MTD 340 THRU 390 Owner’s Manual

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

FRONT TINE

TILLERS

Models

340 Thru 390

Model 340 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.

Inthe State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have

similar laws. Federal taws 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 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.

MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO. 770-10132

(10/98)

SECTION 1: FINDING YOUR MODEL NUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new tiller. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain

your tiller. Please read and understand what it says.
Before you start to prepare your tiller for its first use, please locate the model plate and copy the information

from it in this Operator's Manual. The information on the model plate is very important if you need help from
your dealer or the MTD customer support department. See Figure 1.

• Every tiller has a model plate. You can locate it by standing in the operating position behind the unit
and looking down at the frame on the right side.

r

This is where your model number will be.

XXX-X-XXX-X-XXX XXXXXXXXXXX

This is where your serial number will be.

Copy the model number here:

MTD PRODUCTS INC

CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

Copy the serial number here:

Figure 1

SECTION 2: CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

• LOCATE YOUR MODEL NUMBER AND SERIAL NUMBER m Record this information in the space

provided. To find your unit's specific model number and serial number, see SECTION 1: FINDING
YOUR MODEL NUMBER.

• If you are having difficulty assembling this product or if you have any questions regarding the controls,
operation or maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

= Customer Support can be reached by dialing: 1- (330) 220-4MTD

(4683)

or

1- (800)-800-7310

• Please have your model number and serial number ready when you call.

• Although both numbers are important, you will be asked to enter only your serial number before your

call can be processed.

2

SECTION 3: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

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 YOUR TILLER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE
INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL-- HEED

ITS WARNING.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: Your tiller 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 tiller is capable of amputating hands and feet. Failure to observe the

following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

1. GENERAL OPERATION

• Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety •
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,

understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be •

completely familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the machine before operating it. Keep this
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement parts. •

• Your tiller is a powerful tool, not a plaything.

Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. °
Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to

till soil. Do not use it for any other purpose.

• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the

unit. Children 14 years and older should only
operate the unit under close parental supervision. *
Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to
use your unit.

• Do not operate tiller while under the influence of

alcohol or drugs.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,

particularly small children and pets. Stop the
engine when they are in the vicinity of your tiller.

• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close •

fitting slacks and shirt. Shirt and slacks that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or

jewelry and secure hair so it is above shoulder
length. They can be caught in moving parts. Never •
operate a unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers.

• Operate tiller only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Do not start tiller unless the shift lever (if provided)
is in the neutral (N) position.

• Do not allow anyone to stand or walk in front of
tiller when starting or running engine.

Do not place feet or hands on or near the tines

when starting the engine or while the engine is

running.

Never attempt to make depth bar, tine width, cable,
handle, or wheel adjustments while the engine is

running.

Do not leave the tiller unattended with the engine

running.
Before attempting to remove rocks, bricks and

other objects from tines, stop the engine and be
sure the tines have stopped completely. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and move it away from the
spark plug.

If your machine should start making an unusual
noise or vibration, immediately stop the engine and
allow the machine to come to a complete stop.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away
from the spark plug. Take the following steps:

• Inspect for damage.

• Repair or replace any damaged parts.

• Check for any loose parts and tighten to
assure continued safe operation.

Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.

Keep all shields, guards and safety devices in
place and operating properly.

Use caution when tilling near fences, buildings and
underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause

damage or injury.
Do not operate engine if air cleaner or cover over

carburetor air intake is removed, except for
adjustment. Removal of such parts could create a

fire hazard.

• Onlyuseaccessoriesapprovedforthismachineby
themanufacturer.Read,understand,andfollowall

instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessory.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredbythis

manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyour
dealerforassistance.

, CHILDREN

• Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not

alert to the presence of small children. Children are
often attracted to the tilling activity. Never assume

that children will remain where you last saw them.

• Keep children out of the work area and under the
watchful eye of a responsible adult other than the
operator.

• Be alert and turn the unit off if a child enters the

area.

• Never allow children under the age of 14 to operate
the tiller.

3. SERVICE

° Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other

fuels. They are extremely flammable and the
vapors are explosive.

• Store fuel and oil in approved containers, away
from heat and open flame, and out of the reach of

children. Check and add fuel before starting the
engine. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the

engine is running. Allow engine to cool at least two

minutes before refueling.

• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any
spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may

cause a fire or explosion,

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

• Never refuel unit indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.

° Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame or spark such as a
gas hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer

or furnace.

• Never run your machine in an enclosed area as the
exhaust from the engine contains carbon

monoxide, which is a odorless, tasteless and
deadly poisonous gas.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep engine and muffler free
of leaves, grass, and other debris build-up. Clean
up fuel and oil spillage. Allow unit to cool at least 5
minutes before storing.

• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make
certain the tines and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep wire away
from spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Do

not use flammable solutions to clean air filter.

• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.

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

• Do not alter or tamper with the engine's governor
setting. The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed of the engine. Overspeeding the
engine is dangerous and will cause damage to the
engine and to other moving parts of the machine.

,i_ WARNING w YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: 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.

TO AVOID INJURY

,READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL

• KNOWLOCATIONAND

FUNCTIONSOFALLCONTROLS

• KEEPALLSAFETYDEVICESAND
SHIELDSINPLACE.

• NEVERALLOWCHILDRENOR

UNINSTRUCTEDADULTSTO

OPERATETILLER,

• SHUTOFFENGINEBEFORE

UNCLOGGINGTINESORMAKING
REPAIRS.

• KEEPBYSTANDERSAWAYFROM

MACHINE.

• KEEPAWAYFROMROTAtiNG

PARTS.

• USEEXTREMECAUTIONWHEN

REVERSINGORPULUNGTHE

MACHINETOWARDSYOU

r_lV"_ '_ll,'--'ql _ V

Figure 2 Safety labels found on your unit

SECTION 4: UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

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

2. Remove all loose parts included with unit.

3. Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat.

4. Remove packing material.

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

SECTION 5: ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT

GASOLINE or OIL. After assembly, see separate
engine manual for proper fuel and engine oil

recommendations.

NOTE: Left and right is determined from the

operator's position, standing behind the tiller.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

(1)-1/2" Wrench or Socket*
(1)-Pair of Pliers
(1)-3/8" Wrench*

*An adjustable wrench may be used.

This owner's guide covers three different model
tillers. Models 340 thru 345 have forward tine

drive only. Model 390 has both forward and
reverse tine drive. Follow only the instructions

which pertain to your model tiller. See the model
plate on your tiller for the correct model number.

ATTACHING THE TAILPIECE AND DEPTH
STAKE

Remove the two self-tapping screws on the frame.
Slide the tailpiece into the frame, with the lower hole

in the tailpiece toward the front. Secure with screws

just removed. (See Figure 3.)

6. Extend control cable(s) to the rear of the tiller
and lay them on the floor. Be careful not to bend

or kink control cable(s).

All hardware required for assembly has been placed

in position on the tiller.

ATTACHING THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY

1. Remove the hex bolt and cupped washer from
the top right side of the frame halves. Hold the

cable guide bracket on the left side of the frame
as it will fall when the bolt is removed. (See
Figure 4.)

2. Insert the handle assembly between the two
frame halves. Insert the hex bolt just removed
through the frame halves, handle assembly, and

into the cable guide bracket (notch in cable

guide bracket goes over the flange on the
frame). Tighten securely.

3. Loosen the hand knob which secures the handle
brace to the handle assembly.

4. Remove the hex lock nut from on top of the
engine, just to the left of the spark plug. Attach

the curved end of the handle brace to the top of
the engine, using hex lock nut just removed.

Tighten securely. (See Figure 5.)

5. Select one of the three handle height positions
(three notches in welded bracket), and tighten

the hand knob to secure the handle in desired
position. Make certain carriage bolt is seated

securely into one of the three positions
provided.

Tailpiece

!

Lower

Hole

Self-Tapping

Screw

/

Figure 3

Hand Knob Spark Hex

Plug \ LockNut

\ JJ

\

\

\

\

Handle

Hex Bolt

Cupped

Washer

J

Frame Shoulder

Half Bolt

Figure 4

Hex

Lock Nut

Handle ---

Brace Spark /

Plug

/

/

/

Models 340, 342, & 390

Spark

Plug

Handle

Brace

j_J

Hex

Lock Nut

Models 343 & 345

Figure 5

A'n'ACHING CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE(S)

FORWARD CABLE

Attach the end of the forward cable to the bracket
underneath the handle assembly as follows. (On
model 390, the forward clutch cable is the cable
which is attached closer to the rear of the tiller).

1. Loosen the hex nut on the threaded rod near the
end of the cable, and move it up the rod as far
as it will go.

2. Unthread the rod from the rest of the cable.
Hook the "Z" end of the rod into the bracket

underneath the handle assembly from the right
hand side. (See .)

3. Thread the rod back into the cable until the cable
is straight. Do not tighten it enough to put any

tension on the spring.

4. Thread the hex nut down against the end of
cable. Use a pair of pliers and a wrench to lock
the nut against the rod.

NOTE: Do not overtighten control cable. Too much

tension may cause it to break when engaged.

"Z" End

Hooked In

Bracket

Threaded

Rod

Cable

Models 340 thru 345

Figure 6

REVERSE CABLE (Model 390 Only)

The reverse clutch cable is the cable which is
attached closer to the front of the tiller. Attach the
end of the reverse cable to the reverse tine drive
clutch lever, above the handle assembly, in the

same manner as you attached the forward cable.

(See Figure 7.)

Reverse Tine

Threaded

_ment Handle

Rod \

\

\

Hex Nut

Reverse

Cable

\,

"Z" End

Hooked In

Bracket

Model 390

Figure 7

FINAL CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT

To check the clutch cable adjustment, proceed as
follows.

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it
away from the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.

2. Engage and release the tine engagement
handle, then the reverse tine engagement lever

(model 390 only). If an excessive noise is heard

when releasing either the tine drive clutch

handle or lever, the cable may be too loose.

Adjust either the forward or reverse clutch cable

by loosening the hex nut, threading the rod into

the cable one or two turns, then retightening the

nut.

Reverse Tine

_ngagement Handle

Tine _

Engagement Handle

Models 340 thru 345

Figure 8

Model 390

SECTION 6: CONTROLS

THROTTLE CONTROL

The throttle control lever is located on the engine. It
controls the engine speed and stops the engine.

(See Figure 9.)

CHOKE LEVER (Model 340/390)

The choke lever is located above the throttle control.

It is used to enrich the fuel mixture when starting a

cold engine. (See Figure 9).

PRIMER BUTTON (Model 345)

The primer button is located behind the air cleaner. It

is used to enrich the fuel mixture in the carburetor

when starting a cold engine. (See Figure 9).

FORWARD TINE ENGAGEMENT HANDLE

.

With tine engagement handle in neutral
(released) as shown in Figure 8, pull the starter

rope several times. The tines should not turn.
If they turn forward, loosen the hex nut on the
forward cable (underneath the handle
assembly). See . If they turn toward the rear
(model 390 only), loosen the hex nut on the

reverse cable (above the handle assembly).
Unthread the rod from the cable 2 or 3 turns.

Retighten the hex nut, and check again for
correct adjustment. See Figure 8.

Choke

\

Throttle Control

Models 340, 342, & 390

The forward tine engagement handle is located
beneath the tiller handle. (See Figure 8). Squeezing
the handle up against the tiller handle engages the

tines. Release the handle to stop the tines.

REVERSE TINE DRIVE CLUTCH LEVER

(Model 390 Only)

The reverse tine drive clutch lever is located on top
of the handle panel. (See Figure 8). Pull the lever to

the rear to move the tines in reverse. Release the
lever to stop the reverse tine drive.

NOTE: Never engage both the forward and reverse

tine drives at the same time. Engaging both forward
and reverse tine drives at the same time could

damage the belt drives and cause the engine to stall.

SECTION 7: OPERATION

GAS AND OIL FILL-UP

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as
instructed in the separate engine manual packed

with your tiller. Read instructions carefully.

NOTE: Your tiller is shipped without oil; however, a

small amount of oil may be present from the factory.

__/__'_ / Air

"_'_ 1__/_.. _ J" Cleaner

Pr'mmer_ _j__ /_"

llj .(_,,_\_._Throttle

_ !j_r Fast/" \_ Control

Models 343 & 345

Figure 9

DEPTH STAKE

The depth stake controls the tilling depth. Refer to

HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER in Section 7.

TO START ENGINE

standing in front of the tiller while the

WARNING: Be sure no one is

engine is running or being started.