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 forestcovered, 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)		Copy the model number here:
					Copy the serial number here:
		MTD PRODUCTS INC
	CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136

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.

NOTE: Not all safety labels may apply to your cultivator.

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 [phone] 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.

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SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR CULTIVATOR

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 mower.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the cultivator is observed from the operating position.

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.

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.

•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	Upper Handle
		Connector
			Connector

Figure 1

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.

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	B	C
Close	Partial	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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