MTD 215-370 A User Manual

Owner's Operating

Service Instruction

lOtfc

Manual

ASSEMBLY OPERATION REPAIR PARTS

Model Nos.

215-370A
215-375A

rrrrrrrrrsTrrryrrrrrrrrrrrr^^

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. Alt 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. FORM NO. 770-5634

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

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 designed to take the work out of

gardening and other related chores. It can be used
for seed bed preparation, tilling, cultivating, furrow
ing, composting and mulching. Like any other piece
of power equipment, it requires a certain amount of
care and maintenance. In return for this, it will give

a maximum of service and efficiency. Read these in

structions carefully before assembling or operating

your tiller. Through proper care and operation, you

will obtain long, efficient service and trouble-free

operation.

NOTE

The engine is shipped without oil in
the crankcase. See engine manual for
correct type and amount.

ASSEMBLY

Your rotary tiller is shipped complete in a single ca^

ton. The outer tines, wheels, handle, controls, depti

bar and tailpiece are to be assembled. This is done ir

the manner described below.

WHEELS

Insert axle bolt into wheel place Belleville washer on
threaded part of axle bolt. Crown of washer should be
positioned towards the wheel. Insert axle bolt in wheel

mounting hole of handle/wheel bracket assembly and

fasten with lockwasher and hex nut. See figure 1.

TINE ASSEMBLY

Step 1. The inner tine assemblies are already assem

bled to the tiller.

Step 2. The outer tine assemblies are inverted on the

Step 3. Remove the outer tine assembly and turn

tine shaft and MUST be removed and turned
around.

around so that the sharp edge of the tines
enter the soil first. Secure with bolt and lock
nut. See page 14.

HANDLE ASSEMBLY

CONTROL ROD

Assemble the handle to the bracket with four cap
screws, washers and hex nuts. See figure 2.

Hex Nuts and Lockwashers

Hex Cap Sere'

FIGURE 2. HANDLE ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH CONTROL

Place the clutch control lever through the handle pan
el and attach it to the bracket using a screw and hex
nut with two metal washers and a rubber washer
between the bracket and clutch control as shown in
figure 3.

Cotter Pin

Place the clutch control lever in neutral as shown in
figure 4. Screw the ferrule onto the control rod so that
approximately
the ferrule. Assemble the ferrule to the pivot idler
bracket and secure with a cotter pin.

Adjust the ferrule location on the control rod so both
the forward and reverse belts are slack with the clutch
control lever in the NEUTRAL position. Secure with a
cotter pin.

Va inch of threads are showing below

Clutch Control Lever

Cotter Pi

2

f

FIGURE 4. CONTROL ROD

THROTTLE

Assemble throttle control as shown in figure 5.

Flat Washers

Rubber Washer

FIGURE 3. CLUTCH CONTROL FIGURE 5. THROTTLE CONTROL

TAILPIECE

CHECK LIST BEFORE OPERATION

Attach the tailpiece to tiller with "U" clevis pin and
secure with spring pin. See figure 7.

NOTE

The "U" channel bracket assembly has
been assembled loose so that the tail
piece can be easily assembled to the
unit. After assembly of tail piece tighten
nuts and bolts tightly. See figure 6.

annel Bracket

fembly

FIGURE 6. TAILPIECE

DEPTH BAR

Attach the depth bar to the tailpiece with a clevis
pin and secure with the spring pin. See figure 8,

1. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and '
ground. Check tiller tines for proper installatior
With throttle control lever set on STOP position ano
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. Place the clutch control lever in the NEUTRAL po
sition. Slowly crank engine. The tines should
not rotate. If they do, readjust control rod.

3. Check all nuts and bolts for correct tightness. This is
especially important during the initial operation
period. Make the same check periodically there
after.

4. Check throttle control for proper setting. Move
throttle control knob to STOP position. Move lever,
to which control wire is fastened at engine, to

CLOSE position and retighten screw to secure throt
tle control wire assembly.

5. Check gear case for proper lubricant level. With til

ler 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 correct lu

bricant level with Molilube SAE 140 gear oil or
equivalent. The gear case holds five (5) ounces of
lubricant.

6. Fill fuel tank. Clean, fresh, regular grade gasoline
should be used at all times.

7. Check engine crankcase for proper oil level. The en
gine is shipped without oil in the crankcase. Be
sure crankcase is FULL. See engine manual.

STARTING YOUR TILLER

1. Be sure clutch control lever is in NEUTRAL posi
tion.

2. Move throttle control lever to STOP position.

3. Move choke lever, located at the engine, to CHOKE
position. Refer to your engine manual.

4. Pull the starter rope to start the engine. More than
one pull may be required the first time. When the

engine fires, move the throttle control lever to RUN

position.

5. Use Choke as needed to keep engine operating

during warm-up period.

6. Adjust throttle .control lever for desired operating

speed.

7. Check and make sure tines do not turn in NEUTR/
position.

8. To stop engine, move throttle control lever to STOP
position. Keep throttle control lever in STOP posi

tion at all times when tiller is not in use.

NOTE

NOTE

A brief break-in period is essential to

insure maximum engine life. This con
sists of running the engine at half speed
for a period of time required to use one
tank of gasoline. This is necessary on
the initial run only. It is also recom
mended that the oil be changed after

five (5) hours of operation. This allows
for the removal of impurities which
may have accumulated during the break­in period. Subsequent oil changes
should be made as stated in the engine
manual. Always check oil before using

your tiller especially during the break-in

period. Be sure oil level is adequate.

TWO SPEED ADJUSTMENT

Your tiller can be operated in two speed ranges. See
figure 8.

The forward drive belt can be in either the high speed

groove or the low speed groove. The soil condition
determines the best speed range for your tiller.
To change belt from one groove to the other, shut off

the engine remove the spark plug wire and ground,

pull the clutch control lever into REVERSE with your

left hand and move the belt on the upper pulley to

the other groove. Repeat with the lower pulley.

The Low Speed Groove for the 5 H.P.
tiller is the groove closest to the engine.
The Low Speed Groove for the 8 H.P.
tiller is the groove towards the oper
ator. See figure 8.

The High Speed Groove for the 5 H.P.
tiller is the groove towards the operator.
The High Speed Groove for the 8 H.P.
tiller is the groove closest to the engine.
See figure 8.

HANDLE ADJUSTMENT

The handle may be adjusted to five different heights

by loosening the adjusting screw (and pulling it out
enough to clear the notches) on each side of the handle
and pivoting the handle up or down. See figure 9.

Groove tow

FIGURE 8. TWO SPEED ADJUSTMENT

FIGURE 9. HANDLE ADJUSTMENT

TAILPIECE ADJUSTMENT

The tailpiece can be made stationary or free floating.

To be free floating simply lift the "U" clevis and rotate

"U" clevis to engage forward hole and push down.
See figure 9. See figure 2 for stationary position.