MTD 330, 300, 21A-332B062 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 isrequired 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. 770-10564
(11/2001 )
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3
Assembling Your Tiller ....................................................................................... 5
Know Your Tiller ................................................................................................. 6
Operating Your Tiller .......................................................................................... 7
Making Adjustments .......................................................................................... 9
Maintaining Your Tiller ....................................................................................... 10
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 12
Parts List ............................................................................................................ 14
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 itin the space provided below. The information on
the model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or
an authorized dealer.
You can locate the model number by standing in the operating position behind the unit and looking
down at the center of the rear tine cover. A sample model plate is explained below. For future
reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
ENGINEINFORMATION
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.
CONTACTINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call Customer Support Department.
Call 1- (330) 220-4MTD (4683) or 1- (800)-800-7310 to reach a Customer Support
representative. Please have your unit's model number and serial number ready when you
call. See previous section to locate this information. You will be asked to enter the serial
number in order to process your call.
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 Califomia 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 inoperation.
Stop machine ifanyone 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 ("N") 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. Filltank 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 off the 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 stodng.
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
bum.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
instructionson off-season storage.
9.
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
instructionsin 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
READTdEOPERATOR_MANUAL,
KNOWLOCKNONANDFUNCMONE
OFALLCONTROLS.
KF_PALLSAFETYDEVICESAND
SHEL_ INPLACEANDWOrKiNG,
NEVERALLOWCHILDRENON
UNINSTRUCTEDADULTSTO
OPERATETILLER.
SHNTOFF ENGINEEEFORE
UNCLOGGIb_GT_NESOF{,_AKING
RSPA_&
KEEPBYSTANDERSAWAYFROM
MACHINE,
KEEPAWAY FROMNOTATkNG
PANTS.
USE EXTREMECAtJTIONWHEN
REVERSINGOR PULLINGTHE
MACHINETOWARB_SYOU.
Maintenance& Storage
1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their
proper operation regularly.
2. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at
frequent intervalsto keep the machine in safe
working condition. Also, visually inspectmachine 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.
.Handle
Adjustment Lever
Handle
Adjustment Lever
LoosePartsInCarton
Tailpiece and Depth Stake
NOTE: All hardware needed for assembly is attached
to the loose parts or the tiller.
BeforeAssembly
_lb 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
Figure 1
]
Screws
-Iole
Figure 2
CheckCableAdjustment
With the clutch lever disengaged, pull starter rope
slowly several times. The tines should not turn. If
they turn, the cable is not adjusted properly.
To adjust the cable, loosen the nut near the top of
the cable and unscrew the cable to provide
additional slack in wire. See Figure 3.
Tighten the nut and check again for proper
adjustment.
SECTION3: KNOWYOURTILLER
Handle Adjustment Lever
Clutch Lever_
Loosen Nut_
Figure 3
WARNING: Read, understand, and
follow all instructions and warnings on
the machine and in this manual before
operating.
TineClutchControl
The clutch control lever is located on the left handle.
Squeezing the lever against the handle engages the
tine drive. Release the lever to stop the tines from
turning. See Figure 4
DepthStake
The depth stake is located in the rear of the tiller and it
controls the tilling depth. See Figure 4
Figure 4
HandleAdjustmentLever
The handle may be adjusted to the height desired.
Loosen the handle adjustment lever a few turns and
pivot handle up or down to desired position. Tighten
lock. See Figure 4.
ThrottleControl
The throttle control lever islocated on the engine. It
controlsthe engine's speed and stops the engine.
With thethrottle controlpushed completely forward,
the carburetor is in START or FAST position. Use
maximum engine speed for deep tilling.
Pull the throttle control back to reduce engine
speed to IDLE. Throttle control should be at IDLE
for transporting the tiller.
Pull the throttle completely back to stop the engine.
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