MTD 214-200A User Manual

Owner's Operating

Service Instruction
Manual

ASSEMBLY OPERATION REPAIR PARTS

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Model Nos.

214-200A
214-255A

WARRANTY

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 chai^r or any
component parts thereof. For service on these utiits, 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.

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MTD PRODUCTS INC

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

5389 WEST 130th STREET

P. 0. BOX 2741 CLEVELAND OHIO 44111

FORM NO. 770-4923

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.

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.

Handle — Assemble the handle brackets (10) to the
handle (2) with hex head screw (13), lockwashers (11)

and hex nuts (12). DO NOT tighten. Place the handle

brackets (10) in the tail piece slots. Fasten the lower
hole in the handle brackets to the frame with a car
riage bolt 5/16-18 x%" Lg. (21), lockwasher (15) and
hex nut (14). Tighten all screws and nuts. (See page 6.)

CLUTCH CONTROL LEVER ASSEMBLY

Lockout Lever — Assemble in this order: rubber wash
er (44), steel washer (43), lockout rod (45) (rod bracket
to the front), steel washer (43) and lock nut (42). Tight

en until rubber washer compresses slightly. (See page

6.)

Clutch Control Assembly — Screw the ferrule (39) on
the threaded end of the lock out rod (40) until about

’/2" of the threads show. Insert the ferrule through the

control lever (38), fasten with flat washer (37) and

hair pin cotter (36). Put the lockout handle in the neu--

tral position. Insert the lockout rod in the bracket on
the lockout lever and secure with a hairpin cotter (36)

through the center of the bracket. Adjust the ferrule

so both belts are slack when the lockout lever is in

the neutral position. (See page 6.)

Grips — Assemble grips (1) to handle bars.

CHECK LIST BEFORE OPERATION

1. Check tiller tines for proper installation. With
throttle lever set on STOP position and the clutch
control handle set in FORWARD position, slowly
crank engine to determine direction of tine rota
tion. Be sure all tines are mounted so the sharpened
edges enter the soil first.

ASSEMBLY

Your rotary tiller is shipped complete in a single car

ton. The tines, wheels, handle and deptK 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.) Tines 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
(41), and nuts (32).

Note: Dust pads (29 and 30) are provided in screw

pack. These must be assembled as shown. (See Page 8.)

Wheels — Insert axle bolts (25) and washer (28) into
wheel hubs. Secure with nuts (31) and washers (30)
tightened only enough to allow free movement of the
wheels (27). Attach wheel and axle assemblies to out

side of tiller legs (29) and (32). (See page 8.)

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

STARTING YOUR TILLER

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

2. Move throttle lever to START position (to the left).

3. After cranking the engine several times or as soon
as the engine fires, move the throttle lever to RUN
position.

4. Adjust throttle lever for desired operating speed.

5. To stop engine, move throttle lever to the left (STOP
position). 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 first five (5) hours of operation. This al
lows for the removal of impurities which may have ac
cumulated 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.

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. 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. Moving the lever right slightly, adjusts
the engine speed to FAST. Moving the lever fur
ther to the right reduces the engine speed to SLOW.
When the lever is moved 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.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

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
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.

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.

NOTE: Belt and clutch adjustments can be made with
the adjustable control rod.

Throttle—If adjustment becomes necessary, the throttle
control wire assembly can be reset as follows:

1. Loosen, but do not remove, screw securing throttle
control wire assembly at engine.

2. Move throttle control knob to STOP position.

3. Move lever, to which control wire is fastened at

engine, to CLOSE position and retighten screw to
secure throttle control wire assembly.

An upward pressure on the handles will reduce
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 pres
sure required.

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.

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

2. Remove outer tine assemblies (complete) __ 12"

3. Remove outer tines from outer tine
assemblies. Tines may be interchanged
with opposite sides---------------------------------------------20"

_____________________

26"

2. Remove four cap screws which secure engine bed
to mounting plate assembly. Remove engine and
engine bed. Do not kink control wire.

3. Remove front belt guard.

4. Remove upper belt from pulley assembly.

5. Place clutch control handle into FORWARD po
sition.

6. Remove bottom belt.

7. Replace bottom belt. This most be properly
mounted in the lower pulley grooves and between
the belt clip and the idler pulley on the spring
tensioned idler pulley assembly.

8. Place clutch control handle into NEUTRAL position.

Add tine extensions to standard
arrangement

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

_____________________

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.

Gear Case— Proper lubricant level should be up to the
front pipe plug. Check with tiller on a level surface.
Add lubricant through vented pipe plug hole. Add

enough to bring level up to front pipe,plug hole. Use

Mobilube SAE 140 Gear Oil or equivalènt. Gear case

should be maintained with five (5) ounces of lubricant.

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.

9. Replace upper belt.

10. Remove inspection plate from engine bed.

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

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

13. Check visually through inspection hole to make

sure belt is inside all belt guards and that belt is
properly seated on engine pulley. A flashlight will
help you make this check quickly and easily.

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

REPLACING TILLER GEAR CASE OIL SEALS

1. Drain lubricant.

Throttle—Periodically lubricate throttle control lever

and throttle control wire assembly with a few drops
of light oil (SAE 10 or 20) for ease of operation.

Belts—Access to V belt and pulley assemblies is accom

plished by removing the engine and engine bed as

described below.

1. Place clutch control handle into NEUTRAL position.

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.