MTD 218-402-000 User Manual
$1.00
owners GUIDE
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
for all seasons
REAR TINE
TILLERS
IMPORTANT:
Read Safety Rules and
Instructions Carefully
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Model Numbers
218-402-000
218-404-000
218-405-000
Thank you for purchasing
an American-built product.
FORM NO. 770-5250C
INDEX
Safe Operation Practices
Assembiy
Controis
Operation...................................................................8
How To Use Your Tilier
Adjustments....................................................
Lubrication......................................................
Maintenance...................................................
Off-Season Storage........................................
Trouble Shooting Chart ..................................
lilustrated Parts
Parts List
Parts Information
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16, 18, 20, 21
17, 19, 20, 21
Bad Cover
Dear Customer,
So often throughout the year we are all In a
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rush to meet our daily obligations.
However, we at MTD Products Inc are tak
ing a quick moment out to say...
“Thank you for your business.’’
Sincerely,
MTD PRODUCTS INC
INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN WITH THIS SYM
BOL ARE FOR PERSONAL SAFETY. BE
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SURE TO FOLLOW THEM.
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LIMITED WARRANTY
For one year from the date of original retail purchase, MTD PRODUCTS INC will either
repair or replace, at its option, free of charge, F.O.B. factory or authorized service firm, any
part or parts found to be defective ii material or workmanship. Transportation charges for
the movement of any power equipment unit or attachment are the responsibility of the pur
chaser. Transportation charges foriimy parts submitted for replacement under this warran
ty must be paid by the purchaser unless such return is requested by MTD PRODUCTS INC.
This warranty will not apply to any eart which has become inoperative due to misuse, ex
cessive use, accident, neglect, improper maintenance, alterations, or unless the unit has
been operated and maintained in ac cordance with the instructions furnished. This warran
ty does not apply to the engine, mot^r, battery, battery charger or component parts thereof.
Please refer to the applicable manufacturer’s warranty on these items.
This warranty will not apply where the unit has been used commercially.
Warranty service is available throuj h your local authorized service dealer or distributor. If
you do not know the dealer or distril)utor in your area, please write to the Customer Service
Department of MTD.
The return of a complete unit will not be accepted by the factory unless prior written per
mission has been extended by MTD.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights which vary
from state to state.
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WARNING: This unit is equipped with an interrial combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unim
proved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass -covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with
a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained
in effective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code).
Other states may have similar laws. Federal lav ^s apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available
through your nearest engine authorized service center.
^ *waVn*nV^J
To reduce the potential for any injury, comply with the following safety instructions. Failure to comply
with the instructions may result in personal injury.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR TILLERS
1. It is suggested that this manual be read in its
entirety before attempting to assemble or
operate this unit. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for
ordering replacement parts.
2. Your tiller is a precision piece of power equip
ment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise ex
treme caution at all times.
3. Read this Owner’s Manual carefully. Be
thoroughly familiar with the controls and the
proper use of the equipment.
4. Never allow children to operate a power tiller.
Only persons well acquainted with these rules
of safe operation should be allowed to use
your tiller.
5. No one should operate this unit while intoxi
cated or while taking medication that impairs
the senses or reactions.
6. Keep the area of operation ciear of ail per
sons, particularly small children and pets.
14. Do not walk in front of the tiller while the
engine is running.
15. Check the fuel before starting the engine.
Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. Do
not fill gasoline tank indoors, while the engine
is running, or while the engine is still hot.
Replace gasoline cap securely, and wipe off
any spilled gasoline before starting the
engine as it may cause a fire or explosion.
16. Do not run the engine while indoors. Exhaust
gases are deadly poisonous.
17. Be careful not to touch the muffler after the
engine has been running. It is hot.
18. Do not change the engine governor settings
or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine
speeds are dangerous.
19. Before any maintenance work is performed or
adjustments are made, remove the spark plug
wire and ground it on the engine block for
added safety.
7. Do not operate equipment when barefoot or
wearing open sandals. Always wear substan
tial footwear.
8. Do not wear loose fitting clothing that could
get caught on the tiller.
9. Do not start the engine unless the shift lever
is in the neutral (N) position.
10. Do not stand in front of the tiller while starting
the engine.
11. Do not place feet and hands on or near the
tines when starting the engine or while the
engine is running.
12. Never attempt to make a wheel or depth bar
adjustment while the engine is running.
13. Do not leave the tiller unattended with the
engine running.
20. Use caution when tilling near buildings and
fences. Rotating tines can cause damage or
injury.
21. Before attempting to remove rocks, bricks and
other objects from tines, stop the engine and
be sure the tines have stopped completely.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground to
prevent accidental starting.
22. Check the tine and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness.
23. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be
sure the equipment is in safe working condi
tion.
24. Never store the equipment with gasoline in
the tank inside of a building where fumes may
reach an open flame or spark. Allow the
engine to cool before storing in any
enclosure.
FIGURE 1.
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ASSEMBLY
NOTE
This unit is shipped WITHOUT GAS
OLINE or OIL. After assembly, see
separate engine manual for proper
fuel and engine oil recommenda
tions.
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-Contents of Hardware Pack: (See Figure 1)
A (1) Hex Bolt 3/8-16 x 3/4" Long
B (1) Flat Washer 3/8" I.D.
C Ò) Ball Knob
D Ò) Clevis Pin
E Ò) Hairpin Cotter
F (4) Hex Bolts 3/8-16 x 1.0" Long
G (4) Belleville Washers 3/8" I.D.
H (4) Lock Washers 3/8" I.D.
I (4) Hex Nuts 3/8-16 Thread
L (3) Cable Ties
M (4) Carriage Bolts 5/16-18 x 1.75" Long
N (4) Lock Washers 5/16" I.D.
O (4) Hex Nuts 5/16-18 Thread
P (4) Belleville Washers 5/16" I.D.
Q (4) Hex Nuts 5/16-18 Thread
R (1) Self-Tapping Screw (Not Shown)
FIGURE 2.
-Loose Parts in Carton: (See Figure 2)
V (1) Handle—R.H.
W (2) Side Shields
X 0) Handle Panel
Y 0) Depth Bar Assembly
Z (1) Handle—LH.
This owners manual covers various models of
tillers. The units illustrated may vary from your unit.
Follow the instructions which pertain to your unit.
1. Remove tiller, loose parts and hardware pack from
carton. Make certain all parts and literature have
been removed from the carton before the carton
is discarded.
2. Extend the control cables attached to the tiller and
place on the floor. Be careful not to bend or kink
the cables.
DEPTH BAR INSTALLATION
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1. Raise the tine shield hinge flap assembly. Insert
the depth bar assembly (Y) between the two
shoulder bolts and up through the tine shield
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assembly as shown in figure 3.
NOTE
For clarity, figure 3 was taken with
tiller raised on end. It is not neces
sary to raise the tiller.
End Cover
2. Insert clevis pin (D) through the tine shield and
depth bar assemblies. Secure with hairpin cotter
—(E). See figure 4.
3. Insert hex bolt (A) into the upper hole of the depth
bar assembly. Place flat washer (B) onto the hex
bolt and thread ball knob (C) onto the hex bolt. See
figure 4. Tighten secureiy.
SIDE SHIELD INSTALLATION
Mount side shields (W) over the weld bolts on the end
cover assemblies. Secure with belleville washers (P)
-and hex nuts (Q). See figure 5.
FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 6.
HANDLE ASSEMBLY
1. Attach the handle panel to the handles using carrige bolts (M), lock washer (W) and hex nuts (O).
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See figure 6. Do not tighten.
NOTE
To align the holes in the handle panel
and the handle, it may be necessary to
loosen the cable brackets which are
mounted to the back of the handles with
self-tapping screws.
NOTE
On Models 402 and 404, handle height
is determined by the three mounting
holes in the handle mounting bracket.
Refer to the adjustment section in your
owner’s manual.
FIGURE 7—Model 405 Shown.
Belleville
Washers (3)
2. Place handle assembly in position on the tiller.
Working on one side of the unit, insert one hex bolt
(F) through belleville washer (G) (crowned side of
washer goes against head of bolt), then through
bottom hole of handle and handle mounting
bracket. Secure loosely with lock washer (H) and
-hex nut (I). See figure 7.
3. Align the other side of the handle with the handle
mounting bracket. It may be necessary to use force
to spring the handle over the handle mounting
bracket. Secure loosely with hex bolt, belleville
washer, lock washer and hex nut.
4. Secure upper hole in handle to handle mounting
bracket (both sides) in the same manner.
5. Tighten securely all four nuts and bolts which
secure the handles to the handle mounting
brackets. Then tighten the four nuts at the handle
panel.
THROTTLE CONTROL INSTALLATION
Assemble the throttle control to the handle panel as
follows.
1. Hold the throttle control assembly beneath the han
dle panel. Turn the control sideways and insert the
lever up through the wide portion of the slot on the
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handle panel. See figure 8A.
2. After the end of the lever is through the slot, turn
and then tip the control forward as shown in figure
8B to slide it through the slot.
FIGURE 8.
FIGURE 9.
NOTE
The lever must be all the way to the
back of the control housing as
shown in figure 8B.
3. Push the control back into the slot in the handle
panel and press in place. Be certain the control is
locked securely into the slot.
4. Secure the throttle control to the handle panel
using the self-tapping screw (R). See figure 8D.
ATTACHING THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLES
The drive clutch and tine clutch control cables are
already attached to the unit. There is a tag attached
to the drive clutch cable (cable which appears to be
shorter). This cable attaches to the right handle.
NOTE
Both the drive clutch cable and the
tine clutch cable are attached to
springs, which are hooked to weld
-bolts as shown in figure 9. If either
the cable or spring has come loose
in shipping, it must be reassembled.
Refer to page 18, reference numbers
1, 2, 89 and 98.
Control Wire
FIGURE 10.
Hole in
Clutch Lever
1. Remove one nut and the lock washer from the end
of the drive clutch cable (short cable). Slip the
cable up through the slot on the cable bracket on
the right handle. Rethread hex nut and lock washer
on the end of the cable. See figure 9. Do not tighten
at this time.
2. Hook the “Z” end of drive clutch cable into the hole
in drive clutch lever.
-3. With the clutch lever released (in the “up” posi
tion), adjust the bottom nut at the cable bracket so
there is only a slight amount of slack in the control
wire. Tighten the upper nut against the bracket.
Squeeze the clutch lever against the handle. The
control wire should now be straight. See figure 10.
NOTE
Do not overtighten control wire.
Too much tension may cause it to
break.
H. Attach the tine clutch cable (cable which appears
to be longer) to the tine clutch lever on the left han
dle in the same manner as the drive clutch cable.
5. Secure all the cables to the right handle as shown
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in figure 11 with cable ties (L). In addition, secure
the throttle cable directly to the tiller frame with
cable tie.
CONTROLS-
Throttle Control
The throttle control lever is located on the right hand
side of handle panel and controls the engine speed.
See figure 12.
1. Start—Push throttle control lever forward (down)
to start position.
2. Stop—Pull lever back (upward) to stop the engine.
Tine Clutch Lever
The tine clutch lever is located on the left handle. See
figure 12.
Squeeze the lever down to engage the tines. Release
the lever to disengage the tines.
-Location and Use
Drive Clutch Lever
The drive clutch lever is located on the right handle.
See figure 12.
Squeeze the lever down to engage the wheels. Release
the lever to disengage the wheels.
FIGURE 12.
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