MTD 214-100A User Manual

Owner's Operating

Service Instruction

lOct

Manual

ASSEMBLY
OPERATION

REPAIR PARTS

Model No.

214-lOOA

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For one year from date of purchase, MTD Products Inc will replace for the original purchaser, free
of charge, F.O.B. factory or authorized service firm, any part or parts found to be defective in material
or workmanship. All transportation charges on parts submitted for replacement under this warranty
must be paid by the purchaser. This warranty does not include replacement of parts which become
inoperative through misuse, excessive use, accident, neglect, improper maintenance or alterations by
unauthorized persons. This warranty does not include the engine, motor, battery, battery charger or any
component parts thereof. For service on these units, refer to the applicable manufacturer's warranty.

The above warranty will apply only to the original owner and will be effective only if the warranty
card has been properly processed. It will not apply where the unit has been used commercially.

Warranty service is available through your local authorized service dealer or distributor. UNDER
NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE RETURN OF A COMPLETE UNIT BE ACCEPTED BY THE

FACTORY UNLESS PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED.

MTD PRODUCTS INC

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

WARRANTY

5389 WEST 130th STREET • P. 0. BOX 2741 CLEVELAND OHIO 44111

FORM NO. 770-4922

1. Your tiller is a precision piece of power equipment.
Exercise extreme caution at all times.

2. Do not attempt to start engine with the clutch con

trol in the engaged or FORWARD position.

3. Stand clear of tines when starting engine. Never
stand in front of, or work on tines while the en

gine is running.

4. NEVER place hands or feet in the vicinity of the

tines while the engine is running.

5. Always stop engine when tiller is not in actual use.

6. Always disconnect spark plug wire during repairs

or refueling operations.

7. Do not fill gas tank while engine is running. Do not

spill gasoline on hot engine.

Wheels — Insert axle bolts (23) into wheel hubs. Place
washers (26) between wheel and leg. Secure with nuts
(29) and lockwashers (28) tightened only enough to
allow free movement of the wheels (25). Attach wheel
and axle assemblies to outside of tiller legs (27 and 30).
(See page 8.)

Handle — Assemble the handle brackets (8) to the
handle (2) with hex head screw (11), lockwashers (9)
and hex nuts (10). DO NOT tighten. Place the han
dle bracekts (8) in the tailpiece slots. Fasten the lower

hole in the handle brackets to the frame with a car
riage bolt 5/16-18 x%" Lg. (20), lockwasher (13) and
hex nut (12). Tighten all screws and nuts. (See page 6.)

CLUTCH CONTROL LEVER ASSEMBLY

Lockout Lever — Assemble in this order: rubber wash

er (42), steel washer (41), clutch lever assembly (43),
(rod bracket to the front), steel washer (41) and lock
nut (40). Tighten until rubber washer compresses

slightly. (See page 6.)

Your rotary tiller is a precision built machine designed

to take the work out of gardening and other related
chores. It can be used for seed bed preparation, tilling,

cultivating, furrowing, composting and mulching. Like

any other piece of power equipment, it requires a cer
tain amount of care and maintenance. In return for
this, it will give a maximum of service and efficiency.
Read these instructions carefully before assembling or
operating your tiller. Through proper care and opera
tion, you will obtain long, efficient service and trouble
free operation.

ASSEMBLY-ONE PIECE HANDLE

Your rotary tiller is shipped complete in a single car
ton. The tines, wheels, handle and depth bar are to be
assembled. This is done in the manner described be
low.

Tines—Mount tines on tine shaft as shown. (See page

8.) fines must be mounted with the cutting edges fac
ing the front. The tiller will not operate properly unless
the sharpened surface of the tines enter the soil first.
Secure tines in position on tine shaft with cap screws

(35), and nuts (24).

Note: Dust pads (21 and 22) are provided in screw
pack. (See page 8.)

Clutch Control Assembly — Screw the ferrule (37) on
the threaded end of the lockout rod (38) until about

Vi" of the threads show. Insert the ferrule through the

control lever (36), fasten with flat washer (35) and cot
ter hairpin (34). Put the lockout handle in the neutral
position. Insert the lockout rod in the bracket on the
lockout lever and secure with a cotter hairpin (34)
through the center of the bracket. Adjust the ferrule
so the belt is slack when the lockout lever is in the
neutral position. (See page 6.)

Depth Bar —Attach depth bar (18) in desired position
with clevis pin (17) and locking pin (15). (See page 6.)

Grips — Assemble grips (1) to handle bars.

CHECK LIST BEFORE OPERATION

1. Check tiller tines for proper installation. With
throttle control lever set on STOP position and the

clutch control handle set in FORWARD position,
slowly crank engine to determine direction of tine

rotation. Be sure all tines are mounted so the sharp
ened edges enter the soil first.

2. Check all nuts and bolts for proper tightness. This
is especially important during the initial operation
period.

Make this same check periodically there-

after.

3. Check gear case for proper lubricant level. With
tiller on a level surface, lubricant level should be
up to the front pipe plug opening. This can be
checked by removing front pipe plug. Maintain cor
rect lubricant level with Mobilube SAE 140 Gear Oil
or equivalent. The gear case holds five (5) ounces
of lubricant.

4. Check fuel tank. Clean, fresh, regular gasoline
should be used at all times.

5. Check engine crankcase for proper oil level. The
engine is shipped without oil in the crankcase. Be
sure to fill crankcase before starting engine. Be
sure crankcase is FULL.

NOTE: The engine is warranted separately by the en
gine manufacturer. For warranty service contact the

engine manufacturer or their local authorized service
station. All impotant information pertaining to care and
operation is included in the engine manual.

STARTING YOUR TILLER

1. Be sure clutch control handle is in NEUTRAL po
sition.

of the tines is increased. Raising the setting of the depth
bar increases the forward speed and reduces the work

ing depth. When soil conditions are severe and sev
eral passes must be made over a certain area, the
depth bar setting should be lowered each time a pass
is made. Further control of tilling depth and travel speed
can be obtained by variation of pressure on the han
dles. A downward pressure on the handles will in
crease the working depth and reduce the forward
speed. An upward pressure on the handles will re
duce the working depth and increase the forward
speed. The type of soil and working conditions will

determine the actual setting of the depth bar and the
handle pressure required.

1. Tine engagement and forward travel is achieved by
moving the clutch control handle to FORWARD po
sition. Tine rotation and forward motion are stopped
by moving the clutch control handle to NEUTRAL
position. Reverse tine action and reverse travel mo
tion can be maintained by HOLDING the clutch con
trol handle in REVERSE position. Releasing the han
dle stops reverse operation automatically.

2. Move throttle lever to START position on engine.

3. After cranking the engine several times or as the
engine fires, move the throttle lever to RUN posi
tion.

4. Adjust throttle lever for desired operating speed.

5. To stop engine, move throttle lever to STOP posi
tion. Keep throttle lever in STOP position at all
times when tiller is not in use.

NOTE: A brief break-in period is essential to insure
maximum engine life. This consists of running the en
gine at half speed for a period of time required to
use one tank of gasoline. This is necessary on the ini
tial run only. It is also recommended that the oil be
changed after five (5) hours of operation. This allows
for the removal of impurities which may have accumu
lated during the break-in period. Subsequent oil
changes should be made as stated in the engine man
ual. Always check oil before using your tiller. Be sure

crankcase is full.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

2. The throttle lever adjusts the engine speed. It also
gives fingertip control of the carburetor and mag
neto stop switch. With the throttle lever pushed
completely to the left, the carburetor is in START
position. Pulling the lever to the right reduces the
engine speed to SLOW. When the lever is pulled
completely to the right, the magneto stop switch
grounds out the spark and stops the engine.

3. With the depth bar raised out of operation, self­propelled transporting of the tiller is easily
achieved. With no pressure on the handles and the
throttle lever set for SLOW engine speed, move
the clutch control handle to the FORWARD position
and let the tiller gently propel itself.

ADJUSTMENTS

Belts—Belt slack is taken up by a spring loaded idler
pulley. Because of this, belt adjustment is not required.

Clutch—No adjustment in clutch linkage is required.

This is done automatically by the spring loaded idler.

For your own convenience and safety, observe all safe
ty suggestions shown in this manual. Your tiller is
not a toy, it is a precision piece of power equipment.
Treat it as such.

It is important to recognize the fact that the forward
and penetrating action of the rotary tiller is obtained
from the rotating action of the tines in the soil. The
depth bar acts as a brake for the tiller and controls the

depth and speed at which the machine will operate. By

lowering the setting of the depth bar, the forward

speed of the machine is reduced and the working depth

NOTE: Belt and clutch adjustments can be made by

moving the engine bed. Loosen the four bolts which
secure it and move the engine bed forward or back
ward as required. Adjusting the control rod will also

effect the belt and clutch adjustment. These adjust

ments may be necessary if handle position is changed.

Handles—The position of the handles may be adjusted

by removing and moving carriage bolts in the lower

mounting holes. Adjustment should be made for the
most convenient operating height.

Wheels—Wheel positions may be varied to give fur

ther adjustment of handle height. Various wheel po
sitions also give variations of the leverage and weight
distribution over the tines. Wheels should be set to
suit the local soil conditions and the operator's con

venience.

3. Position belt on 4y2" pulley and replace on worm
shaft. Pulley must be mounted in position so that
it will line up with engine pulley when assembly
is completed. The correct position is that point at
which the center of the pulley is 1-1/8" above the
mounting plate assembly. Tighten set screw se
curely.

Tines—The standard width of cut is 26". Because of the

various types of work to which the tiller may be put,
variation in the tilling widths may be necessary. This
can be accomplished in a number of ways.

1. Standard tine arrangement_________________________26"

2. Remove outer tines from outer tine
assemblies. Tines may be interchanged
with opposite sides

3. Add tine extensions to standard

arrangement

NOTE; When adjusting tines, be sure the cutting edges
enter the soil first.

_______________________________

___________________________________

20"

40"

MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION

Engine—Service engine in accordance with the engine
manufacturer's owner's guide.

NOTE: To drain oil, remove oil filler plug and tip tiller
on its side. Drain oil while the engine is warm. See
engine manual for filling instructions.

4. If belt clip has been loosened, line up in original
position and tighten securely. Make sure belt is in
side belt guards. While holding the belt taut (grasp
at extreme rear position), move clutch control han
dle to FORWARD and NEUTRAL position. If belt clip
touches belt with handle in either position, readjust
position of clip.

5. Move clutch control handle to NEUTRAL position.
Remove inspection plate from engins bed.

6. Replace engine bed and engine on mounting plate
assembly. Do not kink control wire. Move engine
bed and engine as far forward as possible.

7. Reach through inspection hole and guide belt into
position on engine pulley.

8. Check visually through inspection hole to make sure
belt is inside all belt guards and that pulleys are in
proper alignment. A flashlight will help you make
this check quickly and easily.

9. Line up mounting holes and replace cap screws. Do
not tighten cap screws until all are in place. Replace
inspection plate.

Gear Case— Proper lubricant level should be up to the

front pipe plug. Check with tiller on a level surface.
Add enough to bring level up to front pipe plug hole.
Use Mobilube SAE 140 Gear Oil or equivalent. Gear
case should be maintained with five (5) ounces of lu
bricant.

Lubricate the upper bushing in the gear case with a
small amount of grease. Do not over lubricate as any

excess will enter the gear case proper. Use a high pres

sure gun grease.

Belt — Access to V belt and pulley assemblies is accom

plished by removing the engine and engine bed as

described below.

1. Remove four cap screws which secure engine bed
to mounting plate assembly. Remove engine and

engine bed. Do not kink control wire.

2. Loosen set screw in 4'/2" pulley. Remove pulley and
"V" belt. If belt clip on idler must be loosened to
remove belt, mark correct location of belt clip in

relation to idler before loosening. This can be done
by scribing the belt clip and the end of the weld
bolt in idler with a file. It is most important that
this clip be reassembled in the right position.

REPLACING TILLER GEAR CASE OIL SEALS

1. Drain lubricant.

2. Remove tine assemblies.

3. Remove bearing cap.

4. Remove bearings, worm wheel and tine shaft. Do
not remove bearing races.

5. Remove oil seals from gear case and bearing cap.

6. Remove all burrs from holes in tine shaft.

7. Dip oil seals in lubricant and then insert one in
gear case and one in bearing cap.

8. Wipe tine shaft clean of filings and lubricate be
fore assembling with bearings and worm wheel
in gear case.

9. Replace bearing cap. CAUTION: Do not damage
oil seals. The open flanges face to the outside of
the gear case.