MTD 21AA414A752, 21AA413B700, 21AA412A700 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

Rear Tine Tiller

Model Series

410 Thru 420

Model Series 410 Shown

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. 770-10136D

(10/03)

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

8 Illustrated Parts List
9 Warranty

11

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

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.

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 center of the rear tine cover. 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

11
13
14
24

CUSTOMERSUPPORT

Please doNOTreturntheunitto the retailer fromwhereit 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.

" f

answer are

looking for could be just

a mouse c//cA awayf

" f

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 and throwing objects.
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. Neveroperatethemachineathightransport
speedsonhardorslipperysurfaces.

8. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingorfalling.

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.

4.

Do not change the engine governor settings or
over-speed the engine. The governor controls the
maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

5.

Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.

6.

Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,
transporting, and storage of this machine.

7.

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.

8.

Always refer to the operator's manual for proper
instructions on off-season storage.

9.

Ifthe 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.

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.

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.

LoosePartsInCarton

Depth Stake
Handle Assembly

Shift Rod
Handle Adjustment Rod (Model series 420 only)

NOTE: All hardware needed for assembly is attached

to the loose parts or the tiller.

Insert hex bolt into the top hole of the depth stake
assembly. Place flat washer on the hex bolt and
thread "T" knob onto the hex bolt. Tighten securely.
See Figure 1.
Tip the tiller back down so it rests on the tines.

Flat Washer Hex Bolt

T-Knob

rpin Clip

Clevis Pin

Depth Stake

Figure 1

AttachingHandleAssembly

• Remove the handle adjustment crank, flange nut,
retainer bracket, shoulder bolt, and lock nut from

the pivot bracket.

• Place the handle assembly in position in the handle
pivot bracket lining the upper holes in the handle

with the slots in the pivot bracket. See Figure 2.

Retainer Bracket,
Shoulder Bolt, & Lock Nut

Handle Adjustment Crank j

and Flange Nut_ /

BeforeAssembly

and ground it against the engine to prevent

WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire

unintended starting.

AttachingDepthStake

• Tip the tiller forward so it rests on front
counterweight.

• Unthread the "T" knob from the top of the depth
stake and remove the flat washer and hex bolt.

Remove the hairpin clip from the clevis pin.
See Figure 1.

• Raise the tine shield hinge flap assembly and insert
the depth stake assembly in the slot (under the tine
shield) and up through the tine shield assembly.

• Insert clevis pin through the tine shield and depth
stake assemblies. Secure with hairpin clip.

Pivot Bracket

Figure 2

Lift up the handle assembly and align the bottom
holes in the handle assembly with the holes in the
pivot bracket. Insert shoulder bolt from the left side

of unit through the pivot bracket and the retainer

bracket on the right hand side of the unit.

See Figure 3.

Retainer Bracket
Shoulder Bolt & Lock Nut

Figure 3

• Place the hex opening of the flange nut retainer

bracket over the flange nut securing the handle
adjustment crank and install the lock nut on the
lower shoulder bolt. See Figure 4.

• Pivot handle assembly into position desired.
Tighten the bottom bolt, lock nut, and the handle
adjustment lock securely.

Handle Ad ustment Crank

Retainer Bracket

Figure 4

AttachingGearShiftRod

NOTE: Model series 420 tiller has two control rods. The

gear shift rod is the longer rod and must be assembled
on the right side on handle.

• Remove the T-handle, hairpin clip, flat washer and
rubber washer from the end of the gear shift rod.
Slide the rod up through the right side of bracket on

the front of the handle assembly. See Figure 5.

• Insert the end of the gear shift rod through the

opening in the top of the shift cover and into the

shift bracket. Secure with rubber washer first, flat

washer, and then hairpin clip. See Figure 5.

• Install the nut and T-handle on the gear shift rod.

Gear

Gear Shift Rod

Handle

ustment Rod

(Model Series 420)

/

Rubber Washer

-lat Washer

Hairpin Clip

Figure 5

AttachingHandleAdjustmentRod

(Model420 seriesonly)

• Remove the T-handle, flange nut, hairpin clip, and
rubber washer from the ends of the handle

adjustment rod. Slide the rod up through the left
side of bracket on the front of the handle assembly.

Refer to Figure 5.

Handle

Adjustment Rod

Positioner

Rubber
Washer

Figure 6

• Slide the rubber washer on the unthreaded end of
the handle adjustment rod and insert the end of the

handle adjustment rod into the positioner bracket
beneath the handle and on top of the tine shield.
Secure with hairpin clip. See Figure 6.

• Reinstall the nut and T-handle.

AttachingClutchCable

• Route the clutch cable underneath the handle and
through the cable clip. Be careful not to bend or

kink the cable. See Figure 7.

Handle Adjustment Crank

Cable

Clip

Figure 7

• Remove one hex nut from the threaded casing on
the end of the cable. Slip the wire up through the

slot on the cable bracket underneath the handle.

• Push the end of the casing up through the cable
bracket. Rethread the hex nut on the end of the

cable. Do not tighten at this time.

Pull the cable upwards to obtain slack and hook the
Z end of the cable from right to left into the bracket
on the clutch control (beneath the handle panel).
Tighten the nut against the cable bracket.
See Figure 8.

NOTE: Do not overtighten clutch cable, since too much
tension may cause it to break.

FinalClutchAdjustment

IMPORTANT:Service the engine with oil and gasoline

before checking this adjustment. Refer to the separate
engine manual packed with your tiller.

Position the tiller so the front counterweight is
against a solid object, such as a wall. With the gear
selection lever in NEUTRAL, start the engine. Refer
to Operation section.

NOTE: Keep hands out of belt area while unit is
operating.

• Standing on the right side of the tiller, visually
examine the belt (inside the belt cover). It should
not be turning.

• Ifthe belt turns with the unit in neutral, adjust by
moving the hex nut below the cable bracket down a
few turns.Tighten the upper hex nut against the
bracket. See Figure 8.

• Now move the shift lever to FORWARD (Wheels

Forward) position. Carefully engage the clutch by
squeezing the clutch handle against the handle.
The wheels should spin.

• If the wheels do not spin with the unit in
forward, adjust by moving the hex nut which is
above the cable bracket up a few turns. Tighten the
bottom hex nut against the bracket.

Recheck both adjustments, and readjust as necessary.
Make certain hex nuts at cable bracket are tight (do not

overtighten clutch cable).

Lock
Washer

Hex

Hex Nut

\

\

Slot in
Cable Bracket

(Viewed From Under Handle)

Figure 8

End

NOTE: If additional adjustment is required, it may be

necessary to remove the belt cover and move the hex
nuts at the other end of the clutch cable to increase belt

tension.

TirePressure

The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for shipping

purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating

the unit. Recommended operating tire pressure is

approximately 14 p.s.i, on 14 inch tires and 20 p.s.i, on
16 inch tires.(Check sidewall of tire for tire
manufacturer's recommended pressure).

WARNING: Maximum tire pressure under

any circumstances is 30 p.s.i. Equal tire

pressure should be maintained on both
tires.

SECTION3: KNOWYOURTILLER

Gear Selection __ Clutch

Handle "_......__ Gear Shift Rod

Handle
Adjustment Cran

Model 410 Series

Stake

\Handle

Adjustment Rod

Model 420 Series

_, WARNING: Read, understand, and follow

all instructions and warnings on the

machine and in this manual before
operating.

GearSelectionHandle

The gear selection handle is located on the front of the
handle assembly (right handle on Model 420 Series). It

is used to select NEUTRAL, REVERSE, orone of the
FORWARD modes.

This tiller is designed for the gear selection handle to be
moved while the engine is running. (It will be difficult to
obtain all four positions with the engine off.) Pull or push
the handle so that the indicator on top of shift cover
points to the area of the operating mode desired.
See Figure 9.

NOTE: If difficulty is encountered in moving the gear
selection handle, refer to the following helpful hints:

• To shift into forward or reverse wheel drive, move
tiller forward slightly then backward to allow the
gears to synchronize.

• To shift into forward wheels and tine drive, push

forward slightly on the gear selection handle and

slowly engage the clutch handle allowing the gears
to synchronize.

• To stop forward movement and tine drive, release
the clutch handle. Do not shift gears with the clutch
handle engaged except when engaging the tines.

Figure 9

Reverse

Reverse wheel drive only.
Neutral

Transmission is in neutral.

WheelsForward

Forward wheel drive only.

Tines Reverse

Forward wheel drive and reverse tine drive.

,_ WARNING: Make certain unit

NEUTRAL when starting the engine.

ClutchHandle

The clutch handle is located beneath the handle.

Squeezing the clutch handle against the handle
engages the wheel and tine drive mechanisms.
See Figure 9.

ThrottleControl

The throttle control lever is located on the engine. It

controls the engine speed and stops the engine.

ChokeLever(IfEquipped)

The choke lever is located by the throttle. It is used to

enrich the fuel mixture in the carburetor when starting a
cold engine.

is in