MTD 21A-332C731, 21A-332B729, 21A-332A752, 21A-332A700 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

Front Tine Tiller

Model Series

300 & 330

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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 arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

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

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 770-10564D

(2/2004)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content

Important Safe Operation Practices

Assembling Your Tiller Know Your Tiller

Operating Your Tiller Making Adjustments

Page Content

3 Maintaining Your Tiller 5 Troubleshooting

6 Illustrated Parts List 7 Warranty

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new tiller. Itwill 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 equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. A sample model plate is also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and looking down at the right side of the frame. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer's web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized

service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

P. O. BOX 3611131

CLEVELAND,OH 44136

', www.m{uprOuuc_s.com 888-888-7318

330-228-4683

Copy the serial number here:

Page

10 11 12 16

CUSTOMERSUPPORT

Please doNOTreturntheunit to the retailerfromwhereit waspurchased,withoutfirstcontactingCustomerSupport.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit mtdproducts.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is

immediately available.

answer you are

looking for could be just

a mouse c//cA awayf

If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1-800-800-7310.

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answer are

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En ine

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to

performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more

information.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

WARNING" This symbol points out important safety instructions 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 this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may

result in personal injury. When you see this symbol-- heed its warning.

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.

DANGER: This machine 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 injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet. Failure to observe the

following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

Training

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to

assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe

place for future and regular reference and for

ordering replacement parts.

2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper

operation. Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate

this machine. Children 14 years old and over should

read and understand the operation instructions and

safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction.

5. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets and children at least

75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

Preparation

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is

to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, and other foreign objects which could be tripped over

and cause personal injury.

2. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close

fitting slacks and shirt. Loose fitting clothes or

jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never

operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.

3. Disengage clutch levers and shift (if provided) into neutral CN") before starting the engine.

4. Never leave this machine unattended with the

engine running.

5. Never attempt to make any adjustments while

engine is running, except where specifically

recommended in the operator's manual.

6. To avoid personal injury or property damage use

extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.

Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

7. Use only an approved gasoline container.

8. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

9. Never fuel machine indoors.

10. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running.

11. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

12. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for

fuel expansion.

13. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

14. Ifgasoline is spilled, wipe it offthe engine and equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5

minutes before starting the engine.

15. Never store the machine or fuel container inside near an open flame, spark or pilot light (e.g.

furnace, water or space heater, clothes dryer etc.).

16. Allow machine to cool 5 minutes before storing.

Operation

1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Contact with the rotating parts can amputate hands and feet.

2. Do not operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

3. Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a

firm hold on the handles.

4. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in

operation. Stop the machine if anyone enters the area.

5. Be careful when tilling in hard ground. The tines may catch in the ground and propel the tiller

forward. If this occurs, let go of the handle bars and do not restrain the machine.

6. Exercise extreme caution when operating on or crossing gravel surfaces. Stay alert for hidden

hazards or traffic. Do not carry passengers.

7. Never operate the machine at high transport speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.

8. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

9. Lookdownandbehindandusecarewhenin reverseorpullingmachinetowardsyou.

10. Starttheengineaccordingtotheinstructionsfound inthismanualandkeepfeetwellawayfromthe

tinesatalltimes.

11. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,

disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundagainst theengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemachineforany

damage.Repairthedamagebeforestartingand operating.

12. Disengageallclutchleversandstopenginebefore

youleavetheoperatingposition(behindthe

handles).Waituntilthetinescometoacomplete

stopbeforeuncloggingthetines,makingany adjustments,orinspections.

13. Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorly

ventilatedarea.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon

monoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

14. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donottouch.

15. Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand undergroundutilities.Rotatingtinescancause propertydamageorpersonalinjury.

16. Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto

tillsoiltodeepattofastofarate.

17. Ifthemachineshouldstartmakinganunusualnoise

orvibration,stoptheengine,disconnectthespark

plugwireandgrounditagainsttheengine.Inspect

thoroughlyfordamage.Repairanydamagebefore startingandoperating.

18. Keepallshields,guardsandsafetydevicesinplace

andoperatingproperly.

19. Neverpickuporcarrymachinewhiletheengineis running.

20. Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedby

themanufacturer.Failuretodoso,canresultin

personalinjury.

21. Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyour

dealerortelephone1-800-800-7310forassistance andthenameofyournearestservicingdealer.

Maintenance& Storage

1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

2. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at

frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for

any damage.

3. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, stop the

engine and make certain the tines and all moving

parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire

and ground it against the engine to prevent

unintended starting.

Do not change the engine governor settings or over-

speed the engine. The governor controls the

maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,

transporting, and storage of this machine.

Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc.

Always refer to the operator's manual for proper

instructions on off-season storage.

If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors.

10.

Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for

gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

YourResponsibility

1. 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.

2. The safety label on the tiller is reproduced below for your review. To ensure safe operation of the tiller,

follow the instructions on all labels closely.

TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY

README OP_ATOR'SMANUAL.

KNOWLOCAT_N_D FUNCTIONS OFALLCO'NTROL&

KEEPALLSAFETYDEVICESAND SHIELDSiNPLACEANDWORK]r,_3.

NEVERALLOWCHILDRENOR UNII'_TRUCTEDADUL_ TO

OPERATETILLER, SHUTOFFENGINEBEFORE

UNCLOGGINGTINESORMAKING REPAIR&

KEEPBYSTANDE_AWAYFROM MACHINE, KEEPAWAYFROMROTATING

PARTS.

USEEXTREMECAUTIONWHEN REVERSINGORPULLINGTHE

MACHINETOWARDSYOU,

SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOURTILLER

NOTE: This operator's manual covers various models

of tillers. The units illustrated may vary slightly from your unit. Follow only those instructions which pertain to your model number.

NOTE: References to right or left side of the tiller are

determined from behind the unit in the operating position.

ToRemoveUnitFromCarton

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open

carton.

• Remove loose parts included with unit (i.e., operator's manual, etc.).

• Cut corners and lay carton down flat.

• Remove packing material.

• Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts.

• Extend control cable and lay on the floor. Be careful not to bend or kink control cable.

IMPORTANT:This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your machine.

Handle Adjustment Lever

Handle

Adjustment Lever

LoosePartsIn Carton

Tailpiece and Depth Stake

NOTE: All hardware needed for assembly is attached to the loose parts or the tiller.

BeforeAssembly

_, WARNING: Disconnect the spark plugwire and ground it against the engine to

prevent unintended starting.

AssemblingTheHandle

• Remove the handle adjustment lever from handle and lift up upper handle to raise in operating position. See Figure 1.

• Reinsert adjustment lever through the lower hole, tightening the lever into lock nut on the retainer

bracket.

• Once the lever is in the lock nut, the handle can be moved to the desired position and then tighten

securely.

AttachingTailpieceandDepthStake

• Remove the two self-tapping screws on the frame and slide the tailpiece into the frame, with the lower hole in the tailpiece toward the front. See Figure 2.

• Secure tailpiece with the screws just removed.

Tailpiece

-Retainer Bracket

Nut

Figure 1

Self-Tapping Screws

Figure 2

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