MTD Series 250 User manual

SafetyoAssembly oOperation oTips &Techniques oMaintenance *Troubleshooting oParts Lists oWarranty
Front Tine Titter -- Model 250
READ SAFETY RULES AND mNSTRUCTmONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATmON
Warning: This unitisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedon or nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush=
coveredor grass=coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemis equippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalorstatelaws(ifany),
If a sparkarresterisused,itshouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator,Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),Otherstatesmayhavesimilarlaws,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,A sparkarrester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,RO,Box361131Cleveland,
Ohio44136=0019,
FORMNO,769=01660C
PRINTEDIN U,S,A, MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHiO 44136-0019 10/06/2005

This Operator's Manua_ is an important part of your new tiller, mtwH_ he_p you assemble,
prepare, and maintain the unit for best performance. P_ease read and understand what it says.
Table of Contents
Safety Labels ...................................................... 3 Maintenance ...................................................... 13
Off-Season Storage .......................................... 15
Parts List ........................................................... 16
Warranty ............................................ Back Cover
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFOREYOU BEGINASSEMBLINGYOUR NEW
EQUIPMENT,please locatethe modelplate onthe equipment
and copythe informationto the samplemodel plateprovided
to the righLYou can locatethe modelplate by looking at
the rearof the tine shield. Thisinformationis importantfor
usewhen visitingthe manufacturer'sweb site,obtaining
assistancefromthe CustomerSupportDepartment,or when
communicatingwith anauthorizedservice dealer.
f
Model Number
®
_www.mtdproducts.com
Serial Number
MTD LLC
P.O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, ON 44136
330-220-4683
800-800-731 0
Customer Support
Phase do NOTreturn the unit to the retaibr from which it was
purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
ifyou havedifficulty assemblingthis productor have anyquestions regardingthe controls,operation,or maintenanceof this
unit,youcan seekhelpfromthe expert& Choose fromthe options below:
o Visit mtdproducts.com. Click onthe Service & Supportmenuoption.
, Phonea Customer Support Representative at 1=800=800=731&
. The engine manufacturer is responsbb for all engine=relatedissueswith regardsto performance, power=rating,specifica-
tions,warrantyand service. Pleasereferto the engine manufacturer'sOwner's/Operator's Manual,packedseparatelywith
your unit, for more information.
Produc_ R.e gistr._t[or_
2

TO AVOID SERIOUS mNJURY
1.READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL.
2.KNOWLOCATIONANDFUNCTIONSOFALL
CONTROLS.
3,KEEPALL SAFETYDEVmCESAND SHIELDS
mNPLACEANDWORKING,
4.NEVERALLOWCHILDRENOR
UNINSTRUCTEDADULTSTOOPERATE
TILLER,
5, SHUTOFF ENGmNEBEFOREUNCLOGGING
TINES OR MAKmNGREPNRS.
& KEEPBYSTANDERSAWAYFROMMACHINE.
7. KEEP AWAY FROMROTATINGPARTS.
8, USE EXTREMECAUTIONWREN
REVERSINGOR PULUNG TRE MACHNE
TOWARDS YOU, WARNmNG
DO NOT remove safety I
3

Z_I_ ,a_'_ WARN NG Engne Exhaust someof tsconsttuents andcertanvehcecompo _
Lr ._......,Anentscontainoremitchem ca,sknowntoStateofCa,forn atocausecancerand
birth defectsor other reproductiveharm.
WARNING
This symbol points
instructionswhich, if
notfollowed, could
endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property
ofyourself and others.
ualbeforeattemptingto
operatethis machine.
these instructions
mayresultin personal
njury.Whenyousee
this symbol. HEED ITS
WARNING!
DANGER: This machine was builtto be operatedaccordingto the rulesfor safeoperation in this
manual As withany type of powerequipment,carelessnessor erroronthe partof the operatorcan
resultin seriousinjury.This machineis capable of amputatinghandsand feet and throwing objects.
Failureto observethe following safetyinstructionscould resultin seriousinjury or death.
Training
1. Read,understand,and fellowall instructionsonthe machine
and in the manual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleand
operate.Keepthismanualin asafeplaceforfutureand
regularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts.
2. Befamiliarwithall controlsand theirproperoperation.Know
howtostop themachine.
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethis
machine.Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand
understandthe operationinstructionsandsafetyrules in
this manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya
parent.
4. Neverallowadultsto operatethismachinewithout proper
instruction.
5. Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast75feet
fromthe machinewhile it isin operation.Stopmachineif
anyoneentersthe area.
Preparation
1. Thoroughlyinspectthe areawheretheequipmentistobe
used.Removeallstones,sticks,wire,andotherforeign
objectswhich couldbetripped overandcausepersonal
injury.
2 Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclosefitting
slacks andshirt. Loosefittingclothesor jewelrycan be
caughtin movableparts. Neveroperatethis machinein bare
feet or sandals.
3. Disengageclutchleversand shift(ifprovided)intoneutral
("N")beforestartingthe engine.
4. Neverleavethismachineunattendedwiththe engine
running.
5. Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedin the
operator'smanual.
6. To avoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextreme
carein handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineis spilledonyourselforyourclothes
whichcanignite.Washyourskinandchangeclothes
immediately.
7. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
8. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof
ignition.
9. Neverfuel machineindoors.
10.Neverremovegascapor addfuel whiletheengineishot or
running.
11.Allow enginetocoolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling
12.Neveroverfill fueltank. Filltankto nomorethan_J2inch
belowbottomoffiller neckto providespaceforfuel
expansion.
13. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
14. If gasolineisspilled,wipeit offthe engineand
equipment.Movemachinetoanotherarea.Wait5
minutesbeforestartingthe engine.
15. Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainerinsidenearan
openflame,sparkor pilotlight(e.g.furnace,wateror
spaceheater,clothesdryer,etc.).
16. Allowmachineto cool5minutesbeforestoring.
Operation
1. Donotput handsor feet nearrotatingparts.Contactwith
the rotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet.
2. Donotoperatemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcohol
or drugs.
3. Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibilityor light.
Alwaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepafirmhold onthe
handles.
4. Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,andchildrenatleast75 feet
fromthe machinewhileit is inoperation.Stopthe machineif
anyoneentersthe area.
5. Becarefulwhentillingin hardground.Thetines maycatch
inthe groundandpropelthe tillerforward.Ifthisoccurs,let
go ofthe handlebarsanddo notrestrainthe machine.
6. Exerciseextremecautionwhen operatingonor crossing
gravelsurfaces.Stayalertfor hiddenhazardsor traffic.
7. Neveroperatethe machineat hightransportspeedsonhard
or slipperysurfaces.
8. Exercisecautionto avoidslippingorfalling.
9. Lookdownandbehindand usecarewhenin reverseor
pullingmachinetowardsyou.
10.Startthe engineaccordingtothe instructionsfoundin this
manualandkeepfeet wellawayfromthetinesat alltimes.
11.Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnect
the sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engine
Thoroughlyinspectthe machineforany damage.Repairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperating.
12.Disengageall clutchlevers(iffitted)and stopenginebefore
youleavetheoperatingposition(behindthe handles).Wait
untilthetines cometoacompletestopbeforeunclogging
the tines,makinganyadjustments,orinspections.
13.Neverrunanengineindoorsorin a poorlyventilatedarea.
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand
deadlygas.
14.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Do
nottouch.
15.Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand
undergroundutilities.Rotatingtinescancauseproperty
damageor personalinjury.
4

16.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingtotill soilto
deepattoofast ofa rate.
17.Ifthe machineshouldstartmakinganunusualnoiseor
vibration,stopthe engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire
and groundit againstthe engine.Inspectthoroughlyfor
damage.Repairanydamagebeforestartingandoperating.
18.Keepallshields,guards,andsafety devicesin placeand
operatingproperly.
19.Neverpick uporcarry machinewhilethe engineis running.
20. Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedby the
manufacturer.Failuretodo socan resultin personalinjury.
21. Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis manual,use
careandgoodjudgment.Contactyourdealerortelephone
1-800-800-7310for assistanceandthe nameofyour
nearestservicingdealer.
Maintenance & Storage
1. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper
operationregularly.
2. Checkboltsandscrewsfor propertightnessatfrequent
intervalsto keepthe machinein safeworkingcondition.
Also,visuallyinspectmachineforanydamage.
3. Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,stopthe engine
andmakecertainthetinesand all movingpartshave
stopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundit
againstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.
4. Donotchangethe enginegovernorsettingsorover-speed
the engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafe
operatingspeedofthe engine.
5. Maintainor replacesafetyand instructionlabels,as
necessary.
6. Followthismanualfor safeloading,unloading,transporting,
andstorageofthismachine.
7. Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewhere
there isanopenflame,sparkor pilotlightsuchas a water
heater,furnace,clothesdryer,etc.
8. Alwaysrefertothe operator'smanualfor properinstructions
on off-seasonstorage.
9. Ifthe fueltank hasto bedrained,do thisoutdoors.
10.Observeproperdisposallawsand regulationsforgas,oil,
etc.to protectthe environment.
Your Responsibility
1. Restrictthe useofthis powermachinetopersonswhoread,
understand,andfollowthe warningsandinstructionsinthis
manualandonthe machine.
2. Thesafetylabelsonthetiller areshowninthe "Safety
Labels"section.Toensuresafeoperationofthe tiller,follow
the instructionsonall labelsclosely.
notfollowed,could
endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property
of yourselfand others.
Read and followall
these instructions
may result in personal
injury, When you see
this symbol, HEED ITS
WARNmNG!
\
5

NOTE:Standbehind
thetillerasifyouwere
goingtooperateit,Your
righthandcorresponds
totherightsideofthe
tiller;yourlefthand
correspondstotheIdt
sideofthetiller.
NOTE:Thisoperator's
manualmaycover
variousmodelsoftillers.
Theunitsillustrated
mayvaryslightlyfrom
thoseinstructionswhich
pertaintoyourmodel
number.
IMPORTANT
withoutgasolineoroil
instructedintheaccom-
panyingenginemanual
/_ -._ Figure3o3,
f- --_
Figure3-1: Removehardwarefromlowerhandle.
2. Positiontheupper handleontothe lower
handle,Step A Figure3-2. Align the hobs
on lowerhandlewith the hobs onthe upper
handle(choosethe upperor lower hobs
depending on the desired handle height).
3. insertcarriage bolts throughthe hobs and se_
cure with star knobs, Step B Figure3_2.Make
certain carriageboltsare seated securelyinto
one of the two positionsprovided.
/
'_. __ J
Figure3-3: Installleftsideof thefineclutchcontrol.
5. insert theZ-fittingon the clutch cable into
thehob on thefine clutchcontrol. Hook the
"Z"end intothe opening fromthe insideto
the outsideas shown in Figure34.
f
Figure3-4: Hookcableintotineclutchcontrol.
Figure3-2: Attachandsecureupperhandle.
6

Insertrightendintotheholeontherightside
oftheupperhandle,Figure3-5.
\\
/
Figure3-5: Installrightendoffineclutchcontrol. J
Assembly
NOTE: Stand behind
thetiller as ifyouwere
going to operate it. Your
tiller;your lefthand
correspondstothe left
side of thetiller.
NOTE: Thisoperator's
manualmay cover
various modelsoftillers
The units illustrated
mayvary slightly from
yourunit. Followonly
those instructionswhich
pertainto your model
number.
\
7

Know Your Titter
WARN
Use extreme care
when handling
gasoline. GasoJine is
extremeJy flammable
and the vapors are
explosive. Never fuei
the machine indoors
or whiJe the engine
is hot or running.
Extinguish cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, and
other sources of
ignition.
Keep hands and feet
away from the tines.
Refer to warning iabeJ
on the unit.
Figure4-1:The majorpartsofthetiller
_ ARNING:Read,understand,and
follow all instructionsand warnings
posted on the machine and inthis
manualbeforeoperating.
Tine Clutch Control
Theclutchcontrolleverislocatedontheupperhandle,
Squeezingtheleveragainstthehandleengagesthefine
drive,Releasethelevertostopthetinesfromturning,
Depth Stake
Thedepthstakeislocatedattherearofthefiller,
Handle Knobs
Thehandleheightmaybe adiusted,Loosentheknobs
andremovethecarriageboltsto changetheposition,
Reinstallandtightenthehardwarewhencomplete,
Front Whee_
Thefrontwheelcanberaisedandloweredfortransport
andstorage,Referto theWheelPositionsectionfor
instructions,
Engine Controls
NOTE:Seetheseparateenginemanualforadditional
informationandfunctionsof theenginecontrols,
ThrottJe ControJ
Thethrottlecontrolleverislocatedontheengine,It
controlstheengine'sspeedandstopstheengine,
, Withthethrottlecontrolmovedcompletelytothe left,
thecarburetorisin STARTor FASTposition,Use
maximumenginespeedfordeeptilling,
, Movethethrottlecontrollevertotherightto reduce
enginespeed,ThrottlecontrolshouldbeatIDLEfor
transportingthefiller,
• Movethethrottleallthewaytotherighttostopthe
engine,
Primer
Theprimer,locatedontheengine,isusedtopumpgas
intothecarburetorandaid instartingtheengine,Useit
tostarta coldengine,butdo notuseit torestarta warm
engineaftera shortshutdown,
Recoil Starter
Therecoilstarterislocatedontheengineand isusedto
manuallystarttheengine,
8

WARNING:Read,understand,and
follow all instructionsand warnings
postedon the machine and inthis
manualbefore operating.
Before Starting
Gas And Oil Fill°Up
Servicetheenginewithgasolineandoil asinstructedin
theseparateenginemanualpackedwithyourtiller.Read
instructionscarefully.
WARNING:Useextremecarewhen
handling gasoline. Gasoline isex-
tremely flammable andthe vapors are
explosive. Neverfuel machine indoors
or while the engine ishot or running.
Starting Engine
WARNING:Besure no one isstanding
infront of the tiller while the engineis
running or being started.
1. Attachsparkplugwiretosparkplug.Makesurethe
metalcapontheendofthesparkplugisfastened
securelyoverthemetaltipon thesparkplug.
2. Makesurethatthefineclutchcontrolisdisengaged.
3. PlacethethrottlecontrolintheFASTposition.
4. Forfirsttimestart=up,firmlypressengineprimerfive
(5) times.Forall futurestarts,pressthree(3) times.
Waitabouttwo secondsbetweeneachpress.
5. Placelefthandongastank.Grasprecoilstarterand
pullropeoutslowlyuntilenginereachesthe beginning
ofitscompressioncycle(ropewillpullslightlyharder
atthispoint).
6. Pullropewitha rapid,continuous,fullarmstroke.
Keepa firmgripon handle.Letroperewindslowly.Do
notletrecoilstartersnapbackagainstengine.Repeat
untilenginestarts.
Stopping Engine
1. MovethrottlecontrollevertoSTOPor OFFposition.
2. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplugand
groundagainsttheengine.
Using Your Titter
Yourfiller(alsoknownasacultivator)isa precisionbuilt
machinedesignedforseedbed preparation,cultivating,
furrowing,and mulching.It isengineeredtominimize
thehardestworkin thevegetableorflowergarden,totill
thesoilforplantingandcultivating,andtoperformmany
otherusefullaborsavingtasksinthegarden.
WheeR Position
Thetillerisshippedwiththewheelsadiustedsuchthat
theunitsitslevel.Beforefilling,thefrontwheelmustbe
raised.Todothis,pullthewheelbracketassemblydown
towardsthegroundand lift up,Figure4=2.Thewheel
willmoveintotillingposition.Fortransportingthetiller,
reversethestepstolowerthewheel
,f _..
Figure4-2:WheelAdjustment
Depth Stake
Thedepthstakeactsasa brakeforthetillerandcontrols
thedepthandspeedatwhichthemachinewilloperate,
Figure4=3.
Figure4-3:TheDepthStake .J i ill i _n i _ii
9

coot ommiogsdaod co,,,vo,,o
....... Forcultivating atwo tothreeinchdepthisdesirable,The
Tlt ln g Depth throttleshouldbe settocontrolforwardmovementto a
Whenfilling,leaveapproximately8 inchesofuntilledsoil slowwalkingspeed,Withtheoutertinesinstalled,the
rTimler
betweenthefirstandsecondfillingpaths,thenmake
thethirdpathbetweenthefirstandsecond,Figure4=4,
Insomesoils,thedesireddepthisobtainedthefirst
timeoverthegarden,Inothersoils,thedesireddepth
isobtainedbygoingoverthegardentwo orthreetimes,
Passesshouldbemadeacrossthelengthandwidth
ofthegardenalternately,Rockswhichareturnedup
shouldberemovedfromthegardenarea.
workingwidthofthemachineis22or 24inches,
Forcultivation,thismaybereducedto 13inchesby
removingtheoutertines,refertotheAdiustmentSection,
Whenlayingoutplantrows,be suretoallowenough
widthtopermitcultivationbetweenthe rows,Ingrowing
cornor similarcrops,check=rowplantingwillpermitcross
cultivationandpracticallyeliminatehandhoeing,Figure
4=5,
than the Operator is
stand!rig near the ti!!er
whi!e starting engine
or operating the un!t.
Never run engine
indoors or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated
areas, Eng!ne exhaust :
monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas. Keep
hands, feet, hair and
looseclothing away
from any moving parts
on engine and tiller. '
Figure4-4:Recommendedtillerpaths.
Handle Pressure
Furthercontroloftillingdepthandtravelspeedcanbe
obtainedbyvariationof pressureonthehandles,
Adownwardpressureonthehandleswillreducethe
workingdepthandincreasetheforwardspeed,An
upwardpressureon thehandleswill increasethe
workingdepthandreducetheforwardspeed,
Thetype ofsoilandworkingconditionswilldetermine
theactualsettingofthedepthstakeandthehandle
pressurerequired,
Figure4-5:Allowenoughareabetweenrows.
Thetillerhasmanyusesotherthanfillingandcultivating
a garden,Oneoftheseisthepreparationoflawnareafor
seeding,Thetillerwillpreparea deepseedbedwhichwill
befreeofharduntilledspots,allowingabetterstandof
grasstogrow,Thefillerisveryusefulforlooseninghard
soilforexcavationwithashovel;Notedioushandworkwill
be necessary,Yourfillermaybeusedformixingcompost
inthepileor formixingit withthesoilin yourgarden,This
shouldbedoneafterthesoilhasbeenbrokentothefull
workingdepth,Thecompostshouldbeworkedinto a
depthofsixto seveninches,Thismaybedonebyworb
ingthelengthofthegardenandthenbymakingseparate
passesacrossits width,Theadditionof decayedorganic
matterwillsubstantiallyincreasethefertilityofyour
garden,Forproperdecayingaction,fertilizershouldbe
appliedandworkedinwiththemulchmaterials,Breaking
up leavesandstrawandmixingitwithseveralinchesof
soilallowsproperaerationoftheplantrootsystemand
retardsthegrowthofweeds,
10