MTD 21A-251E000 Owner’s Manual

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

OF A O A AL

Front Tine Tiller -- Model 250

iMPORTANT

READ SAFETY RULES AND iNSTRUCTiONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION

Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
If a sparkarresterisused,it shouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderby theoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.A sparkarrester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contactthe servicedepartment,RO.Box361131Cleveland,

Ohio44136-0019.

FORMNO.769-01660D

PRINTEDIN U.S.A.

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

10/27/2006

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

MTDLLCreservesthe rightto changeproductspecifications,designs,andequipmentwithoutnoticeandwithoutincurringobligation.

Finding and Recording Model Number

BEFOREYOUBEGINASSEMBLINGYOURNEW
EQUIPMENT,pleaselocatethe model plate on the equipment

and copy the informationto the samplemodel plate provided
to the right.You can locatethe modelplate by looking at

the rearof the tine shield. This informationis importantfor
usewhenvisiting the manufacturer'sweb site,obtaining

assistancefrom the CustomerSupport Department, or when
communicatingwith anauthorizedservice dealer.

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

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

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

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

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

f

Model Number

www.mtdproducts.com

Serial Number

MTD LLC

P.O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-220-4683

800-800-7310

Customer Support

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

purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

Ifyou have difficulty assemblingthis product or have any questions regardingthe controls, operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcanseek helpfromthe experts.Choosefrom the options below:

• Visit mtdproducts.com.

• Call a Customer Support Representative at 1-800-800-7310.
= The engine manufacturer is responsiblefor all engine-relatedissues with regardsto performance,power-rating,specifica-

tions,warranty and service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator'sManual,packedseparatelywith
your unit, for moreinformation.

2

Safety Labels Found On Your Tiller

' i i i i

i _ i i i i

_ _ i_I i i i i _ i

WARNING

DO NOT removesafety
(or any) laSeJsfrom
tier for any reason.

3

Operati

WARNING

Thissymbol points
outimportant safety
instructionswhich, if
notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property

of yourself and others.

i Readandfollow all
I instructionsinthis man-

ualbefore attempting to

i operatethis machine.
i Failureto complywith

i these instructions

mayresult in personal
injury.Whenyousee

i this symbol, HEED iTS

WARNING!

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

birth defects or other reproductiveharm.

DANGER: This machinewas builtto beoperatedaccordingto the rulesfor safe operation inthis
manual.As with anytypeof power equipment,carelessnessor error on the part of the operator can

result in seriousinjury.This machine iscapableof amputatinghands andfeet andthrowing objects.

Failureto observethe followingsafetyinstructionscould result in serious injury or death.

Training

1. Read,understand,andfollow all instructionsonthe machine
andin the manual(s)beforeattemptingto assembleand

operate.Keepthismanualina safeplaceforfuture and

regularreferenceand fororderingreplacementparts.

2. Befamiliarwithall controlsand theirproperoperation.Know
howtostopthe machine.

3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandthe operationinstructionsand safetyrules in

this manualandshouldbetrainedand supervisedbya

parent.

4. Neverallowadultsto operatethismachinewithoutproper
instruction.

5. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast75feet

fromthe machinewhile it isin operation.Stopmachineif
anyoneentersthearea.

Preparation

1. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawheretheequipmentisto be
used.Removeallstones,sticks,wire,and otherforeign

objectswhichcouldbetrippedoverandcausepersonal

injury.

2 Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesand closefitting

slacksandshirt. Loosefittingclothesor jewelrycan be
caughtinmovableparts.Neveroperatethismachineinbare

feetor sandals.

3. Disengageclutchleversand shift (ifprovided)intoneutral
("N")beforestartingthe engine.

4. Neverleavethismachineunattendedwiththe engine
running.

5. Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe

operator'smanual.

6. Toavoid personalinjury orpropertydamageuseextreme

carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselforyourclothes
whichcanignite.Washyourskinandchangeclothes

immediately.

7. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

8. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof
ignition.

9. Neverfuel machineindoors.

10.Neverremovegascaporaddfuel whiletheengineishot or
running.

11.Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling

12.Neveroverfillfuel tank. Filltankto nomorethan Y2inch
belowbottomof fillerneckto providespaceforfuel

expansion.

13. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

14. Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offthe engineand
equipment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5
minutesbeforestartingthe engine.

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

spaceheater,clothesdryer,etc.).

16. Allowmachineto cool 5 minutesbeforestoring.

Operation

1. Do notput handsor feetnear rotatingparts.Contactwith

the rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.

2. Do notoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol
or drugs.

3. Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibility or light.
Alwaysbe sureof yourfootingand keepafirm hold onthe

handles.

4. Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,and childrenat least75feet
fromthe machinewhile itis inoperation.Stopthemachineif
anyoneentersthearea.

5. Becarefulwhentillinginhardground.Thetines maycatch
in the groundand propelthe tillerforward.Ifthis occurs,let
goof the handlebarsanddo notrestrainthe machine.

6. Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonor crossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalert for hiddenhazardsor traffic.

7. Neveroperatethemachineat hightransport speedsonhard
or slipperysurfaces.

8. Exercisecautionto avoidslippingorfalling.

9. Lookdownandbehindand use care wheninreverseor
pullingmachinetowardsyou.

10.Startthe engineaccordingtothe instructionsfoundin this
manualandkeepfeetwellawayfromthetinesat alltimes.

11.Afterstrikinga foreignobject, stoptheengine,disconnect
the sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engine
Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.Repairthe
damagebeforestarting andoperating.

12.Disengageallclutchlevers(iffitted)and stopenginebefore
youleavetheoperatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait
untilthetinescometoa completestopbeforeunclogging
thetines,makinganyadjustments,orinspections.

13.Neverrun anengineindoorsor inapoorly ventilatedarea.

Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand

deadlygas.

14.Mufflerand enginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Do
nottouch.

15.Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand
undergroundutilities.Rotatingtinescancauseproperty
damageor personalinjury.

4

16.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingtotill soilto
deepattoofast ofa rate.

17.Ifthe machineshouldstartmakinganunusualnoiseor
vibration,stopthe engine,disconnectthespark plugwire
andgroundit againsttheengine.Inspectthoroughlyfor
damage.Repairanydamagebeforestartingandoperating.

18.Keepallshields,guards,andsafetydevicesin placeand
operatingproperly.

19.Neverpick upor carrymachinewhiletheengineis running.

20.Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer.Failuretodoso can resultin personalinjury.

21. Ifsituationsoccur whichare notcoveredinthis manual,use
careandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealerortelephone

1-800-800-7310for assistanceandthenameofyour

nearestservicingdealer.

Maintenance & Storage

1. Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheir proper
operationregularly.

2. Checkboltsand screwsfor propertightnessatfrequent
intervalsto keepthe machineinsafe workingcondition.
Also,visuallyinspectmachinefor anydamage.

3. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,stoptheengine
andmakecertainthe tinesand all movingpartshave
stopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundit
againstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.

4. Do notchangethe enginegovernorsettingsorover-speed
the engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafe
operatingspeedofthe engine.

5. Maintainor replacesafetyand instructionlabels,as
necessary.

6. Followthis manualforsafeloading,unloading,transporting,
andstorageofthismachine.

7. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere
there is anopenflame,sparkorpilotlight suchas awater

heater,furnace,clothesdryer,etc.

8. Alwaysreferto the operator'smanualfor properinstructions
on off-seasonstorage.

9. Ifthe fueltank hasto bedrained,dothisoutdoors.

10.Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsfor gas,oil,
etc.to protectthe environment.

Your Responsibility

1. Restrictthe useofthis powermachineto personswho read,
understand,andfollowthe warningsand instructionsinthis

manualandonthe machine.

2. Thesafetylabelsonthetillerareshowninthe "Safety
Labels"section.Toensuresafeoperationofthetiller,follow
theinstructionsonall labelsclosely.

PraCtices

WARNING

Thissymbol points
out importantsafety

instructionswhich, if
notfollowed,could

endangerthe personal
safety and/or property

ofyourself and others.

Readandfollow all

instructions inthis man-
ual before attemptingto

operatethis machine.

Failureto complywith

these instructions
mayresult in personal

njury.When you see

this symbol, HEED ITS

WARNING!

5

Assembly

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 unitsillustratedmay

vary slightlyfrom your

unit.

Assembly

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

',,..

Figure3-1:Removehardwarefrom lowerhandle.

2. Positiontheupper handle ontothe lower
handle,Step A Figure3-2. Alignthe holes

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

3. Insertcarriage bolts through the holes and se-
cure with star knobs,Step B Figure 3-2. Make
certain carriageboltsare seated securely into

one ofthetwo positions provided.

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

Figure3-3.

\

\

\

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.

i iMPORTANT
iTh=sun=tissh_pped

iwithout gasolineoroil
iin the engine. Fillup

igasoline and oilas
iinstructed in the accom-

panyingenginemanual

iBEFORE operatingyour

machine.

Figure3-4: Hookcableinto tineclutchcontrol.

J

Figure3-2:Attachandsecureupperhandle.

6