MTD 21A-241E052 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.769-02153A
PRINTEDIN U.S.A.
MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
3/2/2006
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
ThisOperatorsManualcoversarangeofproductspecificationsforvariousmodels.Characteristicsandfeaturesdiscussedand/orillustratedinthismanualmaynotbe
applicabletoall models.MTDLLCreservesthe rightto changeproductspecifications,designsandequipmentwithoutnoticeandwithoutincurringobligation.
Maintenance ...................................................... 13
Troubleshooting ................................................ 14
Off-Season Storage .......................................... 15
Parts List ........................................................... 16
Warranty ............................................ Back Cover
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFOREASSEMBLINGYOUR NEWEQUIPMENT,
pleaselocatethe modelplateon the equipmentand
copythe informationto thesamplemodelplatepro-
videdto the right.Youcan locatethe modelplateby
lookingat the rearof the tineshield.This information
is importantfor usewhenvisitingthemanufacturer's
website,obtainingassistancefrom the Customer
SupportDepartment,orwhencontactingan autho-
rizedservicedealer.
r
Model Number
www.mtdproducts.corn
Serial Number
MTD LLC
P.O= BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, ON 44136
330-220-4683
800-800-7310
Customer Support
Please do IVOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which it was
purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
ifyou havedifficulty assemblingthis productor haveany questionsregardingthe controls, operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcan seek helpfrom the experts. Choosefromthe options below:
• Visit www.mtdproducts.com.
• Call a 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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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!
5
Assembly
Standbehindthe tiller
asifyouweregoingto
operateit. Yourright hand
correspondsto the right
sideof the tiller; your left
hand correspondsto the
leftside of the tiller.
Thisoperator'smanual
maycovervariousmodels
oftillers. The units il-
lustratedmay varyslightly
from your unit.
Assembly
1. Removethe star handle knobs andcarriage
boltsfrom the lowerhandle, Figure3-1.
J
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.
f
\
J
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.
II[VIPORTANT:Thisunitis
shippedwithoutgasoline
i oroil inthe engine.Fill
up gasolinean¢loUas
i nstr.ucted ntheaccom-
panyingenginemanual
BEFOREoperatingyour
machine.
f
Figure3-2:Attachandsecureupperhandle.
....... J
Figure3-4: Hookcableintotineclutchcontrol.
\
6
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