Cub Cadet 390 User Manual

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Front Tine Tiller — Model Series 390

IMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-

covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law
(Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester
for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland,
Ohio 44136-0019.

FORM NO. 769-02926

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

CUB CADET, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

10/27/ 2006

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new tiller. It will help you assemble,

prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Table of Contents

Safety Labels ...................................................... 3

Safe Operation Practices ................................... 4

Assembly ............................................................. 6

Operating Your Tiller ........................................... 8

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFORE YOU BEGIN ASSEMBLING YOUR NEW
EQUIPMENT, please locate the model plate on the equipment
and copy the information to the sample model plate provided
to the right. You can locate the model plate by looking at
the rear of the tine shield. This information is important for
use when visiting the manufacturer’s web site, obtaining
assistance from the Customer Support Department, or when
communicating with an authorized service dealer.

Maintaining Your Tiller ...................................... 12

Trouble Shooting .............................................. 15

Parts List ........................................................... 16

Warranty .............................................Back Cover

Model Number Serial Number

Customer Support

Please do

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of this
unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

• Visit mtdproducts.com.

• Call a Customer Support Representative at 1-800-800-7310.

• The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifica­tions, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with
your unit, for more information.

NOT

return the unit to the retailer from which it was

2

Safety Labels Found On Your Tiller

1

Safety

Labels

WARNING

DO NOT remove safety
(or any) labels from
tiller for any reason.

3

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

2

Safe

Operation

Practices

WARNING

This symbol points out
important safety in­structions which, if not
followed, could endanger
the personal safety and /or
property of yourself and
others. Read and follow all
instructions in this manual
before attempting to oper­ate this machine. Failure
to comply with these
instructions may result in
personal injury. When you
see this symbol, HEED

ITS WARNING!

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation
in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of
the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and
feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.

Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine

Training

Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the

•
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.

Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.

•
Know how to stop the machine.

Never allow children under 14 years old to operate

•
this machine. Children 14 years old and over should
read and understand the operation instructions and
safety rules in this manual and should be trained and
supervised by a parent.

Never allow adults to operate this machine without

•
proper instruction.

Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least

•
75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.

Preparation

Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is

•
to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, and other
foreign objects which could be tripped over and cause
personal injury.

Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close

•
fitting slacks and shirt. Loose fitting clothes or jewelry
can be caught in movable parts. Never operate this
machine in bare feet or sandals.

Disengage clutch levers and shift (if provided) into

•
neutral (“N” ) before starting the engine.

Never leave this machine unattended with the engine

•
running.

Never attempt to make any adjustments while engine

•
is running, except where specifically recommended in
the operator’s manual.

To avoid personal injury or property damage use

•
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

Use only an approved gasoline container.

•

Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other

•
sources of ignition.

Never fuel machine indoors.

•

•
is hot or running.

Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before

•
refueling

Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½

•
inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for
fuel expansion.

Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

•

If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and

•
equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait five
minutes before starting the engine.

Never store the machine or fuel container inside

•
near an open flame, spark or pilot light (e.g. furnace,
water or space heater, clothes dryer, etc.).

Allow machine to cool five minutes before storing.

•

Operation

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact

•
with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

Do not operate machine while under the influence of

•
alcohol or drugs.

Never operate this machine without good visibility or

•
light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm
hold on the handles.

Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least

•
75 feet from the machine while it is in operation.
Stop the machine if anyone enters the area.

Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The tines may

•
catch in the ground and propel the tiller forward.
If this occurs, let go of the handle bars and do not
restrain the machine.

Exercise extreme caution when operating on or

•
crossing gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden
hazards or traffic.

Never operate the machine at high transport speeds

•
on hard or slippery surfaces.

Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

•

Look down and behind and use care when in reverse

•
or pulling machine towards you.

Start the engine according to the instructions found

•
in this manual and keep feet well away from the tines
at all times.

4

After striking a foreign object, stop the engine,

•
disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against
the engine Thoroughly inspect the machine for any
damage. Repair the damage before starting and
operating.

Disengage all clutch levers (if fitted) and stop engine

•
before you leave the operating position (behind the
handles). Wait until the tines come to a complete
stop before unclogging the tines, making any adjust­ments, or inspections.

Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated

•
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless and deadly gas.

Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a

•
burn. Do not touch.

Use caution when tilling near fences, buildings and

•
underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause
property damage or personal injury.

Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to

•
till soil too deep at too fast of a rate.

If the machine should start making an unusual noise

•
or vibration, stop the engine, disconnect the spark
plug wire and ground it against the engine. Inspect
thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before
starting and operating.

Keep all shields, guards, and safety devices in place

•
and operating properly.

Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is

•
running.

Use only attachments and accessories approved

•
by the manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in
personal injury.

If situations occur which are not covered in this

•
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer or call the customer service number found on
page two.

Maintenance & Storage

Never tamper with safety devices. Check their

•
proper operation regularly.

Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at

•
frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe
working condition. Also, visually inspect machine
for any damage.

Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, stop the

•
engine and make certain the tines and all moving
parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug
wire and ground it against the engine to prevent
unintended starting.

Do not change the engine governor settings or

•
over-speed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels,

•
as necessary.

Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,

•
transporting, and storage of this machine.

Never store the machine or fuel container inside

•
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer, etc.

Always refer to the operator’s manual for proper

•
instructions on off-season storage.

If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.

•

Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for

•
gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

Your Responsibility

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons

•
who read, understand, and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.

The safety labels on the tiller are shown in the

•
“Safety Labels” section. To ensure safe operation
of the tiller, follow the instructions on all labels
closely.

2

Safe

Operation

Practices

WARNING

This symbol points out
important safety in­structions which, if not
followed, could endanger
the personal safety and /or
property of yourself and
others. Read and follow all
instructions in this manual
before attempting to oper­ate this machine. Failure
to comply with these
instructions may result in
personal injury. When you
see this symbol, HEED ITS
WARNING!

5

3

Tiller Setup

References to right and left side of tiller are determined
from behind the unit in the operating position.

Assembly

NOTE: Stand behind

the tiller as if you were

going to operate it. Your

right hand corresponds

to right side of

tiller; your left hand

corresponds to

left side of tiller.

IMPORTANT

This unit is shipped

without gasoline or

oil in the engine. Fill

up gasoline and oil
as instructed in the

accompanying engine

manual BEFORE

operating your tiller.

Handle Attachment

1. Identify forward clutch cable (A) and reverse
clutch cables (B). Figure 3–1.

Figure 3–1: Identify Cables.

Be sure not to kink cables while attaching.

2. Hook the “Z” end of the forward clutch cable
(A) into the forward tine engagement lever
Figure 3–2.

3. Hook the “Z” end of the reverse clutch cable
(B) into the reverse tine engagement lever
Figure 3–2.

Figure 3–2: Insert cables into levers.

Figure 3–3: Insert handle into frame.

4. Remove the hex bolt and cupped washer from
the right side of the frame. Hold the cable
guide bracket on the left side of frame as it
will fall when the bolt is removed.
Figure 3–3 Step 1.

5. Insert handle into tiller frame as shown. See
Figure 3–3 Step 2.

6. Insert bolt through the cupped washer, frame,
handle and into the cable guide bracket (note
the notch in the cable guide bracket goes
over the flange on the frame.) See Figure
3–3 Step 3. Tighten the bolt securely after
securing handle brace as seen in Figure 3–4.

6