Mantis 401764 XP User Manual

Tiller/Cultivator

with 4 Stroke Engine

OWNER’S MANUAL

Welcome to the World of Mantis®XP Gardening

Here’s your new MANTIS XP Tiller… the lightweight wonder that is making gardening easier.

Unlike big tillers, your MANTIS XP Tiller weighs only 34 pounds and is like no other. So it lifts easily, handles smoothly, tills and weeds precisely. And, unlike other small tillers, it features dual serpentine tines that churn soil to ten inches deep. It creates a soft, smooth seed bed, even in problem soil.

It’s bigger than a mini tiller and better than a bigger tiller!

Once you know how to use your tiller correctly, we guarantee you’ll love it. So first, please read this manual. It shows, step by step, how to use your tiller safely.

If you have questions about any topic in this Manual, or for the name of your local dealer, call 1-800-366-6268 toll free, Monday – Saturday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, Eastern Time.

Table of Contents

Safety Rules & Warnings

Safety Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Engine & Fuel Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9

Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Getting to Your Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3-5

Tilling & Cultivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-14

Tine Positioning and Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

MANTIS XP Tiller Assembly Layout . . . . . . . .18

Limited Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Safety Rules & Warnings

You will notice Safety Rules and Important Notes throughout this Owners Manual. Make sure you understand and obey these warnings for your own protection.

I. Special Safety Information

TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS, COMPLY

WITH THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL.

FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL

INJURY, AND/OR EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

II. Safety & Warnings

WARNING • DANGER

ATTENTION: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT

OUR IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.

WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL,

HEED IT’S WARNING!! STAY ALERT!!

! !

WARNING • DANGER

IMPROPER USE OR CARE OF THIS TILLER

OR FAILURE TO WEAR PROPER PROTECTION

CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

AND ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL.

WEAR HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known

to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

III. Safety Decal Information

tiller. These decals must be replaced in time due to abrasion, etc. It is your

responsibility to replace these decals when they become hard to read. The

P/N 400634

/N 400631

DO NOT REACH YOUR F

INGERS AND\OR HANDS IN BETWEEN THE TINE BLADES

n important part of the safety system incorporated in this tiller

re the warning and information decals found on various parts of the

location and part numbers (P/N) of these decals are illustrated below.

CUTTING HAZARD; KEEP F

EET AND HANDS AWAY

FROM ROTATING TINES.

DO NOT CARRY THE TILLER I

N THIS POSITION.

EAD OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE USING TILLER, OR PERFORMING ANY REPAIR O

R MAINTENANCE. KEEP OWNERS MANUAL IN A SAFE PLACE.

DON’T FUEL, REFUEL, OR CHECK FUEL WHILE S

MOKING, OR NEAR AN OPEN FLAME OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE.

ALWAYS REMOVE THE OUTER TINES BEFORE REMOVING THE INNER TINES

P/N 400635

! !

WARNING • DANGER

IF THE TILLER IS USED IMPROPERLY OR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

ARE NOT FOLLOWED, THE USERS RISK SERIOUS INJURY TO

THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS

MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS TILLER.

IV. Warnings - Do’s

Read and understand the owner’s manual. Pay particular attention to all sections regarding safety.

1. Always keep a firm grip on both handles while the tines are moving and/or the engine is running. BE AWARE!! The tines may coast after throttle trigger is released. Make sure tines have come to a complete stop and engine is off before letting go of the tiller.

2. Always maintain a firm footing and good balance. Do not overreach while operating the tiller. Before you start to use the tiller, check the work area for obstacles that might cause you to lose your footing, balance or control of the machine.

3. Thoroughly inspect the area where equipment is to be used and remove all objects, which can be thrown by the machine.

4. Always keep area clear of children, pets, and bystanders.

5. Always stay alert. Watch what you are doing and use common sense. Do not

ASSEMBLING THE HANDLES, MAKE SURE FUEL TANK FACES AWAY FROM OPERATOR. THIS IS THE REAR OF THE TILLER, REFER TO ASSEMBLY I

NSTRUCTION ON PAGE 7.

operate unit when fatigued.

6. Always dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry, they might get caught in moving parts. Use sturdy gloves. Gloves reduce the transmission of vibration to your hands. Prolonged exposure to vibration can cause numbness and other ailments.

7. While working, always wear substantial footwear and long trousers. Do not operate the equipment when barefoot or wearing open sandals.

8. Always wear ear and eye protection. Eye protection must meet ANSI Z 87.1. To avoid hearing damage, we recommend hearing protection be worn whenever using the equipment.

9. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine, and petrol/gas storage area free of vegetative material and excessive grease.

10. Start the engine carefully, according to the manufacturer’s instructions and with feet well away from tool(s).

11. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe

INCORRECT ASSEMBLY.CAUTION: WHEN

WARNING • DANGER

OPERATION OF THIS EQUIPMENT MAY CREATE SPARKS THAT

CAN START FIRES AROUND DRY VEGETATION. A SPARK

ARRESTOR IS INSTALLED. THE OPERATOR SHOULD CONTACT

LOCAL FIRE AGENCIES FOR LAWS OR REGULATIONS

RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS.

WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION.

DO NOT OPERATE TILLER INDOORS OR IN POORLY VENTILATED AREA

working condition.

12. Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine towards you.

13. Work only in daylight or good artificial light.

14. Always be sure of your footing on slopes.

15. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

16. Always keep a safe distance between two or more people when working together.

17. Always inspect your unit before each use and ensure that all handles, guards and fasteners are secure, operating, and in place.

18. Always maintain and examine your tiller with care. Follow maintenance instructions given in manual.

19. Always store tiller in a sheltered area (a dry place), not accessible to children. The tiller as well as fuel should not be stored in a house

20. Always remove the outer set of tines before removing the inner set of tines.

ave repairs made by a qualified

V. Warnings - Don'ts

Don’t use tiller with one hand.

eep both hands on handles with

K fingers and thumbs encircling the handles, while tines are moving, and engine is running.

Don’t overreach. Keep a good

footing at all times.

Don’t run with the machine,

walk.

Don’t let others operate tiller

without proper training.

Do not stand in front of tiller

! !

hen tines are rotating.

Don’t work on excessively steep

slopes.

Don’t attempt to clear tines while they are moving. Never try to remove jammed material before switching the engine off and making sure the tines have stopped completely.

Don’t allow children or incapable

people to operate this tiller.

Don’t operate while under

the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Don’t attempt to repair this tiller.

WARNING • DANGER

H dealer or repairman.

See that only original Mantis

arts are used.

Don’t operate tiller with tines

aving the 3 rods extending from end

h without having second set of tines attached. Failure to have tines in place will damage tine assembly.

Do not reach you fingers and\or

hands in between the tine blades.

Do not attempt to remove the inner tines before removing the outer tines.

HANDLE FUEL WITH CARE, IT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. FUELING A HOT ENGINE OR NEAR AN IGNITION

SOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE AND RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

VI. Engine/Fuel Warnings - Do’s

Always use fresh gasoline. Stale gasoline can cause damage.

Always store fuel in containers specifically designed for this purpose.

Always pull starter cord slowly until resistance is felt. Then pull cord rapidly to avoid kickback and prevent arm or hand injury.

Always operate engine with spark arrestor installed and operating properly. The use of spark arrestor mufflers is required by law in the state of California (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code), as well as in other states or municipalities. Federal laws apply on federal lands.

VII. Engine/Fuel Warnings - Don’ts

Don’t

fuel, refuel or check fuel while smoking, or near an open flame or other ignition source. Stop engine and be sure it is cool before refueling.

Don’t

leave the engine running while the tiller is unattended. Stop engine before putting the tiller down or while transporting from one place to another.

Don’t

refuel, start or run this tiller indoors or in an improperly ventilated area.

Don’t

run engine when electrical system causes spark outside the cylinder. During periodical checks

of the spark plug, keep plug a safe distance from cylinder to avoid burning of evaporated fuel from cylinder.

Don’t

check for spark with spark plug or plug wire removed. Use an approved tester.

Don’t

crank engine with spark plug removed unless spark plug wire is disconnected. Sparks can ignite fumes.

Don’t

run engine when the odor of gasoline is present or other explosive conditions exist.

Don’t

operate the unit if gasoline is spilled. Clean up spill

Stop the engine whenever you leave the machine.

Allow the engine to cool before

storing in any enclosure.

If the fuel tank needs to be drained, this should be done outdoors.

completely before starting engine.

Don’t

operate your tiller if there is an accumulation of debris around the muffler, and cooling fins.

Don’t

touch hot mufflers, cylinders or cooling fins as contact may cause serious burns.

Don’t change the engine governor setting or over speed the engine.

Don’t

attempt to remove spark plug while engine is hot. Removing a spark plug from a hot engine can cause irreparable damage to the engine and will void your warranty.

Assembly

WARNING•DANGER

IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THIS TILLER

CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL

INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

CONTACT OUR FACTORY AT

1-800-366-6268

Your MANTIS®XP Tiller comes partially assembled. Full assembly will take just a few minutes if you follow the directions.

First, take all items out of the

carton. But do not remove the cardboard from around the Tiller’s base.

The list at the right, shows the parts that come with your tiller. Check to make sure you have them.

The bag of hardware is in the plastic bag containing the Owner’s Manual and Video.

To assemble your MANTIS Tiller, you’ll need two 7/16" and one 3/8" wrenches or sockets. We suggest that you install all nuts and bolts only “finger tight” one full turn — until you’ve completed assembly. The nuts are

self locking, but you must use a wrench to tighten them completely.

— that is, one-half to

Quantity Description *Key #

1 Upper Handle Assembly 2 1 Upper Handle Throttle Assembly 1 2 Lower Handles 6 1 Engine Assembly (includes Fender Guard,

Worm Gear Transmission & Tines) 20, 21, 39,

40, 55,

66, 67

1 Carrying Handle 42 1 Handle Brace 8 1 Bag of Hardware Containing: 2 Bolts (1” long) 47 4 Lock Nuts 48 2 Bolts (3” long) 49 2 Handle Clamps 51 1 Throttle Cable Clip 13 2 Round Head, Square Neck Bolts 52 2 Handle Knobs 53 1 Kickstand Assembly 69 1 Kickstand Top Bracket with 3/8” Bolts

*These numbers are the same numbers shown on the Parts

Layout on page 18.

39 40 55 66 67

**If applicable.

+ 14 hidden pages