MTD 21A-240D731, 21A-241E729, 21A-241E700 Owner’s Manual

Safety • Assembly • Operation • Tips & Techniques • Maintenance • Troubleshooting • Parts Lists • Warranty

A O A AL

Model241shown

Front Tine Tiller -- Model Series 240

IMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunit isequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnot beusedonornearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-

coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(if any). If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw (Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.Asparkarrester forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

FORMNO.769-02153

PRINTEDIN U.S.A.

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

12/20/2005

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new tiller, it will help you assemble,

prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Table of Contents

Safety Labels ...................................................... 3

Safety ................................................................... 4

Assembly ............................................................. 6

Operation ............................................................. 8

Adjustments ...................................................... 12

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU ASSEMBLINGYOUR NEW EQUIPMENT, please locatethe modelplate onthe equipmentandcopythe

informationtothe sample model plate provided tothe right. Youcan locatethe modelplateby looking at the rear of the

tineshield.This informationis importantfor usewhen visiting the manufacturer'sweb site,obtainingassistance from the

CustomerSupportDepartment,orwhencommunicatingwith an authorizedservice dealer.

Maintenance ...................................................... 13

Troubleshooting ................................................ 14

Off-Season Storage .......................................... 15

Parts List ........................................................... 16

Warranty ............................................ Back Cover

Model Number

www.mtdproducts.com

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136 330=220=4683

800-800-731 0

Customer Support

Please do IVOTretum the unit to the retailer from which it was

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou have difficultyassemblingthis productorhave anyquestions regardingthe controls, operation,or maintenanceof this unit,youcanseek helpfromthe experts.Choosefrom the options below:

• Visit www.mtdproducts.com. Click on the Service & Supportmenuoption.

• Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1-800-800-7310.

• The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance, power-rating,specifica- tions,warranty and service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith your unit, for moreinformation.

MTD _er_afio_a_ Aw®_8Wi_mir_@_r®d_cf_ O¢_rCompa_y

Product Menu

S,'.::hr_,iceS ,::_Jpp,._rt Produd: Registration

Coa_ad__J_ ?riwcy Porky

Safety Labels Found On Your Tiller

TO AVOID SERIOUS iNJURY

i_ii__iii_iI i__ii_

1.READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL.

2.KNOWLOCATIONANDFUNCTIONSOFALL

CONTROLS.

3.KEEPALLSAFETYDEVICESANDSHIELDS iNPLACEANDWORKING.

4.NEVERALLOWCHILDRENOR UNINSTRUCTEDADULTSTOOPERATE

TILLER.

5. SHUT OFF ENGINE BEFOREUNCLOGGING

TINES OR MAKING REPAIRS.

6.KEEPBYSTANDERSAWAYFROMMACHINE.

7,KEEP AWAY FROM ROTATING PARTS.

8.USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN REVERSING OR PULLING THE MACHINE

TOWARDS YOU.

Labels

WARNING

S32147

DONOT remove safety (or any) labels from tiller for any reason.

Operat on

WARNING

Thissymbol points outimportant safety instructionswhich, if notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal safetyand/or property

of yourself and others.

Readand follow all instructionsinthis man-

ualbeforeattempting to operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

these instructions

mayresult in personal injury.When you see

i this symbol, HEED ITS

WARNING!

WARNING: EngineExhaust,some of its constituents, andcertain vehicle compo- nentscontain or emit chemicals knownto Stateof Californiato cause cancer and

birth defects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas built to beoperatedaccording to the rulesforsafe operationin this manual.As with any type of powerequipment,carelessness or error on the part ofthe operatorcan

result in seriousinjury.This machine is capable of amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultinserious injury ordeath.

Training

1. Read,understand,andfollow all instructionsonthemachine andinthe manual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand

operate.Keepthismanualina safeplaceforfutureand

regularreferenceand fororderingreplacementparts.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsand theirproperoperation.Know howtostopthe machine.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis machine.Children14yearsold andovershouldreadand understandthe operationinstructionsand safetyrules in

this manualandshouldbe trainedand supervisedby a

parent.

4. Neverallowadultsto operatethis machinewithoutproper instruction.

5. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast75feet

fromthe machinewhileitis inoperation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthearea.

Preparation

1. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawheretheequipmentisto be used.Removeallstones,sticks,wire, andotherforeign

objectswhichcouldbetrippedoverandcausepersonal

injury.

2 Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand closefitting

slacksandshirt.Loosefittingclothesor jewelrycan be caughtin movableparts.Neveroperatethis machinein bare

feetorsandals.

3. Disengageclutchleversand shift(if provided)intoneutral ("N")beforestartingthe engine.

4. Neverleavethis machineunattendedwiththe engine running.

5. Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhile engineis running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe

operator'smanual.

6. Toavoid personalinjury orpropertydamageuseextreme

carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammable andthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan occurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselforyourclothes whichcanignite.Washyourskin andchangeclothes

immediately.

7. Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.

8. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersourcesof ignition.

9. Neverfuelmachineindoors.

10.Neverremovegascapor addfuel whiletheengineishot or running.

11.Allowenginetocool at leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling

12.Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethanY2inch belowbottomof fillerneckto providespacefor fuel

expansion.

13. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

14. Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineand equipment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe engine.

15. Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainerinside nearan openflame,spark or pilotlight(e.g.furnace,wateror

spaceheater,clothesdryer,etc.).

16. Allowmachineto cool 5minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

1. Do notput handsor feetnear rotatingparts.Contactwith

the rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.

2. Do notoperatemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcohol or drugs.

3. Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibility orlight. Alwaysbe sureof yourfootingand keepafirm hold onthe

handles.

4. Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,and childrenat least75feet fromthe machinewhileitis inoperation.Stopthe machineif anyoneentersthearea.

5. Becarefulwhentillingin hardground.Thetines maycatch in thegroundandpropelthe tillerforward. Ifthis occurs,let goof the handlebars anddo notrestrainthe machine.

6. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing gravelsurfaces.Stayalertfor hiddenhazardsor traffic.

7. Neveroperatethe machineat hightransportspeedson hard or slipperysurfaces.

8. Exercisecautionto avoidslippingorfalling.

9. Lookdownand behindandusecarewhenin reverseor pullingmachinetowardsyou.

10.Startthe engineaccordingtotheinstructionsfoundin this manualandkeepfeet wellawayfromthetinesat alltimes.

11.Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnect the sparkplugwireandgroundagainstthe engine Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforestarting andoperating.

12.Disengageallclutchlevers(if fitted)andstopenginebefore youleavetheoperatingposition(behindthe handles).Wait untilthetinescometoa completestopbeforeunclogging thetines, makinganyadjustments,orinspections.

13.Neverrun anengineindoorsor inapoorlyventilatedarea.

Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand

deadlygas.

14.Mufflerand enginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Do nottouch.

15.Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand undergroundutilities.Rotatingtinescancauseproperty damageor personalinjury.

16.Donotoverloadmachinecapacityby attemptingtotill soilto deepattoofast of arate.

17.Ifthe machineshouldstartmakinganunusualnoiseor vibration,stopthe engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire andgroundit againstthe engine.Inspectthoroughlyfor damage.Repairanydamagebeforestartingandoperating.

18.Keepallshields,guards,andsafetydevicesin placeand operatingproperly.

19.Neverpick upor carrymachinewhiletheengineis running.

20.Use onlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe manufacturer.Failuretodoso can resultinpersonalinjury.

21. Ifsituationsoccur whichare notcoveredinthis manual,use careandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealerortelephone

1-800-800-7310forassistanceandthe nameof your

nearestservicingdealer.

Maintenance & Storage

1. Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheirproper operationregularly.

2. Checkboltsandscrewsfor propertightnessatfrequent intervalsto keepthe machineinsafe workingcondition. Also,visuallyinspectmachineforany damage.

3. Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,stopthe engine andmakecertainthe tinesand all movingpartshave stopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundit againstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.

4. Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettings orover-speed the engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafe operatingspeedofthe engine.

5. Maintainor replacesafetyand instructionlabels,as necessary.

6. Followthismanualfor safeloading,unloading,transporting, andstorageofthis machine.

7. Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewhere there isanopenflame,sparkorpilotlightsuchas awater

heater,furnace,clothesdryer,etc.

8. Alwaysrefertothe operator'smanualfor properinstructions on off-seasonstorage.

9. Ifthe fueltank hasto bedrained,dothis outdoors.

10.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulationsforgas,oil, etc.to protectthe environment.

Your Responsibility

1. Restrictthe useofthispowermachineto personswhoread, understand,andfollowthe warningsandinstructionsinthis

manualandonthemachine.

2. Thesafetylabelsonthetillerareshowninthe "Safety Labels"section.Toensuresafeoperationofthe tiller,follow theinstructionsonalllabelsclosely.

ces

WARNING

Thissymbol points out importantsafety

instructionswhich, if notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal safety and/or property

ofyourselfand others.

Readandfollowall

instructions inthisman- ual before attemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

these instructions mayresult in personal

njury.Whenyou see

this symbol, HEED ITS

WARNING!

NOTE: Stand behind

the tilleras if you were

goingto operate it. Your righthand corresponds

to the right sideof the tiller; your left hand

correspondsto the left sideof the tiller.

NOTE:This operator's manualmay cover

various modelsof tillers.

The unitsillustrated mayvary slightlyfrom

your unit. Followonly those instructionswhich

pertainto your model number.

Assembly

1. Removethe star handle knobs andcarriage boltsfrom the lowerhandle, Figure3-1.

Figure3-1:Removehardwarefrom lowerhandle.

2. Positionthe upper handleontothe lower handle,Step A Figure3-2.Alignthe holes

onlowerhandlewith the holes on the upper handle(choosethe upper or lower holes dependingon the desired handleheight).

3. Insertcarriage boltsthroughtheholesand se- cure with star knobs,Step B Figure 3-2. Make certain carriageboltsare seated securely into

one ofthetwo positions provided.

4. Insert leftendof tine clutch control into the holeon the leftside of the upper handle,

Figure3-3.

Figure3-3: Installleftsideofthe tineclutchcontrol.

5. InserttheZ-fittingon the clutch cable into the hole on the tine clutch control. Hook the

"Z" end into the opening from the insideto theoutside as shown in Figure3-4.

iMPORTANT

::Thisunit is shipped

without gasoline or oi

iinthe engine. Fillup igasolineand oil as

instructedintheaccom- panyingenginemanual

iBEFOREoperatingyour machine.

'_ _j

Figure3-2:Attachandsecureupperhandle.

....... J

Figure3-4: Hookcableintotineclutchcontrol.

+ 14 hidden pages