.

The TROY-BILT TB146 EC should use only fresh, clean unleaded gasoline. Use fresh fuel (less than 30 days old). DO NOT USE E85 FUEL IN THIS UNIT, as fuel containing greater than 10% ethanol will likely damage this engine and void the warranty.

To fuel the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Position the unit with the fuel cap facing up.
2. Remove the fuel cap.
3. Place the fuel container spout into the fill hole on the fuel tank and fill the tank. DO NOT overfill the tank.
4. Wipe up any fuel that may have spilled.
5. Reinstall the fuel cap.
6. Move the unit at least 30 ft. (9.1 m) from the fuel container and the fueling site before starting the engine.

To install the wheel assembly on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC, wear heavy gloves and a long sleeve shirt:

1. Insert the wheel assembly into the wheel bracket. The “J” shape of the wheel assembly should point away from the unit.
2. Align the hole in the wheel bracket with the desired hole in the wheel assembly.
3. Insert the clevis pin through the aligned holes.
4. Insert the cotter pin into the clevis pin.

To adjust the wheel assembly height on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Remove the cotter pin from the clevis pin.
2. Remove the clevis pin from the wheel bracket and wheel assembly.
3. Align the hole in the wheel bracket with the desired hole in the wheel assembly. Moving the wheel assembly down will raise the wheel height. Moving the wheel assembly up will lower the wheel height.
4. Insert the clevis pin through the aligned holes.
5. Insert the cotter pin into the clevis pin.

To position the handlebars on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Loosen the two knobs on the inside of the handlebars.
2. With the unit upright, swing the handlebars up into the operating position. Take care not to pinch the throttle cable or switch wires when positioning the handlebar.
3. Tighten the knobs to secure the handlebars in place. Do not over-tighten the knobs.

To start the TROY-BILT TB146 EC using the recoil starter:

WARNING: Tines WILL ROTATE when STARTING. Always stand in starting position with foot on wheel when starting the unit.

1. Check the oil level.
2. Fill the fuel tank. The On/Off switch is in the ON (1) position at all times.
3. IF COLD (below 40°F): Flip the Red Cold Weather Start Lever back to the closed position and continue to step 3. DO NOT flip this lever back if the temperature is above 40°F.
4. Slowly press and release the primer bulb 10 times. If fuel cannot be seen in the primer bulb, press and release the primer bulb until fuel is visible. Make sure to always have the unit tilted back slightly to bring the tines off the ground when starting. DO NOT squeeze the throttle control until step 6.
5. Hold the handlebar with one hand and grab the starter rope with the other hand, do not squeeze the throttle control (Using one foot to hold down the cultivator). Pull the starter rope in a controlled motion until the unit starts.
6. IF COLD (below 40°F): Flip the Cold Weather Start Lever forward to the open position after the unit has started and before squeezing the throttle control.
7. Once the unit starts, wait 60 seconds.
8. Squeezing the throttle control for an additional 30 to 60 seconds to let the engine warm up. The unit may be used during this time.
9. IF the engine does not start, go back to step 3.
10. IF the engine stops while squeezing the throttle, go back to step 4.
11. IF the engine is hot, go back to step 3.

To start the TROY-BILT TB146 EC using an optional electric starter or Power Bit Start accessory:

1. Check the oil level.
2. Fill the fuel tank. The On/Off switch is in the ON (1) position at all times.
3. IF COLD (below 40°F): Flip the Red Cold Weather Start Lever down to the start/closed position and continue to step 3. DO NOT flip this lever down if the temperature is above 40°F.
4. Slowly press and release the primer bulb 10 times. If fuel cannot be seen in the primer bulb, press and release the primer bulb until fuel is visible. Make sure to always have the unit tilted back slightly to bring the tines off the ground when starting.
5. Hold the handlebar with one hand. Place the Plug-In Power Start or Power Bit Start into the back of the unit. Do not squeeze the throttle control, press and hold the Plug-In Power Start or drill’s ON (1) button for 2 second intervals until unit starts.
6. Once the unit starts, remove the Plug-In Power Start or drill from the rear of the unit and wait 60 seconds.
7. IF COLD (below 40°F): Flip the Red Cold Weather Start Lever forward to the open position after the unit has started and before squeezing the throttle control.
8. Squeezing the throttle control for an additional 30 to 60 seconds to let the engine warm up. The unit may be used during this time.
9. IF the engine does not start, go back to step 3.
10. IF the engine stops while squeezing the throttle, go back to step 4.
11. IF the engine is hot, go back to step 3.

To stop the TROY-BILT TB146 EC using the recoil starter:

1. Release the throttle control and allow the engine to idle.
2. Press and hold the On/Off switch in the OFF (O) position until the engine comes to a complete stop.

Operating tips for the TROY-BILT TB146 EC include:

1. Dress properly to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Wear eye and ear/hearing protection. Wear heavy long pants, boots and gloves. Do not wear short pants, sandals or operate barefoot.
2. Move the cultivator to the work area prior to starting the engine. Transport the cultivator by pushing or pulling it along on its wheels.
3. Start the unit by following the Starting Instructions.
4. With the engine running and the tines off the ground, depress the throttle control to increase the engine speed.
5. While holding the upper handle with both hands, slowly lower the cultivator until the tines make contact with the ground.
6. As cultivating action begins, tilt the cultivator up slightly using the handle so that the tines can penetrate the ground.
7. Once the ground has been broken, continue at a moderate pace.
8. If the tines are digging too deep or not deep enough, adjust the wheel bracket as described in Adjusting Tine Depth.

The tines should penetrate most garden soils approximately 5 to 6 inches. If necessary, adjust the tines as follows on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the spark plug wire firmly and pull the cap from the spark plug.
2. Raise the wheel height for shallower tine penetration or lower the wheel height for deeper tine penetration. Refer to Adjusting the Wheel Assembly in the Assembly Instructions section.
3. Reconnect the spark plug wire and continue use.

To transport the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Stop the engine.
2. Tilt the unit back until the tines clear the ground.
3. Push or pull the unit to the next location to be cultivated.

The maintenance schedule for the TROY-BILT TB146 EC is as follows:

To clean and re-oil the air filter on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Open the air filter cover by unscrewing the cover screw.
2. Remove the air filter from inside the air filter housing.
3. Wash the air filter in detergent and water. Rinse the air filter thoroughly and allow it to dry.
4. Lightly coat the air filter with clean SAE 30 oil.
5. Squeeze the air filter to spread and remove excess oil.
6. Reinstall the air filter inside the air filter housing. Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter cover will VOID the warranty.
7. Insert the hooks on the air filter housing into the slots on the air filter cover.
8. Swing the air filter cover to the left and align the cover screw with the cover screw hole. Tighten the cover screw to secure the air filter cover. Do not over tighten as this may strip the screw.

If the engine on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC still will not idle after checking the fuel and cleaning the air filter, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:

1. Start the engine.
2. Release the throttle control and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, use a small Phillips screwdriver to turn the idle speed screw clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.
3. If the engine is idling too quickly, turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) to reduce the idle speed.

If the engine will not idle, hesitates or stalls on acceleration, or there is a loss of engine power after these adjustments, take the unit to a qualified service dealer.

To check the oil level on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
2. Set the unit on a flat, level surface. Position the unit so that the engine is horizontal. Failure to keep the engine level may cause the oil to overfill.
3. Clean the area around the oil fill plug to prevent debris from entering the oil fill hole.
4. Unscrew the oil fill plug.
5. Look into the oil fill hole; use a flashlight if necessary. The oil level should just touch the bottom thread of the oil fill hole. If the oil level is too low, add oil to the oil fill hole until the oil level touches the bottom thread of the oil fill hole. DO NOT overfill the crankcase.
6. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
7. Reinstall the oil fill plug. Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug.

Change the oil while the engine is still warm, so the oil will flow freely and carry away more impurities on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Clean the area around the oil fill plug to prevent debris from entering the oil fill hole.
2. Unscrew the oil fill plug.
3. Tip the unit vertically to pour the oil out of the oil fill hole and into a container. Allow ample time for complete drainage. Dispose of the old oil according to federal, state and local regulations.
4. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
5. Pour 3.04 fl.oz. (90 ml) of SAE 30 SJ oil into the oil fill hole. DO NOT overfill. Refer to Checking the Oil Level. Use the empty oil bottle saved from the initial use to measure the correct amount of oil. Fill the bottle to the top of the label to approximate 3.04 fl.oz. (90 ml) of oil.
6. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
7. Reinstall the oil fill plug. Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug.

The engine must be cold when checking or adjusting the rocker arm clearance on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC. This task should be performed inside, in a clean, dust-free area:

1. Remove the 6 screws from the engine cover with a flat-head screwdriver or T-25 Torx screwdriver. Remove the engine cover.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire.
3. Clean the area around the spark plug.
4. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder with a 5/8 in. socket, turning counterclockwise.
5. Clean the rocker arm cover.
6. Remove the screw from the rocker arm cover with a flat-head screwdriver or T-25 Torx screwdriver. Remove the rocker arm cover and gasket.
7. Look into the spark plug hole and pull the starter rope slowly to move the piston. Make sure: The piston is at the top of its travel (top dead center) and both rocker arms move freely and both valves are closed. If these statements are not true, repeat this step.
8. Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance between one of the valve stems and its corresponding rocker arm. Repeat this process for the other valve stem and rocker arm. The recommended clearance is 0.003 -0.006 in. (0.076 -0.152 mm). The feeler gauge should slide between the rocker arm and valve stem with a slight amount of resistance, without binding.
9. If the clearance is not within specification: Turn the adjusting nut with a 5/16 inch (8 mm) wrench or nut driver. To increase clearance, turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise. To decrease clearance, turn the adjusting nut clockwise. Recheck both clearances and adjust as necessary.
10. Install a new gasket and reinstall the rocker arm cover. Torque the screw to: 20-30 in lb (2.2-3.4 N•m).
11. Inspect and reinstall the spark plug.
12. Reconnect the spark plug wire.
13. Reinstall the engine cover. Check the alignment of the engine cover before tightening the screws. Tighten the screws.

To maintain the spark plug on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
2. Remove the 6 screws from the engine cover with a flat-head screwdriver or T-25 Torx screwdriver. Remove the engine cover.
3. Grasp the spark plug boot firmly and pull it from the spark plug.
4. Clean around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head with a 5/8-inch socket, turning counterclockwise. Do not sand blast, scrape or clean spark plug electrodes. Grit in the engine could damage the cylinder.
5. Inspect the spark plug. If the spark plug is cracked, fouled or dirty, replace it with a replacement part #753-05784, a Champion RDZ4H or an equivalent spark plug.
6. Use a feeler gauge to set the air gap at 0.025 in. (0.635 mm).
7. Install the spark plug in the cylinder head. Tighten the spark plug with a 5/8-inch socket, turning it clockwise until snug. If using a torque wrench, torque to: 110-120 in. lb. (12.3-13.5 N•m). Do not over tighten.
8. Reattach the spark plug boot.
9. Reinstall the engine cover. Check the alignment of the engine cover before tightening the screws. Tighten the screws.

To clean the TROY-BILT TB146 EC, use a small brush to clean the outside of the unit. Do not use strong detergents. Household cleaners that contain aromatic oils such as pine and lemon, and solvents such as kerosene, can damage plastic. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth.

For long-term storage of the TROY-BILT TB146 EC:

1. Remove the fuel cap, tip the unit and drain the fuel into an approved container.
2. Start the engine and allow it to run until it stalls. This ensures that all fuel has been drained from the carburetor.
3. Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 5 drops of any high quality motor oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug.
4. Thoroughly clean the unit and check for any loose or damaged parts. Repair or replace damaged parts and tighten loose screws, nuts or bolts.

The specifications for the TROY-BILT TB146 EC are:

If the TROY-BILT TB146 EC engine will not start, idle or accelerate, check the following troubleshooting steps:

If the TROY-BILT TB146 EC engine lacks power or stalls when cutting, check the following troubleshooting steps:

If the engine on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC is hot, go back to Step 9 of the Starting Instructions (which is to release the throttle control and allow the engine to idle, then press and hold the On/Off switch in the OFF (O) position until the engine comes to a complete stop).

To remove and replace tines on the TROY-BILT TB146 EC, always wear heavy gloves:

WARNING: To prevent serious personal injury, always wear heavy gloves when handling the tines.

Removal and Replacement:

1. Make sure the unit is off.
2. Remove the retainer from the clevis pin that is between the 2 outer tines.
3. Remove the clevis pin and slide the tines off of the shaft.
4. Clean and oil the shaft.
5. Slide on the new tines with the hubs facing each other. Make sure the single tine goes on the tine shaft first with the double tines on the outside and holes on the outer tines are aligned with the outer hole on the shaft.
6. Secure the new tines to the shaft by sliding the clevis pin into the holes between the 2 outer tines.
7. Insert the retainer into the clevis pin to secure the tines.
8. Repeat step 2 through 7 for the opposite side.

To prepare the TROY-BILT TB146 EC for use after long-term storage:

1. Remove the spark plug and drain all of the oil from the cylinder.
2. Change the oil. Refer to Changing the Oil. Do not use fuel that has been stored for more than 30 days. Dispose of old fuel and oil according to federal, state and local regulations.