MTD 428C User Manual

Operator’s Manual

Rear Tine Tiller

Model Series 410

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning:

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.

This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

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

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO.

769-02358.fm

2/3/06

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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices 3 Assembling Your Tiller 5 Know Your Tiller 8 Operating Your Tiller 10 Making Adjustments 12

FINDING AND RECORDING MODEL NUMBER

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.

Content Page

Maintaining Your Tiller 13 Troubleshooting 15 Illustrated Parts List 16 Warranty 24

Model Number:

www.mtdproducts.com

Serial Number:

MTD LLC P. O. BOX CLEVELAND,OH 330-220-4683 800-800-7310

361131

44136

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it

was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

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:

1. Visit mtdproducts.com. Click on the Service & Support menu option.

2. Phone a Customer Support Representative at 1 (800) 800-7310.

3. 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.

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING:

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.

This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could

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

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.

This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

Tra in in g

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 (“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. 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. If gasoline 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 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

WARNING

TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY

1. READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL.

2. KNOW LOCATION AND FUNCTIONS

OF ALL CONTROLS.

3. KEEP ALL SAFETY DEVICES AND

SHIELDS IN PLACE AND WORKING.

4. NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN OR

UNINSTRUCTED ADULTS TO

OPERATE TILLER.

5. SHUT OFF ENGINE BEFORE

UNCLOGGING TINES OR MAKING

REPAIRS.

6. KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY FROM

MACHINE.

7. KEEP AWAY FROM ROTATING

PARTS.

8. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN

REVERSING OR PULLING THE

MACHINE TOWARDS YOU.

S32146

WARNING

KEEP AWAY FROM

ROTATING TINES.

ROTATING TINES

WILL CAUSE INJURY.

DEPTH

STAKE

TRANSPORT

speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.

8. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.

9. Look down and behind and use care when in reverse or pulling machine towards you.

10. Start the engine according to the instructions found in this manual and keep feet well away from the tines at all times.

11. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating.

12. Disengage all clutch levers and stop engine before you leave the operating position (behind the handles). Wait until the tines come to a complete stop before unclogging the tines, making any adjustments, or inspections.

13. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

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

15. Use caution when tilling near fences, buildings and underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause property damage or personal injury.

16. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to till soil to deep at to fast of a rate.

17. If the machine should start making an unusual noise or vibration, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. Inspect thoroughly for damage. Repair any damage before starting and operating.

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

19. Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is running.

20. Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in personal injury.

21. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer or telephone 1-800-800-7310 for assistance and the name of your nearest servicing dealer.

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. 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.

Your Responsibility

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

2. Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at

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

proper operation regularly.

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

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.

SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR TILLER

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.

To Remove Unit From Carton

• 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:

in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual before operating your machine.

This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil

Loose Parts In Carton

Depth Stake

Handle Assembly

Shift Rod

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

Before Assembly

• 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

T-Knob

Clevis Pin

Depth Stake

Hex Bolt

Hairpin Clip

Figure 1

Attaching Handle Assembly

• 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 and Flange Nut

WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent unintended starting.

Attaching Depth Stake

• 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

T-Handles

Bracket

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 Adjustment Crank

Retainer Bracket

Figure 4

Gear Shift Rod

Shift Cover

Handle Adjustment Rod (Model Series 420)

Opening

Rubber Washer Flat Washer Hairpin Clip

Figure 5

Attaching Clutch Cable

• Route the clutch cable underneath the handle and through the cable clip. Be careful not to bend or kink the cable. See Figure 6.

Handle Adjustment Crank

Attaching Gear Shift Rod

• 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.

Clutch Cable

Cable Clip

Figure 6

• 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.

Hex Nut

Lock Washer

Hex Nut

Z End

Slot in Cable Bracket

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.

• If the 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 7.

• 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).

(Viewed From Under Handle)

Figure 7

• 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 7.

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

Final Clutch Adjustment

IMPORTANT:

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.

Service the engine with oil and gasoline

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.

Tire Pressure

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. Check the 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.

SECTION 3: KNOW YOUR TILLER

Gear Selection Handle

Handle Adjustment Handle

Clutch Handle

Depth Stake

Model 410 Series

Figure 8

WARNING: Read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings on the machine and in this manual before operating.

Gear Selection Handle

The gear selection handle is located on the front of the handle assembly. It is used to select NEUTRAL, REVERSE, or one 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 8.

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.

Reverse

Reverse wheel drive only.

Neutral

Transmission is in neutral.

Wheels Forward

Forward wheel drive only.

Tines Reverse

Forward wheel drive and reverse tine drive.

WARNING: Make certain unit is in NEUTRAL when starting the engine.

Clutch Handle

The clutch handle is located beneath the handle. Squeezing the clutch handle against the handle engages the wheel and tine drive mechanisms. See Figure 8.

Throttle Control

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

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