Mantis 7940 Quick Start Manual

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

TOOLS NEEDED TO ASSEMBLE THE TILLER:

• Two (2) 7/16” wrenches

• One (1) 3/8” wrench for kickstand assembly

B. Lay the box on one side and open the bottom fl aps.

C. Return the box to an upright position and pull the

box straight up and over the enclosed tiller. The en-

gine and throttle handle will be sitting upright in the
cradle to assist in assembly, as shown. Locate the
hardware bag. (It may be in the cardboard cradle)

NOTE: Keep cardboard cradle on for assembly.

A. Fit a handle clamp (T7) along the outside of the short leg of one handle, lining up the holes on

the clamp and the leg

B. Take one of the two 3-inch bolts (T11) and slide it through the fi rst set of holes – near the

elbow where the lower handle curves. Then slide the other clamp onto the other
handles short leg. Add a lock nut (T14) and tighten by hand.

C. Locate the recessed channels below the engine, and slide the handles you’ve just put together

into them as shown.

D. Insert them from the rear so that they come from behind the Mantis logo as shown

(or you’ll be tilling backwards!).

E. Slide the second 3-inch bolt through the second set of

holes in the short legs, add a lock nut and tighten fi nger tight.

STEP 1: ATTACH LOWER HANDLES

A. Lightly squeeze lower handle towards

one another so that they line up with
two smaller holes on carrying handle –
then slide carrying handle over and down
lower handle. It will rest 4-6” above
fender.

B. Take upper handle with trigger and line

it up with the lower handle. Insert the
carriage bolt (T42) from the outside in.

Screw on knob and tighten (T12).
Cap the exposed bolt with an acorn nut
(T13) and hand tighten until snug. Do not
over tighten.

C. Repeat step B to install other handle.
D. Use the clip(T9) to secure the black

cable and wire in place on the lower
handle.

E. Install the handle brace. Line it up with

the holes on the upper handles. Then
insert a cap screw (T15) and lock nut
(T14) on either side. Use a wrench to
tighten cap screws and lock nuts, and
then tighten all nuts and bolts throughout
the assembly fi rmly and securely.

STEP 2: ATTACH UPPER HANDLES

A. Lean the Tiller Handles against a sturdy surface, so the tiller is supported in the upright

position. Place the Top Bracket over the Lower Handles and below the Carry Handle.

B. Place the Bottom Bracket of the Kickstand Stand Assembly (T49) under the Lower Handles

and line up the holes in both brackets.

C. Insert two screws through the holes in the Top Bracket and into the threaded inserts of the

Lower Bracket. Tighten with the 3/8” wrench.

KICKSTAND POSITION: Place kickstand in the folded (up) position. Kickstand should be
centered between Lower Handles. If not, loosen screws slightly, adjust as necessary and
re-tighten the screws.

STEP 4: ATTACH KICKSTAND

QUICK ASSEMBLY SHEET

Tools Needed: 3/8” wrench.

Top B rac ke t

Tighten Hardware

Bottom Bracket

A. NOW remove your tiller from the cardboard cradle

and lay it on its side. Open tine box. Remove tines
and retaining pins (T41). Pins are in the hardware bag.

Note: one side of the tine has an O shaped hole while the
other has a D shaped hole.

B. Attach tine so that O hole slides onto axle fi rst. When axle

protrudes from top side, it will line up with D shaped hole.

C. Slide retaining pin through hole in axle to secure tine. Repeat on the other side.

STEP 3: INSTALL TINES

4-CYCLE TILLER FUELING AND OIL

• Rock the tiller forward so that it rests on the
fuel tank. It is important to position the Mantis

4-Cycle Tiller as shown
so the oil will properly fi ll
the crankcase

• Failure to do so will
cause engine damage.

• Remove the oil plug.

• Pour in 2.7 fl . oz. of approved, 4-cycle engine oil.

• Always check the oil level before each use.
The oil level should reach the inner fi rst thread
of the reservoir. Do not overfi ll.

• Replace the oil plug.

• Then return the unit to the upright position
and put the kickstand down.

4-CYCLE TILLER STARTING

• First, make sure the start/stop switch, located on
the throttle handle, is in the start position, which
is indicated by the “I” symbol.

• Close the choke by moving the choke lever to
the up position.

• Press the primer bulb approximately 6 times
until he bulb is fi lled with gas. Once it is fi lled,
press it two more times.

• Pull the starter cord lightly until you feel
resistance and then give it a short, brisk pull. Your
tiller should start immediately. Do not pull the
cord all the way out and do not let it snap back
into the starter housing.

•

Once it is running, open the choke. Ensure the
lever is fully down

• To stop the engine, simply push the start/stop
switch to the stop position “O.”

• To start a warm engine, follow the same
procedure. Except now you can leave the choke
lever in the down position and there is no need
to pump the primer bulb.

• Before using the tiller, let the engine run for
a minute to warm up. And before shutting it
down, let the engine idle briefl y to cool down.

NEED HELP?
Call 800-366-6268 or go to www.mantis.com

TIP: UNPACK CAREFULLY AND KEEP ENGINE IN IT’S CARDBOARD CRADLE.

IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ASSEMBLE!

FOR TILLING,

attach the tines so the points
of the blades face forward —
away from the operator. The
tines’ points will contact the
ground fi rst.

W7 <

W8 3

W7 4

W4 8

W4 5

W4 6

W:

W<

W4 4

W4 7

W7 5

A. Open the top of the box and remove the tine box from the top of the box.

FOR CULTIVATING,

reverse the tines so that
the points of the tines face
backward — toward the
operator. Now the long fl at
part of the tine’s blade will
contact the ground fi rst.

Key Qty. Part No. Description

T7 2 Handle Clamps

T9 1 Throttle Clip

T11 2 Bolts (3” long)

T12 2 Knobs

T13 2 Acorn Nuts

T14 4 Lock Nuts

T15 2 Cap Screws

T41 2 Tine Retaining Pins

T42 2 Carriage Bolts

T49 1 Kickstand

T50 1 Kickstand Bracket and Screws

IT IS NORMAL FOR YOUR 4 STROKE ENGINE TO SMOKE FOR THE FIRST MINUTE OR TWO OF OPERATION, HOWEVER IT IS NOT NECESSARY
FOR THIS TO OCCUR EVERY TIME. THIS IS A RESULT OF THE OIL BEING PULLED THROUGH THE ENGINE FOR LUBRICATION.

Fueling your Mantis 4-Cycle Tiller/Cultivator is easy. Unscrew the gas cap and fi ll the tank about
four-fi fths of the way up with 89 octane unleaded gasoline. And remember, always drain the gas when
transporting the unit from one location to another.

Fuel is extremely fl ammable. Handle it with

care. Keep away from ignition sources. Do not

smoke while fueling your equipment

A

D

E

Do not operate the engine in a confi ned

space where dangerous carbon monoxide

fumes can collect.

Avoid accidental blade engagement.

Do not squeeze the throttle trigger when starting.

Maintain proper idle speed adjustment (2500-3100 rpm)

ALTERNATIVE FUELS, SUCH AS E-15 (20% ETHANOL), E-85 (85% ETHANOL) OR ANY FUELS NOT MEETING HONDA REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT APPROVED FOR USE IN
GASOLINE ENGINES. USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS MAY CAUSE PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS, LOSS OF POWER, OVERHEATING, FUEL VAPOR LOCK AND UNINTENDED
MACHINE OPERATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPROPER CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. ALTERNATIVE FUELS MAY ALSO CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION
OF FUEL LINES, GASKETS, CARBURETORS AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.

B

A C

D

B

B

C

A

B

C

A

©2016 Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. | P/N 430132 Rev A 116

IMPORTANT

NOW YOU ARE READY TO USE YOUR MANTIS

RUN YOUR MANTIS LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER

Place your Tiller at the head of the row or area you want to till.
Start it up. Then use an easy rocking motion. First, pull your Tiller
backward. Then use an easy rocking motion. Again, pull your Tiller
backward. Then, let it move forward just a little bit. Then pull it
backward again. This will help you till deeper. Keep repeating these
steps until you’ve tilled an entire row. Start again on the next row.
It’s much like running a vacuum cleaner! (see image to the right)

If you’ve seen other tillers, your MANTIS Tiller may surprise you. It tills best when you pull it
backward! You see, when you pull your MANTIS Tiller backward, you give extra resistance to the
tines, so they dig deeper. In addition, when you go backward, you
erase your footprints. So your soil stays light and fl uffy. With other
tillers, by contrast, you walk right over the soil you’ve just tilled,
packing it down, so it’s less plantable.

The tines won’t turn unless you squeeze the throttle trigger
on the handlebars. When you release the throttle trigger,
the tines will stop.

With engine running, and both hands on the handles, hold
down the throttle lockout trigger (see inset), then squeeze
the throttle trigger gradually to increase the engine speed
and engage the tines.

NOTE: This step must be

repeated each time
your tiller trigger
is released.

OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS MAKE YOUR TILLER EVEN MORE USEFUL

PLANTER/FURROWER

• Create raised beds, till in narrow areas,
dig drainage trenches with ease

• Dig deep planting beds for fl ower bulbs

BORDER EDGER

•

Cuts neat edges for fl ower beds & lawns

• Easy-on, Easy-off with quick release pins

PLOW ATTACHMENT

• Forms straight, uniform deep or shallow
furrows faster than doing it by hand

• Plow easily forward or backward

Thank you for purchasing this Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. product. You have purchased
a world class product, one of the best designed and built anywhere.

In addition to this Quick Start Guide, this tiller comes with an Operator’s Manual that
includes operation and safety instructions, parts and service instructions and engine
instructions. This guide is not a replacement for the Operator’s Manual and the useful life
and good service you receive from your tiller depends to a large extent on how well you
read and understand the manual and guide.

LAWN AERATOR

• Cuts thousands of tiny slits to encourage
new growth

• Reduces soil compaction

WHEEL SET

• Easily roll your Mantis to the garden

• Height adjustable to 6 different positions

LAWN DETHATCHER

• 60 strong, fl exible spring-steel picks pull
up grass along with other dead material
harmful to lawns

• 15” wide for faster completion

• Use in spring or fall before seeding or fertilizing

CREVICE CLEANER

• Removes weeds and dirt from cracks in
patios or sidewalks

• 38 tough steel bristle brushes

• Comes with balancing wheel and fender

HEDGE TRIMMER BAR

• Trimmer bars attach easily to any Mantis
2-Cycle Tiller/Cultivator

• Available in 24” double edge or 30” single edge

• Trim hedges & shrubs, promotes new growth

• Cuts branches up to 1” thick

THROTTLE OPERATION

Learn more at www.mantis.com

QUICK START GUIDE

space into the garden of your dreams!

Turn your outdoor

WELCOME

Read the instructions carefully. Be

familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the equipment.

NEED HELP? Call 800-366-6268 or go to www.mantis.com

TIP:

Unpack carefully.

Keep engine in it’s

cardboard cradle.

It will make it

easier to assemble!

Mantis 4-Cycle Plus (Gas Only) Tiller Model 7940