MTD 21A-250H765 Owner’s Manual

Safety o Assembly o Operation oTips &Techniques oMaintenance *Troubleshooting o Parts Lists oWarranty

Front Tine Titter -- Model 250

READ SAFETY RULES AND mNSTRUCTmONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATmON

Warning: This unitis equippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedonornearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush=
coveredor grass=coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemis equippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(if any),

If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator,Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveis requiredbylaw
(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkarrester

forthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealerorcontacttheservicedepartment,RO,Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136=0019,

FORMNO,769=01660

PRINTEDiN U,S,A, MTD LLC, P.O.BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136-0019 1/13/2005

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new tiller. It wHI help you assemble,

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

Table of Contents

Setup and Adjustments ..................................... 5 Off Season Storage and Labels ...................... 12

Parts Lists ......................................................... 14

Maintenance ...................................................... 10 Warranty ............................................ Back Cover

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOU BEGINASSEMBLINGYOUR NEW

f

EQUIPMENT,phase locatethe model plate onthe equipment
and copy the informationto the sampb model plateprovided

to the right.Youcan locatethe model plate by looking at

Model Number

Sedal Number

the rearof the fine shMd. This informationis importantfor
usewhen visitingthe manufacturer'sweb site,obtaining

assistancefromthe CustomerSupport Department,or when
communicatingwith anauthorizedservice dealer.

®

k,,www.mtd products.com

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, ON 4413B

330-220-4683

800-800-731 0

Customer Support

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

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou havedifficulty assemblingthis product or have anyquestionsregardingthe controls,operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcan seekhelpfromthe experts.Choose from the options below:

, Visit mtdproducts.com Click on the Service & Support menu option.
, Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1-800-800-731&

, The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor all engine-relatedissueswith regardsto performance, power-rating,specificao

tions,warrantyand service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith
your unit, for more information.

Product R.e gistratior_

2

WARNING: EngineExhaust,someof its constituents, and certain vehicle compo-

nentscontain or emit chemicals known to Stateof California to cause cancer and
birthdefects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas built to beoperatedaccordingto the rubs for safe operationinthis
manual.As withanytype of powerequipment,carelessnessorerroron thepart of theoperatorcan
resultin serious injury.This machine is capable ofamputating hands and feet and throwingobjects.

Failuretoobserve the following safety instructionscould resultin seriousinjury or death.

Operation s. Neverallowchildrenunder14years oldto operatethis

Safe HandlingOf Gasoline:

1. Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable

andthe vaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes

whichcanignite.

2. Washyour skinand changeclothesimmediately.

3. Useonlyan approvedgasolinecontainer.

4. Neverfillcontainersinsideavehicleoron atruck ortrailer
bedwitha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe

groundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

5. Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truckor trailer

andrefuelit on theground.If thisis notpossible,then refuel
suchequipmenton atrailer witha portablecontainer,rather
thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

6. Keepthe nozzleincontactwiththerim ofthefuel tankor

containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingis complete.Do

notuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

7. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipes,and othersources

of ignition.

8. Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill

accumulateinthe area.

9. Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhileengineis hotor
running.Allow enginetocoolat leasttwo minutesbefore

refueling.

10.Neveroverfillfueltank. Fill tanktono morethan_J2inch
belowbottomof fillerneckto provideforfuel expansion.

11.Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

12.Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeit offthe engineandequipment.
Moveunitto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestarting

engine.

13.Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearan open

flame,sparkor pilot lightason awaterheater,spaceheater,
furnace,clothesdryer,or othergasappliances.

14.Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfree ofgrass,leaves,

or otherdebris build-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageand

removeanyfuelsoakeddebris.

15.Allowa mowerto coolatleast5 minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralOperation

1. Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthemachine

andin themanual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand
operate.Keepthismanualinasafe placefor futureand

regularreferenceand fororderingreplacementparts.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Know
howtodisengagethemquicklyandstopthe machine.

machine.Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandtheoperationinstructionsand safetyrulesin

thismanualand shouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya
parent.

4,<

Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper
instruction.

5.

Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,and childrenat least75feet
fromthe machinewhileit is inoperation.Stopmachineif
anyoneentersthe area.

Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto be
used.Removeal stones,sticks,wire,andotherforeign

objectswhichcould betrippedoverand causepersonal
injury.

Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fitting
slacksandshirts.Loosefittingclothes orjewelrycanbe
caughtin movableparts.Neveroperatethismachinein

barefeetorsandals.

8<

Disengageclutchleversandshift(if provided)into neutral
(N) beforestartingthe engine.

9.

Neverleavethis machineunattendedwiththeengine
running.

10.

Neverattempttomakeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwhere specificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual.

11.

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextreme
carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes
whichcan ignite.Washyourskinand changeclothes
immediately.

a. Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.
b. Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipes, and other

sourcesof ignition.

c. Neverfuel machineindoors.
d. [',leverremovegascap or addwhile the engineis

hot or running.

e. Allowengine tocool at leasttwo minutesbefore

refueling.

f. Neveroverfill fuel tank. Filltank to no morethan

1/2 inch belowbottom offiller neckto provide
spacefor fuel expansion.

g. Replacegasoline cap andtighten securely.
h. Ifgasolineis spilled,wipe it off theengine and

equipment.Movemachineto anotherarea.Wait5
minutesbeforestartingthe engine.

/

out important safety

instructionswhich, if
notfollowed,could

Readandfollow all
instructionsin this man-

ual beforeattempting to

operatethis machine,

Failureto comply with

resultin personalinjury,
When youseethis
symbol,

HEED ITS WARNING!

3

WARNING

notfollowed couUd

endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property

of yourself and others,

Readand follow all
instructionsin this man-

uaUbefore attemptingto

operatethis machine.

these instructionsmay

resultin personalinjury,
Whenyou seethis
symbol.

H EED iTS WARNING!

i. Neverstorethe machineorfuel containerinside

wherethere is anopenflame, spark, or pilotlight

(e.g.furnace,waterheater,space heater,clothes

dryer,etc.)

j. Toreducea fire hazard,keepmachinefree of

grass, leaves,or otherdebris build-up.Clean upoil
fuel spillageandremoveany fuel soakeddebris.

k. Allow machineto cool at least 5minutesbefore

storing.

12.Donot puthandsandfeet nearrotatingparts.Contactwith
the rotatingpartscanamputatefingers,hands,andfeet.

13.Donotoperatemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcohol
or drugs.

14.Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibility orlight.
Alwaysbe sureofyourfootingandkeepa firmholdonthe

handles.

15.Becarefulwhentillinginhardground.Thetines maycatch
in thegroundandpropelthe tillerforward.If thisoccurs, let
go ofthe handlebarsanddo notrestrainthemachine.

16.Exerciseextremecautionwhen operatingonor crossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalertfor hiddenhazardsor traffic.Do
notcarry passengers.

17.Neveroperatethemachineat hightransportspeedson
hardor slipperysurfaces.

18.Exercisecautionto avoidslippingor falling.

19.Lookdown,behind,andusecarewhen in reverseor pulling
machinetowardsyou.

20.Startthe engineaccordingtothe instructionsfoundinthis
manualandkeepfeet wellawayfromthetinesat alltimes.

21.Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,discon-
nectthe sparkplugwire andgroundagainstthe engine.
Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforestarting andoperating.

22. Disengageallclutch leversandstopenginebeforeyou
leavethe operatingposition(behindthe handles).Waituntil
thetines cometo acompletestopbeforeuncloggingthe
tines,makinganyadjustments,or inspections.

23. Neverrunanengineindoorsorina poorlyventilatedarea.

Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand

deadlygas.

24. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Do
nottouch.

25. Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand
undergroundutilities.Rotatingtinescancauseproperty
damageor personalinjury.

28. Donotoverloadmachinecapacityby attemptingtotill soilto
deepatto fast ofa rate.

27. Ifthe machineshouldstart makinganunusualnoiseor
vibration,stopthe engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire
andgroundit againstthe engine.Inspectthoroughlyfor
damage.Repairanydamagebeforestartingandoperating.

28. Keepallshields,guards,and safetydevicesin placeand
operatingproperly.

29. Neverpickuporcarry machinewhilethe engineis running.

30. Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer.Failuretodo socan resultinpersonalinjury.

31. Ifsituationsoccur whichare notcoveredinthis manual,
usecareand goodjudgment.Phone [phone]for
CustomerSupportand thenameofyournearestservicing

dealer.

Service

1. Nevertamperwith safetydevices. Checktheir proper
operationregularly.

2. Checkboltsand screwsforpropertightnessat frequent
intervalsto keepthe machinein safeworkingcondition.

Also,visually inspectmachineforany damage.

3. Beforecleaning, repairing,or inspecting,stopthe engine
andmakecertainthe tines and all movingpartshave

stopped.Disconnectthe spark plugwireand groundit
againstthe engineto prevent unintendedstarting.

4. Donot changethe engine governorsettings or over-speed

the engine.The governorcontrolsthe maximumsafe

operatingspeed ofthe engine.

5. Maintainor replacesafety andinstruction labels,as
necessary.

6. Followthismanualforsafeloading,unloading,transport-
ing,and storageofthis machine.

7. Neverstore themachineor fuel containerinsidewhere

there isan openflame, spark, or pilotlight suchas awater

heater,furnace,clothes dryer,etc.

8. Always referto the operator'smanualfor properinstruc-

tions on off-seasonstorage.

9. Ifthe fueltank needsto bedrained,do this outdoors.

10.Observeproperdisposal lawsand regulationsfor gas, oil,
etc.to protectthe environment.

4

Assembly

f

1_Removethe handb adjustmentbver, Step 1

Figure 1.

2. Lift upthe upperhandle to raise intooperation
position,Step2 Figure 1.

3. Reinsertadjustmentleverthrough the front

or rear hob (depending on desired setting),
and tighten the leverinto thelock nut on the

retainerbracket.

4. Once the lever hasbeen inserted, the handle

can be movedto thedesired positionand
tightened.

NOTE: Stand behind

thetiller as ifyou were
going to operate it.

Yourright hand cor-

respondstothe right

Figure1 -Assemblingthe UpperHandle

Making Adjustments

Warning: Disconnect the spark
plug wire and ground it against

the engine before performing

any adjustments.

Engine Adjustment
Referto the separateengine manualfor engine

adjustmentinstructions.

Depth Stake Adjustment
Referto the Operating sectionfor instructions

on adjustingthedepth stake.

Tine Width Adjustment
The tilling width ofthe unitis 22 inches.Tilling
width can increaseto 24 inchesby removing

the clevis and cotter pins, sliding each outer
tine outone inch, and securing

with the pins. Forcultivation, reduce thetine
width to 13inches by removingthe outer tines
completely,FigureZ

f

L

J

22_inch_

-_ 13-inch-_

Figure2-Tine widthadjustment

24-inch

to the left sideof the
tiller,

NOTE: This operator's
manual may covervari-

ousmodels of tiers.

The unitsillustrated

those instructions
which pertainto your

model number.

IMPORTANT

This unit is shipped
without gasoflneor

oil in the engine. Fill
up gasolineandoil

as instructed in the

accompanyingengine
manual BEFOREoper-

atingyour machine.

J

\

5