MTD Series 250 User manual

Safety. Assembly =Operation ,Tips &Techniques -Maintenance -Troubleshooting - Parts Lists oWarranty
OP BATOB'$ rVIAN UA L
Front Tine Tilner mModel 250
IMPORTANT
READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATION
Warning: Thisunitisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineandshouldnotbeusedonornearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brush-
coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwithasparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any),,
Ifa sparkarresterisused,itshouldbemaintainedineffectiveworkingorderbytheoperator,IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequiredbylaw
(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode),,Otherstatesmayhavesimilartaws,,Federallawsapplyonfederallands,Asparkarrester
forthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestengineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,P,QBox361131Cleveland,
Ohio44t36-00t9
FORMNO 769-01660D
PRINTED IN U SA MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND_ OHIO 44136-0019 t0/27/2006

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
Safety Labels ...................................................... 3
Safety ................................................................... 4
Assembly ............................................................. 6
Operation ............................................................. 8
Adjustments ...................................................... 12
Maintenance ...................................................... 13
Troubleshooting ................................................ 14
Off-Season Storage .......................................... 15
Parts List ........................................................... 16
Warranty ............................................. Back Cover
MTDLLCreservestherighttochangeproductspecifications,designs,andequipmentwithoutnoticeandwithoutincurringobligation
Finding and Recording Model Number
BEFORE YOU BEGIN ASSEMBLING "YOURNEW
EQUIPMENT, please locate the model plate on the equipment
and copy the information to the sample model plate provided
to the right°You can locate the model plate by lookingat
the rear of the tine shield°This information is important for
use when visiting the manufacturer's web site, obtaining
assistance from the Customer Support Department, or when
communicating with an authorized service dealer
f
Model Number
®
www.mtd products,com
'._,
Serial Number
MTD LLC
P.O. BOX 361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-220-4683
800-800-7310
Customer Support
Please do NOTreturn the unit to the retailer from which 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 carl seek help from the experts_Choose from theoptions below:
•Visit mtdproducts.com
• Call a Customer Support Representative at 1-800-800-7310_
• The engine manufacturer isresponsible for all engine-related issues with regards toperformance, power-rating, specifica-
tions, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual, packed separately with
your unit, for more information
2

Safety Labels Found On Your Tiller
KEEP AWAY FROM ROTATING
TINES, ROTATINGTINES WILL
CAUSEINJURY.
llllllllllJJll/ II Jl I II II
TO AVOgD SERmOUS gHIJURY
•Readthe operator'smanual
Knowlocationandfunctionsofallcontols.
- Keep.allsafetydevicesandshieldsinplaceand
working.
"Neverallowchildrenor uninstructedadultsto
operatetiller.
•Shut off engine beforeuncloggingtines or
makingrepairs.
•Keepbystandersawayfrommachine.
Keepawayfrom rotatingparts.
•Use extreme caution wh.en reversing or
pu,ing the machinetowarusyou.
3
Safety
Labels
WARNING
DO NOTremovesafety
(or any)labelsfrom
tiller for anyreason.
J

Safe
Dperation
Practices
WARNING
This symbol points
outimportantsafety
instructionswhich, if
not followed, could
endanger the personal
safety and/or property
ofyourselfandothers.
Read and follow aH
instructionsinthis man-
ualbefore attempting to
operate this machine.
Failureto complywith
theseinstructions
may result in personal
injury. When you see
this symbol,HEEDITS
WARNING!
-y
,__ WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of itsconstituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
,J
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 injuryor death.
Training
I.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthemachine
andinthemanua!(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleand
operateKeepthismanualinasafeplaceforfutureand
regularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts
2 BefamiliarwithallcontrotsandtheirproperoperationKnow
howtostopthe machine
3. Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethis
machineChildren14yearsoldandovershouldreadand
understandtheoperationinstructionsandsafetyrulesin
thismanualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbya
parent
4, Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithoutproper
instruction
5 Keepbystanders,helpers,petsandchildrenatleast75feet
fromthemachinewhileitisin operationStopmachineif
anyoneentersthearea
Preparation
I Thoroughlyinspectthe areawheretheequipmentistobe
used Removeallstones,sticks,wire,andotherforeign
objectswhichcouldbetrippedoverandcausepersonal
injury
2 Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclosefitting
slacksandshirt Loosefittingclothesorjewelrycanbe
caughtinmovableparts Neveroperateth;smachineinbare
feetorsandals
3 Disengageclutchleversandshift(ifprovided)intoneutral
('N") beforestartingtheengine
4 Neverleavethis machineunattendedwiththeengine
running.
5. Neverattempttomakeanyadjustmentswhileengineis
running,exceptwherespecificallyrecommendedinthe
operator'smanual
6 Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextreme
careinhandlinggasolineGasolineisextremelyflammable
andthevaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycan
occurwhengasolineisspilIedonyourselforyourctothes
whichcanignite Washyourskinandchangeclothes
immediately.
7. Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer
8. Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof
ignition
9 Neverfuelmachineindoors.
10.Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengineishotor
running
11.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling
12.Neveroverfi!lfueltank Filltanktonomorethan1,_inch
belowbottomoffillernecktoprovidespaceforfuel
expansion.
13. Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely
14. ffgasolineisspilIed,wipeilofftheengineand
equipmentMovemachinetoanotherarea Wait5
minutesbeforestartingtheengine
15. Neverstorethe machineorfuelconlainerinsidenearan
openflame,sparkorpilotlight(eg furnace,wateror
spaceheater,clothesdryer,etc)
16 Allowmachinetocool5minutesbeforestoring
Operation
1. DonotputhandsorfeetnearrolatingpartsContactwith
therotatingpartscanamputatehandsandfeet
2. Donotoperatemachinewhi_eundertheinfluenceofalcohol
or drugs
3. Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibilityortight
AMaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepa firmholdonthe
handles.
4 Keepbystanders,helpers,pets,andchiIdrenatleast75feet
fromthemachinewhiteit isin operationStopthemachineif
anyoneentersthearea
5. Becarefulwhentillingin hardgroundThetinesmaycatch
in thegroundandpropelthetillerforward.Ifthisoccurs,let
goofthehandlebarsanddonotrestrainthemachine
6 Exerciseextremecautionwhenoperatingonorcrossing
gravelsurfacesStayalertforhiddenhazardsortraffic.
7 Neveroperatethemachineathightransportspeedsonhard
or slipperysurfaces
8 Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingorfailing
9Lookdownandbehindandusecarewheninreverseor
pullingmachinetowardsyou
10.Starttheengineaccordingtotheinstructionsfoundinthis
manua}andkeepfeetwellawayfromthetinesatalltimes.
tl. Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnect
thesparkplugwireandgroundagainsttheengine
ThoroughlyinspectthemachineforanydamageRepairthe
damagebeforestartingandoperating
i2. Disengageallclutchlevers(iffitted)andstopenginebefore
youleavetheoperatingposition(behindthehandles).Wait
untilthetinescometoa completestopbeforeunclogging
thetines,makinganyadjustments,orinspections
13 Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea
Engineexhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessand
deadlygas.
I4. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn Do
nottouch
t5 Usecautionwhentillingnearfences,buildingsand
undergroundutilities.Rolatingtinescancauseproperty
damageorpersonalinjury
4

i •...........................,...............................,f
16 Do notoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingtotillsoil1o
deepattoofastof arate
I7 tfthemachineshouldstartmakinganunusualnoiseor
vibration,stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplugwire
andgrounditagainsttheengineInspectthoroughlyfor
damage_Repairanydamagebeforestartingandoperaling
18 Keepallshields,guards,andsafetydevicesin placeand
operatingpropedy
19 Neverpickuporcarrymachinewhiletheengineis running
20 Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesapprovedbythe
manufacturer.Failuretodoso canresultinpersonaliniury
21 Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,use
careandgoodjudgmentContaclyourdealerortelephone
1-800-800-7310for assistanceandthenameofyour
neareslservicingdealer
Maintenance & Storage
1 NevertamperwithsafetydevicesChecktheirproper
operalionregularly
2 Checkboltsandscrewsforpropertightnessatfrequent
intervalstokeepthemachineinsafeworkingcondition
Also,visuallyinspectmachineforanydamage
3 Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,stoptheengine
andmakecertainthetinesandallmovingpartshave
stopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundit
againstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.
4.. Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speed
theengineThegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafe
operatingspeedofthe engine
5 Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as
necessary.
6 Fol!owthismanualforsafeloading,unloading,transporting,
andstorageofthismachine
7. Neverstorethemachineorfue!containerinsidewhere
thereis anopenflame,sparkorpilotlightsuchasawater
heater,furnace,clothesdryer,etc
8 Alwaysrefertotheoperator'smanualforproperinstructions
onoff-seasonstorage
9 Ifthefue!tankhastobedrained,dothisoutdoors
10.ObserveproperdisposaIlawsandregulationsforgas,oil,
etc to protecttheenvironment.
Your Responsibility
1 Restricttheuseofthispowermachinetopersonswhoread,
understand,andfollowthewarningsandinstructionsinthis
manualandonthemachine
2 Thesafetylabelsonlhetillerareshowninthe"Safety
Labels"seclionTo ensuresafeoperationotthetiller,foUow
theinstructionsonel(labelsclosely Safe
Operation
Practices
WARNING
Thissymbolpoints
outimportantsafety
instructionswhich,if
not followed, could
endanger the personal
safetyand/orproperty
of yourself and others_
Read and follow all
instructions in this man-
ual before attempting to
operatethis machine_
Failuretocomplywith
these instructions
mayresultin personal
injury. When you see
this symbol, HEED ITS
WARNING!

Assembly
NOTE:Standbehind
thetillerasifyouwere
goingtooperateit.Your
righthandcorresponds
tothe rightsideofthe
tiller;your lefthand
correspondsto theleft
sideofthetiller,
NOTE:Thisoperator's
manualmaycover
variousmodelsoftillers,
Theunitsillustratedmay
varyslightlyfromyour
unit.
IMPORTANT:
This unit is shipped
without gasoline or oil
in the engine. Fill up
gasoline and oil as
instructed in the accom-
panying engine manual
BEFORE operating your
machine.
,,.,, j
Assembly
1. Remove tile star handle knobs and carriage 4. Insert left end of tine clutch control intothe
bolts from the lower handle, Figure 3-1. hole on the left side of the upper handle,
Figure 3-3.
Figure3-1:Removehardwarefromlowerhandle,
2_ Position tile upper handle onto the lower
handle, Step A Figure 3-2. Align tile holes
on lower handle with the holes on the upper
handle (choose the upper or lower holes
depending on tile desired handle height).
3. Insert carriage bolts through the holes and se-
cure with star knobs, Step B Figure 3-2. Make
certain carriage bolts are seated securely into
one ofthe two positions provide&
f
Figure3-3: Installeftsideofthetineclutchcontrol.
5. Insert the Z-fitting on the clutch cable into
the hole on the tine clutch control. Hook the
"Z" end into the opening from the inside to
the outside as shown in Figure 3-4.
Figure3-4: HookcableintolinecMch control
Rgure 3-2: Attach andsecure upper handie,
6

6, Squeeze the line clutch control inward.
Insert right end into the hole on the right side
of the upper handle, Figure 3-5.
f
Figure3-5: Install right end ofline clutch controI
7
Assembly
NOTE: Stand behind
the tiller as ifyou were
going to operate it. Your
right hand corresponds
to the right side of the
tiller; your left hand
corresponds to the left
side of the tiller_
NOTE: This operator's
manual may cover
various models of tillers.
The units illustrated may
vary slightly from your
unit.
%,,¸¸

Operating
Your Tiller
WARNING
Thetineclutchcontroli
isa safetydevice.Never
attempttobypassits
operation° ....
handlinggasoline.: :
Gasolineisextremely
flammableandthevapors
areexplosive.Neverfuel
themachineindoorsor
whiletheengineishot
orrunning°Extinguish
cigarettes,cigars,pipes,
andothersourcesof
ignition°
i:
Keephandsandfeet away
from thetines.Referto
warninglabelontheunit.
Thisoperator'smanual
maycovervariousmodels
oftillers°Theunitsil-
lustratedmayvaryslightly
fromyourunit.
Know Your Tiller
Tine
Clutch
Control \-.
ClutchCable __
HandleKnobs _
Recoil
Starter
DepthStake
Tines_
Figure4-t: The major partsofthe rifler
_ARNING:Read,understand,and
followallinstructionsandwarnings
postedonthemachineandinthis
manualbeforeoperating,
Tine Clutch Control
Theclutchcontrolleverislocatedontheupperhandle
Squeezingtheleveragainstthehandleengagesthetine
drive,Releasethelevertostopthetinesfromturning.
Depth Stake
ThedepthstakeislocatedattherearofthetilIer
Handle Knobs
Thehandleheightmaybeadjuste&Loosentheknobs
andremovethecarriageboltstochangetheposition.
Reinstallandtightenthehardwarewhencomplete
Front Wheel
Thefrontwheelcanberaisedandloweredfortransport
andstorage..RefertotheWheelPositionsectionfor
instructions.
Engine Controls
NOTE:Refertoenginemanualforadditionalinformation
andfunctionsoftheenginecontrols
Throttle Control (If Equipped)
Thethrottlecontrolleverislocatedontheengine,It
controlstheengine'sspeedandstopstheengine,.
• Usemaximumenginespeedwhentilling,
* Stoptheenginewhentranportingthetiller,
Primer
Theprimer,locatedontheengine,isusedtopumpgas
intothecarburetorandaidinstartingtheengine.Useit
tostartacoldengine,butdonotuseittorestartawarm
engineaftera shortshutdown.
Recoil Starter
Therecoilstarterislocatedontheengineandisusedto
manuallystarttheengine
8

_ARNING:Read,understand,andfollow
all instructionsandwarningspostedonthe
machineandin thismanualbeforeoperating.
Before Starting
GasAndOilFill-Up
Servicetheenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedin
theseparateenginemanua!packedwithyourtillerRead
instructionscarefully
_ ARNING:Useextremecarewhenhandling
gasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable
andthe vaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachine
indoorsor whilethe engineis hotor running,
Starting Engine
_k ARNING:Besure nooneisstandinginfront
ofthetillerwhiletheengineisrunningor
beingstarted.
Wheel Position
Thetillerisshippedwiththewheelsadjustedsothat
theunitsitslevel+Beforetilling,thetrontwheelmustbe
raised_Todothis,pullthewheelbracketassemblydown
towardsthegroundandliftup,Figure4-2.Thewheelwill
moveintotillingpositionFortransportingorstoringthe
tiller,reversethestepstolowerthewheel..
It"
Refertotheenginemanualfor instructions°
t. Attachsparkplugwiretosparkplug Makesurethe
metalcapontheendofthesparkplugisfastened
securelyoverthemetaltiponthesparkplug..
2, Makesurethatthetineclutchcontrolisdisengaged..
3 Placethethrottlecontrol(ifequipped)in theFAST
position
4o Forfirsttimestart-up,firmlypressengineprimerfive
(5)times.ForalIfuturestarts,pressthree(3)times
Waitabouttwosecondsbetweeneachpress.
5. Placelefthandongastank Grasprecoilstarterand
pullropeoutslowlyuntilenginereachesthebeginning
ofits compressioncycle(ropewillpullslightlyharder
atthispoint)..
6. Pullropewitharapid,continuous,fullarmstroke.
Keepafirmgriponhandle,LetroperewindslowlyDo
notletrecoilstartersnapbackagainstengine..Repeat
untilenginestarts.
Stopping Engine
t. Movethrottlecontrollever(ifequipped)toSTOPor
OFFposition,Refertotheenginemanualforinstruc-
tionsonstoppingtheengine.
2. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplugand
groundagainsttheengine.
Using Your Tiller
Yourtillerisdesignedforseedbedpreparation,cultivat-
ing,furrowing,andmulching.
Figure4-2:WheelAdjustment
Depth Stake
Thedepthstakeactsasabrakeforthetillerandcontrols
thedepthandspeedatwhichthemachinewi!loperate,
Figure4-3.
f-. _._
\
\
........................... J
Figure 4-3:The Deplh Slake
Transporting and
Storing the Tiller
Totransportandstorethetiller,lowerthefrontwheel,
Figure4:2,
9
Operating
Your Tiller
WARNING
Be sure no one other
than the operatoris
standing nearthetiller
while starting engine
or operating the unit.
Never run engine
indoors or in enclosed,
poorly ventilated
areas. Engine exhaust
contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless
and deadly gas. Keep
hands, feet, hair and
loose clothing away
from any moving parts
on engine and tiller.
Referto the engine
manualfor detailed
engineinstructions.
\ ...................... i

Operating
Your Tiller
WARNING
Besure noone other
than the operatoris
standingnearthe tiller
whilestartingengine
or operatingthe unit.
Neverrun engine
indoorsor inenclosed
poorlyventilated
areas.Engineexhaust
containscarbon
monoxide,anodorless
anddeadlygas. Keep
hands,feet, hairand
looseclothingaway
from anymovingparts
onengineandtiller.
Referto the engine
manualfor detailed
instructionspertaining
tothe enginecontrols.
Controlling Speed and
Tilling Depth
Whentilling,leaveapproximatelyeightinchesof
untilledsoilbetweenthefirstandsecondtillingpaths,
thenmakethethirdpathbetweenthefirstandsecond,
Figure44 Insomesoiis,thedesireddepthisobtained
thefirsttimeoverthegarden,inothersoils,thedesired
depthisobtainedbygoingoverthegardentwoorthree
timesPassesshouldbemadeacrossthelengthand
widthofthegardenalternately.Rockswhichareturned
upshouldberemovedfromthegardenare&
f --._
i:_:_::_::!i"!i _:::_:i,+_i_:,!_:,_i_,!
_:i:iii::i:i::_i:/:::i:;J__i::;:::¸ 5
Figure4-4:Recommendedtillerpaths
Handle Pressure
Furthercontroloftillingdepthandtravelspeedcanbe
obtainedbyvariationofpressureonthehandles.
Adownwardpressureonthehandleswillreducethe
workingdepthandincreasetheforwardspeed.An
upwardpressureonthehandleswillincreasethe
workingdepthandreducetheforwardspeed.
Thetypeofsoilandworkingconditionswilldetermine
theactualsettingofthedepthstakeandthehandle
pressurerequired.
Cultivating
Forcultivating,atwotothreeinchdepthisdesirableWith
theoutertinesinstalled,theworkingwidthofthemachine
is22or24inche&
Forcultivation,thetinewidthcanbereducedto13inches
byremovingtheoutertines,refertotheAdjustmentSec-
tion..Whenlayingoutplantrows,be suretoallowenough
widthtopermitcultivationbetweentherows ingrowing
cornorsimilarcrops,check-rowplantingwillpermitcross
cultivationandpracticallyeliminatehandhoeing,Figure
4-5.
Figure4-5:Allowenoughareabetweenrows
Thetillerhasmanyusesotherthantillingandcultivating
agardenOneoftheseisthepreparationoflawnareafor
seeding.Thetillerwillpreparea deepseedbedwhichwill
befreeofharduntilledspots,allowinga betterstandof
grasstogrowThetillerisveryusefulforlooseninghard
soilforexcavationwithashovel;Notedioushandworkwill
benecessaryYourtillermaybeusedformixingcompost
inthepileorformixingitwiththesoilin yourgardenThis
shouldbedoneafterthesoilhasbeenbrokentothefull
workingdepth.Thecompostshouldbeworkedintoa
depthofsixtoseveninches.Thismaybedonebywork-
ingthelengthofthegardenandthenbymakingseparate
passesacrossitswidth.Theadditionofdecayedorganic
matterwillsubstantiallyincreasethefertilityofyour
garden_Forproperdecayingaction,fertilizershouldbe
appliedandworkedinwiththemulchmaterials.Breaking
upleavesandstrawandmixingitwithseveralinchesof
soilallowsproperaerationoftheplantrootsystemand
retardsthegrowthofweeds..
10