This story the Rototiller Saga may give you a laugh. We decided that it would be useful to purchase a rear tine Rototiller to work on our land. Thus we purchased one a week or so ago on a Friday before traveling to our land in Arkansas. We didn’t attempt to use it until the following Tuesday due to rainy weather and other errands. Then the saga began.
We got it off the trailer fine on Saturday and covered it with a tarp to protect it from the impending rain. So on Tuesday we uncovered it and I proceeded with the starting procedures. Turn on the gas. Set the choke. Move the speed level to rabbit. One easy pull and it was running just fine. I slipped it into the self-propelled forward gear and proceeded towards the woods where we would be using it. About 75 yards later going up an incline it died.
For the first of many many many times I attempted to restart it. I set the gas. I set the choke. I placed the throttle on rabbit. I pulled the rope several times with no effect. Thinking that perhaps I had flooded it I let it rest a while. on the next try it started, but only ran for a few seconds.
We decided to manually push and pull it the rest of the way up the hill and let it set for a time so that we could get on with our planting using dazes as we had on our last trip.
Throughout the day we would return to the same area, sit down and rest a bit. Then once again attempt to start the Rototiller. My wife would ask if I was doing it correctly. I must’ve showed her the proper procedure for or five times to make a point of how well I was doing it correctly. The gas switch is here. The joke is there. The throttle is on rabbit.
We gave up for the day and decided we might try again tomorrow. I am afraid to say, however, the next day we have no better experience. We gave up for the duration of the trip and manhandled the Rototiller back thehundred yards or so out of the woods down the hill and back to the trailer.
When we arrived home the following Saturday the world, the country, and our community were in the throes of the pandemic. It took us until Wednesday to load it up on the trailer and head back to the power equipment store where we purchased the Rototiller.
When we arrived the gentleman from the store came out to see just what the problem was. We were seriously considering trading it in on a big chainsaw. He started to start the machine when I said “Wait, let me tell you what has happened. That is to say, my experience with this machine so far.” I’m not sure I know how to express the negative tone of my voice.
As I was completing my diatribe the mechanic who had showed me the correct method to start the machine arrived on the scene. He proceeded to set the throttle. Set the rabbit, and set the gas.
“Wait,” l exclaimed. “ that’s the off position!”
“No,” He replied, pulling the cord and firing up the motor!
It kept running and running and running.
There is a reason I score off the chart on intuition and zero on sensing on the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator.
And that my friends is the rotortiller saga