Mantis Tiller-Cultivator User Manual

Tiller/Cultivator

with Honda Engine

OWNER’S MANUAL

Motobêche-bineuse

avec moteur Honda

MANUEL D'UTILISATION

Gartenfräse/Motorhacke

mit Honda-Motor

BEDIENERHANDBUCH

Here’s your new MANTIS Tiller . . . the lightweight wonder that’s changing the way we garden.

Unlike big tillers, your MANTIS Tiller weighs only 24 pounds (11 kg). So it lifts easily, handles smoothly, tills and weeds precisely. And, unlike other small tillers, it features serpentine tines that churn soil to 25 cm deep. It creates a soft, smooth seed bed, even in problem soil.

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. Plus, it shows how the MANTIS Border Edger can make light work of your edging needs.

If you have questions about any topic in this Manual or if you wish to order MANTIS attachments, contact your local authorised Mantis office.

Table of contents

Safety rules & warnings

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

3-5

Safety labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Engine & fuel warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Assembly and mixing fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9

Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

Additional information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Getting to your garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Tilling & cultivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13

Tine positioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

MANTIS Tiller assembly layout . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Parts assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

The Mantis Promise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Welcome to the world of Mantis gardening

Safety rules & warnings

You will notice throughout this owners manual safety rules and important notes. Make sure you understand and obey these warnings for your own protection.

I. Special safety information

WARNING • DANGER

ATTENTION: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT

OUR IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.

WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL,

HEED IT’S WARNING!! STAY ALERT!!

WARNING • DANGER

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.

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.

II. Safety & warnings

! !

DON’T FUEL, REFUEL, OR CHECK FUEL WHILE SMOKING, OR NEAR AN OPEN FLAME OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE.

INCORRECT ASSEMBLY.CAUTION: WHEN ASSEMBLING THE HANDLES, MAKE SURE FUEL TANK FACES AWAY FROM OPERATOR. THIS IS THE REAR OF THE TILLER, REFER TO ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION ON PAGE 7.

CUTTING HAZARD; KEEP FEET AND HANDS AWAY FROM ROTATING TINES.

WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION.

READ OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE USING TILLER, OR PERFORMING ANY REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE. KEEP OWNERS MANUAL IN A SAFE PLACE.

DO NOT CARRY THE TILLER IN THIS POSITION.

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.

! !

An important part of the safety system incorporated in this tiller

are the warning and information labels found on various parts of the tiller. These labels must be replaced in time due to abrasion, etc. It is your responsibility to replace these labels when they become hard to read. The location and part numbers (P/N) of these labels are illustrated on Page 27.

III. Safety label information

P/N 400620

P/N 400609

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

operate unit when fatigued.

6. Always dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery, 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 applicable CE requirements. To avoid hearing damage, we recommend hearing protection be worn whenever using the equipment.

9. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine, and petrol/fuel 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 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

V. Warnings - don'ts

Don’t use tiller with one hand. Keep both hands on handles with 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 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. Have repairs made by a qualified dealer or repairman. See that only original Mantis parts are used.

WARNING • DANGER

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

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

! !

Always use fresh petrol. Stale

petrol 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.

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.

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 refuelling.

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 odour of petrol is present or other conditions exist.

Don’t

operate the unit if petrol is spilled. Clean up spill completely before starting engine.

Don’t

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

Don’t

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

Don’t change the engine

governor setting or over speed the engine.

VI. Engine/fuel warnings - do’s

VII. Engine/fuel warnings - don’ts

Your MANTIS Tiller comes partially assembled. You must install only the handlebars, the carrying handle, and the tines. This 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" (11 mm) spanners/wrenches. We suggest that you install all nuts and bolts only “finger tight” — that is, one-half to one full turn — until you’ve completed assembly. The

nuts are self locking, but you must use a spanner/wrench to tighten them completely.

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, YOUR LOCAL AUTHORISED

MANTIS OFFICE.

Quantity Description *Key No.

1 Upper handle assembly 2 1 Upper handle throttle side assembly 1 2 Lower handles 6 1 Pair tiller/cultivator tines 39,40 1 Engine assembly (includes fender

guard & worm tear transmission) 20,21,55 1 Handle brace 8 1 Plastic carrying handle 42 1 Bag of hardware containing: 2 Cap screws 47 4 Lock nuts 48 2 Bolts 3” (7.62 cm) 49 2 Tine retaining pins 41 2 Handle clamps 51 1 Throttle clips 13 2 Bolts 52 2 Knobs 53

*These numbers are the same numbers shown on the parts layout on page 18.

20,21,55

+ 14 hidden pages