Yard-Man 21A-144R401 User Manual
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Cultivator
Model Number
21A-144R401
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 368022 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-9722.
MTD PRODUCTS INC. P.O. BOX 368022 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-9722
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO.
770-10457.fm
(5/02)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Important Safe Operation Practices...................................................................3
Assembling Your Cultivator................................................................................5
Know Your Cultivator ......................................................................................... 5
Operating Your Cultivator .................................................................................. 6
Maintaining Your Cultivator................................................................................ 8
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................11
Parts List............................................................................................................12
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new cultivator. 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. 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 looking down in front of the engine on the cultivator. 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.
(Model Number)
(Serial Number)
MTD PRODUCTS INC
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CALLING CUSTOMER SUPPORT
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or
maintenance of this unit, please call the 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.
For more details about your unit, visit our website at www.yardman.com
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SECTION 1: 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 this machine. 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: 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 50 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 closefitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes or
jewelry can be caught in movable parts. Never
operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.
3. Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked as
meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards and ear/hearing
protection when operating this unit. Wear a face or
dust mask if the operation is dusty.
4. This unit has a clutch. The tines remain stationary
when the engine is idling. If they do not, have the
unit adjusted by an authorized service dealer.
5. Squeeze the throttle control and check that it
returns automatically to the idle position.
6. Never leave this machine unattended with the
engine running.
7. Never attempt to make any adjustments while
engine is running, except where specifically
recommended in the operator’s manual.
8. 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.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and
other sources of ignition.
c. Never fuel machine indoors.
d. Never remove gas cap or add while the
engine is hot or running.
e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes
before refueling.
f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more
than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to
provide space for fuel expansion.
g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine
and equipment. Move machine to another
area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the
engine.
i. Never store the machine or fuel container
inside where there is an open flame, spark,
or pilot light (e.g. furnace, water heater,
space heater, clothes dryer, etc.)
j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes
before storing.
OPERATION
1. Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts.
Contact with the rotating parts can amputate
fingers, 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.
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4. Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at
least 50 feet from the machine while it is in
operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
5. Be careful when cultivating in hard ground. The
tines may catch in the ground and propel the
cultivator forward. If this occurs, let go of the handle
and do not restrain the machine.
6. Never operate the machine at high transport
speeds on hard or slippery surfaces.
7. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling.
8. Look down, behind, and use care when pulling
machine towards you.
9. Start the engine according to the instructions found
in this manual and keep feet well away from the
tines at all times.
10. 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.
11. Disengage all clutch and stop engine before you
leave the operating position (behind the handle).
Wait until the tines come to a complete stop before
unclogging the tines, making any adjustments, or
inspections.
12. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
13. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.
14. Use caution when cultivating near fences, buildings
and underground utilities. Rotating tines can cause
property damage or personal injury.
15. Do not overload machine capacity by attempting to
cultivate soil to deep or to fast of a rate.
16. 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.
17. Keep all shields, guards and safety devices in place
and operating properly.
18. Never pick up or carry machine while the engine is
running.
19. Use only attachments and accessories approved
by the manufacturer. Failure to do so, can result in
personal injury.
20. 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.
Maintenance And 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.
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.
WARNING: 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.
NOTE: Not all safety labels may apply to your cultivator.
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SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR CULTIVATOR
IMPORTANT:
in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline
and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual
before operating your mower.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the
cultivator is observed from the operating position.
This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil
Removing 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 if included with unit (e.g.,
operator’s manual, safety glasses, etc.)
• Cut along corners, lay carton down flat, and remove
packing material.
• Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton
thoroughly for loose parts.
Disconnecting Spark Plug Wire
Before setting up your cultivator, disconnect the spark
plug wire from the spark plug and ground to a stud on
the engine.
• Position the connectors aligning the marked line on
the upper connector with the middle marked line on
the lower connector.
• To secure the upper and lower handle, tighten the
wing nuts and washers (carriage bolts must be
seated properly into the handle and grooves must
line up between connectors).
• Tighten the cable ties on the left side of handle.
Marked
Lines
Carriage
Bolt
Wing Nut
Lower Handle
Connector
Upper Handle
Connector
Setting Up Your Cultivator
• Loosen each wing nut enough to separate the
plastic connectors between the upper and lower
handle. Gently lift up and pull back on the upper
handle to raise the handle toward the operating
position. See Figure 1.
• Separate the connectors and position the bottom
tip of upper handle connector in front of the bottom
tip of lower handle connector.
• The lower handle connector has three marked lines
on the top and the upper handle connector has one
marked line.
SECTION 3: KNOW YOUR CULTIVATOR
Read this operator’s manual and safety rules before
operating your cultivator. Compare the illustrations in
Figure 2 with your cultivator to familiarize yourself with
the location of various controls and adjustments. Save
this manual for future reference.
Starter Handle
The starter handle is attached to an eyebolt in the front
of the engine.
Throttle Lever
The throttle lever is located on the upper handle.
Squeezing the lever against handle speeds up the
engine and engages the cultivator tines. Release the
handle to stop the tines.
Figure 1
Choke Lever
The choke lever is located on the right side of engine
and it is used to enrich the fuel mixture when starting a
cold engine.
A
Close
B
Partial
C
Open
Primer Button
The primer button is located on the right side of engine
and it is used in conjunction with the choke to enrich the
fuel mixture in the carburetor when starting a cold
engine.
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