EarthQuake 3100 User manual

Front Tine Rototiller

Operator’s Manual

Includes Models

3100, 3200, 3365

Badger Series

Operating Position

OM3100

Rev. 01/28/04

Transport Position

ARDISAM

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

MODEL IDENTIFICATION ............................................. 3

WARRANTY ................................................................... 4

SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 5

Owner's Responsibility ................................................ 5

General ....................................................................... 5

Preparation .................................................................. 5

Operation .................................................................... 6

Maintenance and Storage ........................................... 6

Safety Decals .............................................................. 7

FEATURES .................................................................... 8

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY ..................................... 9

Unpack Tiller ............................................................... 9

Install the Depth Regulator Lever .............................. 10

Fill Engine Crankcase ............................................... 10

CONTROLS ................................................................. 11

Drive Safety Control Lever ......................................... 11

ADJUSTMENTS .......................................................... 12

Belt Tension Adjustment ............................................ 12

Depth Regulator Lever ............................................... 12

OPERATION ................................................................. 13

Pre-Start Inspection ................................................... 13

Start-up ..................................................................... 13

Shutting Down ........................................................... 14

Tilling ......................................................................... 14

NORMAL CARE ........................................................... 15

Schedule ................................................................... 15

Servicing The Rototiller .............................................. 17

STORAGE ..................................................................... 18

Prepare For Storage ................................................... 18

TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR ............................ 19

Troubleshooting Guide ................................................ 19

Parts Listings ............................................................ 20

Notes ......................................................................... 23

ROTOTILLER REFERENCE DATA

Model Description/Number

M/N (Manufacturer's Number) S/N (Serial Number)

Dealer Name Date Purchased

ENGINE REFERENCE DATA

Engine Make/Model Engine ID/Serial Number

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

Record your model number, manufacturer number and

serial number in the space provided for easy reference.

The model and manufacturer numbers can be found on

the unit I.D. plate located on the unit’s left engine mount.

Refer to the Engine Owner’s Manual for location of engine

serial number.

You must read, understand and comply with all

safety and operating instructions in this manual

before attempting to setup and operate your

rototiller.

Failure to comply with all safety and operating

instructions can result in loss of machine control,

serious personal injury to you and/or bystanders,

and risk of equipment and property damage. The

triangle in the text signifies important cautions or

warnings which must be followed.

Engine exhaust from this product contains

chemicals known, in certain quantities, to cause

cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

WARNING

ARDISAM

WARRANTY

Thank You . . .

for purchasing an Earthquake

Badger

™

front tine rototiller. We guarantee that this front tine rototiller

conforms to applicable North American safety standards, and have worked to ensure that it will meet your

exacting standards for usability and durability. With proper care, your rototiller will provide many years of

service.

Please take time to read this manual carefully to learn how to operate and service your rototiller

correctly. Failure to do so could result in personal injury or equipment damage. This manual should be

considered a permanent part of your rototiller. Congratulations on your investment in quality.

ONE YEAR

LIMITED WARRANTY

The Ardisam, Inc., Manufacturing Company warrants this rototiller to be free from defects in material or workmanship.

Conditions of this warranty include:

What is covered under warranty:

For the first year from the date of purchase, Ardisam will furnish 100% parts and labor to correct any defect caused

by faulty material or workmanship. All repairs made under warranty must have prior approval from Ardisam, Inc.

Items subject to normal wear and tear, such as belts, batteries, tines, shear bolts and tires, due to the nature of their

function are not covered under this warranty. Any unit used in a commercial application is covered for a period of 90

days after purchase. The engine is covered under a separate warranty issued by the engine manufacturer as stated

in the engine manual.

What is not covered under warranty:

This warranty applies only to products which have not been repaired or altered outside our factory. It covers only

defects resulting from normal use, and does not cover defects arising from misuse, alteration, negligence, or accident.

This warranty applies only to the original purchaser, and is not transferrable.

This warranty supersedes all other warranties either expressed or implied and all other obligations or liabilities

on our part. Ardisam, Inc., does not assume, and does not authorize any other person to assume for us, any

liability in connection with the sale of our products. This guarantee is void unless the warranty card is properly

filled out and returned to Ardisam, Inc., Cumberland, Wisconsin, within two weeks of the purchase date.

ARDISAM

ARDISAM, INC.

1690 Elm Street; P.O. Box 666

Cumberland, Wisconsin 5 829

Phone (715) 822-2 15 Fax (715) 822- 180

1-800-345-6007

www.ardisam.com

ARDISAM

SAFETY RULES

OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Safe and effective use of the rototiller is the owner's

responsibility.

1. Read and follow all safety instructions.

2. Maintain the tiller according to directions and schedule

included.

3. Ensure that anyone who uses the tiller is familiar with

all controls and safety precautions.

GENERAL

The Safety Alert symbol shown here is used to

alert you to important safety information that must

be read, fully understood, and followed at all times when

handling, transporting, operating, servicing, or storing

your rototiller unit.

Each safety alert symbol is followed by a "signal word"

that advised you of the relative intensity, or level, of the

hazard the safety alert instructions pertain to.

The following list of signal words is being provided to help

you understand the intensity levels associated with each

signal word used in this manual.

•CAREFULLY READ THIS MANUAL AND FOLLOW

ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

• Be familiar with all controls before operating the tiller.

Your tiller is equipped with a safety device that enables

you to stop the tines quickly in an emergency. Learn

how the drive safety control lever works and how to

control the tiller at all times.

• Never allow children to operate the tiller. Keep small

children away from the area being tilled. Do not allow

adults to operate the tiller without proper instruction.

• Do not operate the tiller under the influence of alchohol

or drugs.

PREPARATION

• Dress appropriately when operating the tiller. Always

wear sturdy footwear. Never wear sandals, sneakers,

or open shoes, and never operate the tiller with bare

feet. Do not wear loose clothing that might get caught

in moving parts.

• Carefully inspect the area to be tilled, and remove all

foreign objects. Do not till above underground water

lines, gas lines, electric cables, or pipes. Do not

operate the tiller in soil with large rocks and foreign

objects which can damage the equipment.

• Disengage drive safety control lever before starting the

engine.

• Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.

a. Use an approved fuel container.

b. Never add fuel to a running engine or 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.

• Never attempt to make any adjustments while the

engine is running.

Provides helpful information for proper assembly,

operation, or maintenance of your rototiller.

The signal word "DANGER" is used when a serious

injury or fatality will result if the safety instructions

that follow this signal word are not obeyed.

DANGER

The signal word "WARNING" is used when a serious

injury or fatality could result if the safety

instructions that follow this signal word are not

obeyed.

WARNING

The signal word "CAUTION" is used when personal

injury, or property or equipment damage could

result if the safety instructions that follow this signal

word are not obeyed.

CAUTION

Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You must

add engine oil before starting engine.

ARDISAM

SAFETY RULES

OPERATION

• Never operate the tiller without guards, covers, and

hoods in place.

• Keep hands, feet, and clothing away from rotating

parts. Keep clear of tiller tines at all times.

• Tines rotate when tiller is engaged in forward-- in

forward, tines rotate when the drive safety control

lever is pulled down. Releasing the drive safety

control lever to neutral stops the tines.

• Exercise extreme caution when operating on or

crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads. Stay alert for

hidden hazards or traffic.

• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove

the wire from the spark plug and secure, thoroughly

inspect the tiller for any damage, and repair the

damage before restarting and operating the tiller.

• If vegetation clogs the tines, STOP THE ENGINE

AND DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE

before removing vegetation by hand.

• Engine muffler will be hot from operation. Do not

touch it with bare skin or a severe burn may result.

• If the unit should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the

engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration

is generally a warning of trouble.

• Do not run the engine indoors; exhaust fumes are

dangerous.

• Do not overload the machine capacity by attempting

to till too deep at too fast a rate.

• Never allow bystanders near the unit.

• Never operate the tiller without good visibility or light.

• Take all possible precautions when leaving the

machine unattended. Disengage drive control lever,

stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and

make certain guards and shields are in place.

• When leaving the operating position for any reason:

- shut off the engine.

- wait for all moving parts to stop.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

• Keep machine, attachments, and accessories in safe

working condition.

• Check shear bolts, engine mounting bolts, and other

bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be

sure the equipment is in safe working condition.

• To prevent accidental starting, always disconnect the

spark plug wire from the spark plug before performing

tiller maintenance.

• Never run the engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are

deadly.

• Always allow muffler to cool before filling fuel tank.

• Never store equipment with gasoline in the tank inside

a closed building where fumes may reach an open

flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing

in any building.

• Always refer to the operator's guide instructions for

important details if the tiller is to be stored for an

extended period.

ARDISAM

SAFETY RULES

SAFETY DECALS

This rototiller unit has been designed and manufactured to provide you with the safety and reliability you would expect

from an industry leader in outdoor power equipment manufacturing.

Although reading this manual and the safety instructions it contains will provide you with the necessary basic

knowledge to operated this equipment safely and effectively, we have placed several safety labels on the tiller to remind

you of this important information while you are operating the unit.

These important safety labels are illustrated below, and are shown here to help familiarize you with the location and

content of the safety messages you will see as you perform normal tilling operations. Please review these labels now,

and if you have any questions regarding their meaning or how to comply with these instructions, reread the complete

safety instruction text on the preceding pages, or contact your local dealer.

Should any of these labels become unreadable because of being worn, faded, or otherwise damaged during the use of

your tiller, please use the part number information provided to order a replacement label from your local authorized

dealer.

These labels are easily applied, and will act as a constant visual reminder to you, and others who may use the

equipment, to follow the safety instructions necessary for safe, effective operation of your rototiller.

Part No. LBL3100D

CLUTCH ENGAGE

Handlebar Decal

Part No. LBL516C

WARNING

Belt Cover Decal

Part No. LBL3100H

WARNING

Pivot Mount Decal

Part #: LBL3100H

Size: 2.50 w x 1.23 h

.0625 Corner Radius

1000 decals per roll

Colors: ANSI Oran

e, Black, White

Part No. LBL3100C

TINES DANGER/OPERATION

Hood Decal

Part No. LBL821B

HOOD WARNING

Hood Decal

ARDISAM

FEATURES

drive safety control lever

forward cable

belt guard

The advantage of the EARTHQUAKE

BADGER

gear drive rototiller over other front tine

tillers, is the exclusive unfolding and flexible drag bar. This gives the Earthquake

Badger

gear drive tiller its stability and its versatility. For easy transport, fold the wheels under the

engine. During operation, the wheels unfold back and the drag bar folds down. The long length

between the tines and the drag bar make this the most comfortable front tine tiller on the

market.

Transport Position Operating Position

3-way adjustable tine widths

hand knob

ARDISAM

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY

UNPACK TILLER

1. Open top of carton and remove handlebar assembly.

2. Find parts packet. Parts packet contains:

6- 5/16-18 x 1-3/4” bolts

6- 5/16” spring lockwashers

2- hand knobs

4- locknuts

2- 1/2” push nuts

1- detent pin

3. Cut open end of carton and remove machine:

a. Install wheels on each end of axle, tap on push nuts

with a hammer.

b. Assemble tines to unit, inside tines first. Sharp edge

of tine will be away from operator at top or face down

at front of machine.

c. Outside tines have two positions- wide 21” & narrow

16”. For narrow width - assemble with short side of

tine holder pipe towards center of machine.

d. For wide width - move left tine to right side and right

to left side. Assemble with long half of tine pipe

towards machine.

e. Slide top handle of handlebar over lower loop. Put

5/16-18 x 1-3/4” bolts thru both holes from inside

out, put on 5/16” spring lockwashers and tighten with

hand knobs.

f. Check upper and lower jam nuts for tightness. See

page 12, Belt Tension Adjustment.

g. Add and check engine oil.

The right and left sides of your

rototiller are determined from

the operating position as you

face the direction of forward

travel.

Narrow Tine Wi th

Wi e Tine Wi th

hand knob

lower

handlebar

loop

upper

handlebar

Do not try to lift the rototiller from the carton.

CAUTION

ARDISAM

UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY

INSTALL THE DEPTH REGULATOR

LEVER

1. Install the depth regulator lever through hole in bracket

from the bottom up with curve to rear of unit and

secure with detent pin.

FILL ENGINE CRANKCASE

1. Add oil according to engine manual. Do not overfill.

Use a clean, high quality detergent oil. Container must

be marked A.P.I. Service SF - SJ. Use no special

additives with recommended oils. Do not mix oil with

gasoline. Oil level must be full. Check the oil level by

removing the oil fill plug. Oil level should be up to the

bottom of the fill plug opening.

2. Always check oil level before starting engine. Refer to

engine manual for capacity and type of oil to use.

depth

regulator

lever

detent pin

Engine is shipped from factory without oil. You

must add engine oil before starting engine.

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