MTD 21A-120R000 User Manual
Operator’s Manual
Front Tine
Cultivator
Model
21A-120R000
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved 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 laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrestor for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, 550 N. 54th Street, Chandler, Arizona 85226-2434.
MTD SOUTHWEST INC 550 N. 54TH STREET, CHANDLER, ARIZONA 85226-2434
PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10456
PART NO. 10120 rev. A (11/00)
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices.................................................................... 3, 4
Assembling Your Cultivator .................................................................................. 5
Know Your Cultivator ........................................................................................... 8
Operating Your Cultivator..................................................................................... 9
Making Adjustments ............................................................................................ 12
Maintaining Your Cultivator.................................................................................. 13
Off-Season Storage............................................................................................. 15
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................... 15
Parts List.............................................................................................................. 16
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new cultivator. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on
the unit and copy the information from it to the space provided below. The information on
the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support
Department or an authorized dealer.
•You can locate the model number by standing in the operating position behind the unit and looking
on the left side of the engine next to the On/Off Stop Control Switch. A sample model plate is
explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the
equipment in the space below.
CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.
Call 1- (800)-345-8746, or in Canada 1- (800)-668-1238, to reach a Customer Support
representative. Please have your unit’s model number and serial number ready when you
call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial
number in order to process your call.
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
Copy the parent part number here:
3
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
This Symbol Points Out Important Safety Information Which, If Not Followed, Could Endanger The
Personal Safety And/or Property Of Yourself And Others. Read And Follow All Instructions In This
Manual Before Attempting To Operate Your Cultivator. Failure To Comply With These Instructions
May Result In Personal Injury. When You See This Symbol–Heed Its Warning.
DANGER: Your cultivator was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this
manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious personal injury. This cultivator is capable of amputating hands and feet. Failure to
observe the following instructions could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit
chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
GENERAL OPERATION
• Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the
controls and proper use of the unit.
• Do not operate this unit when tired, ill, or under the
influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
• Children and teens under the age of 15 must not
use the unit, except for teens guided by an adult.
• All guards and safety attachments must be installed
properly before operating the unit.
• Inspect the unit before use. Replace damaged
parts. Check for fuel leaks. Make sure all fasteners
are in place and secure. Replace parts that are
cracked, chipped, or damaged in any way. Do not
operate the unit with loose or damaged parts.
• Carefully inspect the area before starting the unit.
Remove all debris and hard or sharp objects such
as glass, wire, etc.
• Clear the area of children, bystanders, and pets.
At a minimum, keep all children, bystanders and
pets outside a 50 feet (15 m) radius; there still may
be a risk to bystanders from thrown objects.
Bystanders should wear eye protection. If you are
approached, stop the unit immediately.
• Squeeze the throttle control and check that it
returns automatically to the idle position. Make all
adjustments or repairs before using unit.
• Never start or run the unit inside a closed room or
building. Breathing exhaust fumes can kill. Operate
this unit only in a well ventilated area
outdoors.
•Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked as
meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards, and ear/hearing
protection when operating this unit. Wear a face or
dust mask if the operation is dusty.
•Wear heavy, long pants, boots, gloves and long
sleeve shirt. Do not wear, short pants, sandals or
go barefoot.
•To reduce the risk of injury associated with objects
being drawn into rotating parts, do not wear loose
clothing, jewelry, scarves, etc. Secure hair above
shoulder level.
• Use the unit only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Keep outside surfaces free from oil and fuel.
•Be sure the tines are not in contact with anything
before starting the unit.
•Avoid accidental starting. Be in the starting
position whenever pulling the starter rope. The
operator and unit must be in a stable position while
starting. See Operating Your Cultivator.
• Use the right tool. Only use this tool for the
purpose intended.
• Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the
unit towards you.
• Do not overreach, take extra care when working on
steep slopes or inclines. Always keep proper footing and balance.
• Always hold the unit with both hands when
operating. Keep a firm grip on the handlebar grips.
• Keep hands, face, and feet at a distance from all
moving parts. Do not touch or try to stop the tines
when they are rotating. Do not operate without
guards in place.
• Do not touch the engine, muffler or gearbox. These
parts get extremely hot from operation. When
turned off they remain hot for a short time.
• Do not operate the engine faster than the speed
needed to do the job. Do not run the engine at high
speed when not in use.
• Always stop the engine when operation is delayed
or when walking from one location to another.
• Do not force unit. It will do the job better and with
less likelihood of injury at a rate for which it was
designed.
CHILDREN
•Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not
alert to the presence of small children. Children are
often attracted to the tilling activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the work area and under the
watchful eye of a responsible adult other than the
operator.
• Be alert and turn the unit off if a child enters the
area.
• Never allow children under the age of 15 to
operate the cultivator.
4
SERVICE
• Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors
are explosive.
• Store fuel only in containers specifically designed
and approved for the storage of such materials.
•Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilled fuel.
Do not start the engine until fuel vapors dissipate.
• Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before
filling the fuel tank. Never remove the cap of the
fuel tank, or add fuel, when the engine is hot. Never
operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in
place. Loosen the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve
any pressure in the tank.
• Mix and add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated area
outdoors where there are no sparks or flames.
Slowly remove the fuel cap only after stopping
engine. Do not smoke while fueling or mixing fuel.
Wipe up any spilled fuel from the unit immediately.
• Move the unit at least 30 feet (9.1 m) from the fueling source and site before starting the engine. Do
not smoke, keep sparks and open flames from the
area while adding fuel or operating the unit.
• Stop the engine for maintenance, repair, to install or
remove the tines. The unit must be stopped and
the tines no longer turning to avoid injury.
• The tines become very sharp from use. Always
wear heavy gloves when handling, removing,
installing or cleaning the tines.
• Use only replacement parts and accessories
approved by the manufacturer for this unit. These
are available from your authorized service dealer.
Use of any non approved parts or accessories
could lead to serious injury to the user, or damage
to the unit, and void your warranty.
• This unit has a clutch. The tines remain stationary
when the engine is idling. If they do not, have the
unit adjusted by an authorized service technician.
• Keep unit clean of vegetation and other materials.
They may become lodged between the tines and
gearbox or guard.
•To reduce fire hazard, replace faulty muffler and
spark arrestor, keep the engine and muffler free
from grass, leaves, excessive grease or carbon
build up.
• Never store the unit, with fuel in the tank, inside a
building where fumes may reach an open flame or
spark.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing or transporting. Be sure to secure the unit while transporting.
• Store the unit in a dry place, either locked up or up
high to prevent unauthorized use or damage.
Keep out of the reach of children.
• Clean the tines with a hose and water. Wipe the
tines with a light machine oil to prevent rust.
• Never douse or squirt the engine with water or any
other liquid. Keep handles dry, clean and free from
debris. Clean after each use, see Off-Season
Storage.
• Keep these instructions. Refer to them often and
use them to instruct other users. If you loan someone this unit, also loan them these instructions.
WARNING – YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Restrict the use of this power machine to persons
who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
•WARNING - READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL
Read the Operator’s Manual(s) and follow all warnings and safety instructions.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury to the operator and/or bystanders.
• WEAR EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION
Thrown objects and loud noise can cause severe eye injury and hearing loss. Wear eye protection
meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards and ear protection when operating this unit.
• KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY
Keep all bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 50 feet (15 m) from the operating area.
• THROWN OBJECTS CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY
Do not operate unit without proper attachments and guards in place.
• HOT SURFACE WARNING
Do not touch a hot muffler, cylinder or gearbox. You may get burned. These parts get extremely hot
from operation. When turned off they remain hot for a short time.
• CULTIVATORS – ROTATING TINES CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY
Stop the engine and allow the tines to stop before installing or removing tines, or before cleaning or
performing any maintenance. Keep hands and feet away from rotating tines.
Your yard and garden cultivator has been completely
assembled except for the handlebar, throttle cable
and wheel bracket assembly. A large phillips
screwdriver is needed for assembly.
Removing Unit From Carton
1. Carefully unpack the contents and insure that
nothing is damaged. Unwrap the throttle cable
without bending or kinking it.
WARNING: Do not cut the plastic strap
off the handle bar. The strap is under
tension and can cause serious personal
injury if cut.
2. Squeeze the handle bar and slide the plastic
strap down and off. See Figure 1.
NOTE: Do not squeeze the handlebar too tight.
Excessive squeezing can cause the handlebar to kink.
5
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR CULTIVATOR
SETTING UP YOUR CULTIVATOR
Installing The Wheel Bracket Assembly
WARNING: To avoid injury from the tines,
wear heavy gloves and a long sleeve
shirt when installing the wheel bracket
assembly.
1. With the unit on it’s side, place the wheel bracket
assembly on the underside of the tine guard. See
Figure 2.
2. Install a carriage bolt through each of the slotted
holes in the wheel bracket and into the tine
guard.
3. On the top side of the tine guard, install a lock
washer and a wing nut onto each of the bolts.
See Figure 2.
4. Make sure the square shoulder of the bolts are
through the slotted holes in the wheel bracket.
Tighten the wing nuts. See Figure 3.
NOTE: Do not over tighten the wing nuts. Loosening
the wing nuts allow the wheel height to be adjusted.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Squeeze
Together
Plastic
Strap
Wing Nut &
Lock Washer
Tine
Guard
Wheel
Bracket
Assembly
6
Installing The Handlebar
1. Position the mounting brackets by rotating them
until the foot on the bracket rests against the
engine. See Figure 4.
2. Place the handlebar between the bottom and
middle clamp pieces. See Figure 5.
3. While holding the three pieces together, position
the handlebar underneath the shaft tube and align
with the top clamp.
NOTE: The holes in the clamp assembly will line up
only when assembled correctly.
4. One at a time, hold a hex nut in the bottom clamp
recess with a finger and install a screw through
the clamp assembly. Start screw with a large
Phillips screwdriver. do the same with the other
three (3) nuts and screws. Do not tighten until you
make the handle adjustment.
5. Position the two (2) handlebar clamps with one on
each side near the top of the handlebar. Swing the
handlebar up until it sets to the outside of the two
mounting brackets on the engine. See Figure 6.
NOTE: Positioning the handlebar onto the mounting
brackets may require slightly spreading the handlebar.
6. Slide the two (2) handlebar clamps down over the
mounting brackets. See Figure 7.
NOTE: It may be required to loosen or remove the
thumb screws on the handlebar clamps to spread
them to fit over the mounting brackets.
7. Center the handlebar and tighten the two (2)
mounting bracket clamps and the four (4)
handlebar clamp screws evenly until the
handlebar is secure. See Figures 7 and 8.
Bottom
Clamp
Nut (4)
Middle
Clamp
Thumb
Screw
Mounting
Bracket
Mounting Brackets
Mounting
Bracket
Spacer
Nut
Foot
Foot
Handlebar
Screw (4)
Top
Clamp
Handlebar Clamp
Handlebar
Handlebar
Figure 5
Figure 4
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
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