MTD 179cc, 272cc, 208cc, 243cc Operator's Manual

Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operati,on. Maintenance. Troubleshooting. Warranty

OPERATOR'S

MANUAL

17gee, 208ee, 243ee & 272ee

MTD

LLC,

P.O.

BOX

•

, .

361131

OHV

CLEVELAND,

Horizontal Shaft

OHIO

44136-0019

Engine

Form

No.

769-15010

(May

17

2018)

·1

To

The

Owner

Thank

You

This

Operator's

performance"PI,ejise

table

Safe

Operation

Safety

Set-Up

ManuaHs

read

of

Contents

Practices

Symbols

........................................................ 4 Replacement

................................................

Contr,ols & Features

Operation

Maintenance

.............................................

•••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••.••••.

an

important part

and

understand the contents before operating the

........................................

of

your

new

engine.

It will help

3 Troubleshooting

. ~ ..................... 5-Emission

...............................................

:.

7 .....................................

.................... 8 Spanish

................

'77

you

prepare

and

maintain the engine for the

engine.

...........................................

Parts

.................................................

Statement/WarrolJty

See

...............................................

best

..........

.................................

Seperate

Supplement,

.....................

1

7S

76

.

19

Record

Before
on

MODEL

Product

operating your

the engine

NUMBER/SERIAL NUMBER

Information

new

and

record

the information in the provided

engine,

please

locate the model plate

area

to the right.
technical support

This

information will

via

our

web

site

be

necessary,

or with your

should
local

you

dealer.

seek

DDDDDDD/DDDDDDDDDDDD

Customer

Please

If

you

you
()
()
()

Support

do

NOT

return the machine to

have

difficulty with

can

seek

help froin the

Visit

us

on

the
Call a Customer
Write

us

at

MTD

this

product or

experts.

web

at www.mtdproducts.com

Support

LLC·

P.O.

Choose

Representative

Box

361131 • Cleveland,

the

retaJler

or dealer without first contacting our

have

any

questions

from the options below:

at

(800)

800-7310

OH

·44136-0019

regarding

or

(330)

Customer

the controls, operation, or

220-4683

Support Department.

maintenance

of this

engine,

Important

AWARNINGI

This

symbol

points
instructions
the
and
in
the
instructions

>"'U

Engine
certain
chemicals
cancer
harm.

This
the
any

.

on
injury.
instructions

Training

1.

2.

3.

4..

5.

which,

personal

safety

others.

Read

manual

may

this

symbol.

and

before

Failure

result

this

equipment.

see

AWARNINGI

CALIFORNIA
Exhaust,

solne

vehicle

components

known

to

and

birth

defects

ADANGERI

engine

was
safe
type

the

Never allow

area.

built

operation

of

power

part

Read,
instructions

manual(s)
and
place
for ordering

Be
proper operation.
engine

Never
age
and
Instructions
in
supervised

without proper instruction.
Keep

persons,
pets.

equipment,

of

the

operator

Failure

to

observe

could

result

understand

before attempting to

operate.

for future

familiar with

and

disengage

allow children under

to

operate

over

should

this

manual

by

the

area

particularly

Stop

machine

Safe

Operation

out

important

safety

if

not

followed,

could

endanger

and/or

property

of

yourself

follow

all

instructions

attempting

HEED

ofitsconstituents,

State

to

practices

on

Keep

replacement

the

and

and

an

adults

of operation

to

comply

with

personal

ITS

WARNINGI

contain

of

California

other

reproductive

operated

In

this
careleSsness

can

result

serious

arid

follow

engine

this

manual

regular

parts.

controls

Know

how

them quickly.

engine.

and

understand the

operation

be

trained

to

operate

small

if

anyone

operate

these

injury.

or

emit
to

cause

according

manual.

in

serious

safety

injury

or

all

and

in

assemble

in a safe

reference

and

their

to

stop the

14

years

Children

practices

and

the

clear

children

enters

When

65
and

As

or

death,

the .

machine

of

all

and

to
in

PROPOSITION

or

be

t~efollciYling

in

the

and

all

read
safe

adult.

Practices

Preparation

1.

2.

3.

4.

Safe

To

avoid

use

extreme

is

extremely flammable

explosive.

to

when
clothes

with

change

error

1.

.

!

2.

3.

4.,

5.

and

6.

of
14

7.

the

8.

9.

Wear

sturdy,
close
clothes
moving
in

bare

Disengage
equipped)
starting the engine.

Never
unattended.

Never
while the engine
where
operator's

Handling

personal

gasoline

which
clothes

When
let engine
remoying

Fill
area.

Use
Never

a truck or trailer
A!waysplace
away

If

possible,
equipment from the truck or trailer
refuel
possible,
a trailer with a portable
than from a

Keep
the fuel tank
times
a

nozzle

Do

as

indicated
installed
on

the tank.

for

fuel
level
instance,
inch
allow

Replace
ratchets.

If

gasoline

and

to another

starting the

rough-soled work

fitting

slacks

or jewelry

parts.

feet or

leave

attempt to

specifically

care

Serious

is

can

adding fuel, turn engine

fuel

tank outdoors or

only

fill

from your

It

on

the

until fueling

iock-open

not overfill fuel tank.

inside

expansion.

indicator

fill the tank

below the bottom of the filler

space

fuel

the equipment.

and

can

Never

operate

sandals.

clutch

levers

Into neutral

the engine running while

make

is.

running,

recommended

manual.

of

Gasoline:

injury or property

in

han~ling

and

personal

spilled

immediately. '

cool

the

an
containers

remove
the ground.lfthis

then

nozzle

is

area.

injury

on

yourself and/or your

ignite.

wash

at leas.t2mlnutes before

gas

cap.

approved

inside a

bed

with a

containers

vehicle

gas:powered

refuel

such

gasoline

dispenser

in

contact with the

or

container opening at

is

complete.

device.

by

the fuel
of the fuel

Do

not over-fill

On

may

NOT

no

for

fuel

expansion.

cap

and

tighten until the

spilled, wipe

Move

Wait

five minutes'before

engine.

shoes

shirts.

Loose

be

caught

the

and

shift (if

(OW)

before

any

adjustments

except

.

damage,

gasoline.

the

vapors

can

occur

your

skin

OFF

in

well ventililted

gasoline

container.

vehicle

plastic

on

the ground

before filling.

is

not

equipment

container,

nozzle.

Do

Fill

tank to full

level

indicator

tank

or

to

allow

some

models,

be

present,

more

than

it

off the engine

the

machine

and

fitting

in

the

machine

in

the

Gasoline

are

and'

and

or

on

liner.

and

on

rather

rim

of

all

not

use

marked

space

a fuel

In

this

1/2

neck

cap

10.

11.

12.,

13.

14.

Operation

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

to

To

reduce

fire

hazards,

keep

the

, free

of

grass,

leaves

build

up.

Clean

remove

any

Keep

gasoline

flames,

pilot lights,

sources.

ignition
Never

fuel equipment indoors
flammable
area.,

Extinguish
other

sources

Check

fuel
frequently for
necessary.

When

starting the engine,

plug, muffler,
Do

not

crank

removed.
If

fuel

spills,

starting engine.
Allow muffler, engine cylinder,

cool

before touching

Keepchildre~

engines.

They

muffler.
Remove

accumulated

muffler

and

Operate

equipment with

place.
Keep

hands

parts.

TIe

up long hair

Do

not

wear
dangling drawstrings or
become

caught.

When

starting the engine, pull

until

resistance

not electric
Remove

all

loads

before starting engine.

Direct coupled equipment components
such

as,

but not liniited
impellers,
securely

pulleys,

attached. '

or other debris

up

011

or fuel

fuel-soaked

away

from

heat,

vapors

will

all

cigarettes,
of ignition.

line,

tank,

cap,

cracks

orleaks.

and

fuel

engine with

wait until

it

•.

away

from hot or running

can

sUffer

combustibles from

cylinder

area,

and

feet

away

and

remove

loose-fitting clothing,

Is

felt, then pull rapidly (If

start).

external equipment/engine

sprockets,

machine

spillage

debris.

sparks,

and

other

because

accumUlate

cigars,

pipes,

and fittings

Replace

make

sure

cap

are

in

spark

plug

evaporates

and

bums

froin a hot

all

guards

from rotating

jewelry.

items

that could

cord

to

blades,

etc.,

open

in the

place.

must be

2

and

and

if

spark

before

fins to

in

slowly'

3

Maintenance & Storage

1.

Keep

the engine

2.

Allow the engine to

minutes before

with

safety

operation regularly.

3.

Check
tightness at frequent intervals to
engine
inspect the engine for

4. -Before
stop the engine
moving

spark

the
the engine to prevent unintended
starting.

5.

Do

not
settings or
governor
operating

6.

Maintain
instruction

Safety

Symbols

This

page

_ attempting to

depicts

in

storin9'

devices.

bolts

and

screws

in

safe

working condition.

cleaning,

repairing or-inspecting;

and

parts

have

plug wire

change

the engine governor

over-speed

cOlmols

speed

of the

and

replace

labels

as

and

describes

assemble

and

safe

working order

cool

Never

Check

for proper

any

make

stopped. Disconnect

and

ground it

the

the

maximum

engine.

safety

n~cessary.

operate.

at

least

five

t~mper

their proper

damage.

certain

engine.

safe

and

safety

symbols

keep

Visually

all

against

The

7.

Always

refer

to

important details

stored for

8.

If the fuel tank
outdoors.

9.

Observe
regulations for

the

that

environment.

Do

not

modify

To

avoid

serious

in

any

engine

can

setting
it

to

operate at

with factory setting of engine governor.

Notice

Regarding

Engines

which

California

and

SORE

(Small

for
certified to operate
gaSOline,

and

emission

control

(EM),

Oxidizing

Injection

(SAl)

so

equipped.

may

appear

the operator's

an

extended period

has

proper

disposal

gas,

engine

injury or

way.

Tampering

lead

to a

runaway

unsafe

speeds.

are

certified to comply

federal

EPA

Off

Road

on

regular

may

include the folloWing

systems:

Catalyst

and

Three

on

this product.

if

to

death,

manual

the

machine

of

be

drained, do this

laws

and

oil,

etc.

to protect the

do not modify

with the governor

engine

and

Never

tamper

Emissions

emisSion

unleaded

Engine

Secondary
Catalyst

Read,

regulations

are

Modification

understand,

Equipment)

(OC),

Way

is

to

time.

cause

With

Air

(TWC)

for i

Spark

be

Arrest~r

AWARNINGI

This

machine

is

equipped

combustion
or
covered
exhaust
meeting

If a
maintained in effective working order
operator.
required by law
Public
similar

A

spark
through your
dealer
Box

if

and

follow

engIne

unimproved

or

grass-covered

system

is

equipped

applicable

arrestor

is

In

the

State
(Section

Code).

Federal

nearest

Cleveland,

instructions

and

local

used,

near

any

SPilrk

Resources

laws.

arrestor for the muffler

or contact the

361131

all

with

an

Internal

should

nOt

be

forest-covered,

land

unless

the

with

a

spark

or

state

laws

it

should

be

of

California the

4442

oUhe California

Other

states

laws

apply

on

federal

Is

engine authorized

service

Ohio

on

available

department,

44136-0019.

the

machine

used

on

brush

engine's
arrestor

(if

any).

by

above

may

service

before

the

is

have

lands.

P.O.

Symbol

w

~

\\\\\

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

READ

THE
understand,

run

and

not

use

parts,

cool

before

OPERATOR'S

and

engine

to

cool

CARBON

an

engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
deadly

gas.

ELECTRICAL

the

engine's

HOT

SURFACE

espeCially

touching.

Read,
operate.

WARNING-GASOLINE
Allow the

WARNING­Never

odorless

WARNING-

Do

WARNING-

Engine

to

MANUAL(S)

follow

all

instructions

IS

FLAMMABLE

at

least

two

minutes

MONOXIDE

SHOCK

electric starter in the

the

muffler,

become

Description

in

the

manual(s)

before attempting to

before

refueling.

area.

Engine

exhaust

-

rain.

extremely hot during operation. Allow engine

contains

assemble

carbon

and

monoxide,

and

muffler

an

Your

Responsibility -Restrict

machine.

4 SECTION 2

the

-IMPORTANT

use

ofthis

power

SAFE OPERATION

A

WARNINGI-

machine

PRACTICES

to

persons

SAVE

who

THESE

read,

INSTRUCnONSI

understand

and

follow

the

warnings

and

instructions

In

this

manual

and

on

the

,

Set-Up

3

Oil & Fuel

IMPORTANT:

gasoline

'instructions

IMPORrANT:Sorll'e

already
in the
oil

level
add
insufficient' oil
and

Oil

Rec~mmendations

,

Before
capacity
chart
Do

not over-fill.
high
certified to
manufacturer's
classification

lett~rratings

.

grades).
Engine'oil

container.

NOTE:

, engine oil. It could,shorten the engine'Hervice

life.' "

~

~

~

c

VI

ci.~

n

tiS

~[

lj.!!-'

~6

VIol!

&'i

--'F

('C)

(OF)

Sp~cifications

The

engine"is

shipped

in

the

engine.

for adding

in

the

engine.

before operating the

oil

if

necessa'ry.

void the engine warranty

starting

is

600

("Figure

detergent, premium quality

meet

will display this designation onthe

Do

not

..

,

'

...

...

See

gasoline.

engines

engine,

others without oil

It

is

very

important to

Running

can

cause

serious

engine;

fill with engine

ml/20

oz.

3_1")

of a minimum
are

use
,"

Refer

for

011

recommendations.

Use a 4-stroke,

or

exceed

requirements for

acceptable

'

non-deteigentoil

.,

"

,

..

,

..
..

,

,

..

...

without

the following

are

shipped

check

engine

and

the engine with

engine

to the

viscosity

or

an

equivalent

engine

U.S.

automobile

service

level

SJ

(higher

such

as

SL

or

,

,',

'

with oil

already

to '

damage

oil,

oil

and

2-stroke

---..

,

,"

-300

·200

·100

00

100

200

300

-200

00

15'

300

500

700

85'

Figure

3-1

the'

..

..

..

Checking

NOTE:

surface
To

avoid

1.

2.

3.

SM

4:

NOTE:

cause
fouling.:'

"NOTE:

"L"

mark

eqUipment malfunctions

NOTE:

Maintenance

400
105'

Oil

Level

Be

sure

to

check

with the engine stopped.

engine

'.

Remove
wipe the dipstick

Insert

the

fleck,

and

Remove
level

is
registers
"Figure

Replace
before starting engine.

Do

not civerflll:Overfilling with oil

smoking,

DO

NOT

on

the dipstick.

To

change

the oil while ona

damage,

It

is

important to:

Check

oil

level

and

every
engine
more
break-in.

Keep
marks

Be

sure

tightened

the oil filler cap/dipstick

cap/dipstick Into the oil filler
tighten the

the oli filler cap/dipstick. If the

low,

between high

3-2~

.

and

~ard

allow oli

the oil

Section

before

5 operating

is

warm;

frequently during engine

oil

slowly

tighten cap/dipstick firmly

Check

level

between

on

dipstick.

oil fill cap/plug

securely

clean.,See

ca'p

add

oil until oil

~tarting,

or

,
level

to fall

Doing

or

damage

on

your

of this

manual.

level

each

use

hours

oil

level

"H"

and

See

"Figure

is

when

checking.

and

"Figure

until

seated.

level

(H)

and

loW

(L),

may

spark

plug

b~low

so

may

result

.

engine,

see

when

"L"

3_2".

3-2".

'

the

in

the

Filling

Oil

Sump

1.

Be

sure

the engine

2.

Remove

the oil fill
filler tube
and

I

Wipe

3.

Insert oil fill
tube.
by
seated.

,NOTE:

dipstick.

dipstick into the

screw It

4.

Loosen
dipstick from the oil filler tube.
oil

is

reach

5.

Insert

filler
clockwise

6.

Wipe

NOTE:To

Changing
Section

by

rotating counter-clockwise

lifting the dipstick out of the

the dipstick

cap

On

quarter-turn oil fill

rotating the

Some

units

In

this

In

to

check.

and

re,move

level,

If oil

below the

change

Oil

of

this

"L"

the

"H"

oil fill

cap

tube.

Tighten
untli firmly

away

an~

the

Instructions

manual.

reading

level.

oil,

is

upright

and

cap

dipstick from oil

clean

with a

dipstick

back

cap

instance;

011

mark,

dipstick

spilled

see

In

caps,

clockwise

may

have

a threaded

insert the cap/

filler

neck,

the

011

fill

on

the dipstick

slowly

add

See

"Figure

back

by

rotating the

seated.

oiL

Checking

the

M~intenance

level.

engine.

shop

rag.

into oil filler

tighten

until firmly

but

do

not

cap

Note

the

oil to

3_2".

Into oil

cap

and
. '

Figure 3-2

I 5