OWNER'S MANUAL MODEL NO. MXR500 (96092000200) 5.5 HP 17 Inch Tiller • Assembly • Operation • Maintenance • Service and Adjustments • Storage • Troubleshooting • Repair Parts For Parts and Service, contact our authorized distributor: call 1-800-849-1297 For Technical Assistance: call 1-800-829-5886 ® 195557 Rev. 1 11.15.04 TR PRINTED IN U.S.A.
SAFETY RULES SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR WALK-BEHIND POWERED ROTARY TILLERS TRAINING • • • • • Read the Owner’s Manual carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the equipment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls quickly. Never allow children to operate the equipment. Never allow adults to operate the equipment without proper instruction. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children, and pets.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Gasoline Capacity: 3 Quarts (2.8L) Unleaded Regular Oil (API-SG-SL): (Capacity: 20 oz./0.6L) SAE 30 (Above 32°F/0°C) SAE 5w-30 (Below 32°F/0°C) Spark Plug : (Gap: .030"/0.76mm) Champion RC12YC • • • Read and observe the safety rules. Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your tiller. Follow instructions under “Maintenance” and “Storage” sections of this Owner’s Manual.
ASSEMBLY Your new tiller has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tiller, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY FRONT A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed.
ASSEMBLY UNPACKING CARTON (See Fig. 2) • CAUTION: Be careful of exposed staples when handling or disposing of cartoning material. Grasp handle assembly. Hold in “up” position. Be sure handle lock remains in gearcase notch. Slide handle assembly into position. HANDLE ASSEMBLY "UP" POSITION IMPORTANT: WHEN UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLING TILLER, BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRETCH OR KINK CABLES. • • • • • While holding handle assembly, cut cable ties securing handle assembly to top frame.
ASSEMBLY CONNECT SHIFT ROD (See Fig. 7) ATTACH CLUTCH CABLE (See Fig. 6) • • Hook end of clutch cable through hole in control bar bracket. • END OF CLUTCH CABLE Insert end of shift rod farthest from bend into hole of shift lever indicator. Insert hairpin clip through hole of shift rod to secure. SHIFT ROD CONTROL BAR BRACKET SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR HAIRPIN CLIP CONTROL BAR BRACKET CONTROL BAR FIG. 7 REMOVE TILLER FROM CRATE • CLUTCH CABLE • FIG.
OPERATION KNOW YOUR TILLER READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TILLER. Compare the illustrations with your tiller to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. These symbols may appear on your Tiller or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.
OPERATION The operation of any tiller can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting your tiller and while tilling. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses. HOW TO USE YOUR TILLER DEPTH STAKE (See Fig. 10) Know how to operate all controls before adding fuel and oil or attempting to start engine.
OPERATION TURNING CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 12) • • • • • • • Release the drive control bar. Move throttle control to “SLOW” position. Place shift lever indicator in “F” (forward) position. Tines will not turn. Lift handle to raise tines out of ground. Swing the handle in the opposite direction you wish to turn, being careful to keep feet and legs away from tines. When you have completed your turn-around, release the drive control bar and lower handle.
OPERATION TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 13) TILLING HINTS CAUTION: Keep drive control bar in “DISENGAGED” position when starting engine. CAUTION: Until you are accustomed to handling your tiller, start actual field use with throttle in slow position (mid-way between “FAST” and “IDLE”). When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine. • Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.
OPERATION CULTIVATING OUTER VIEW OF TIRE Cultivating is destroying the weeds between rows to prevent them from robbing nourishment and moisture from the plants. At the same time, breaking up the upper layer of soil crust will help retain moisture in the soil. Best digging depth is 1" to 3" (2.5-7.5 cm). Lower the outer side shields to protect small plants from being buried.
EV FO BE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE RE E MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AC ER H US Y5 E H EV O ER UR Y2 S 5H EV OU ER RS Y5 0H EV OU ER YS RS EA SO N MAINTENANCE SERVICE DATES Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil 1,2 Oil Pivot Points Inspect Spark Arrester / Muffler Inspect Air Screen Clean or Replace Air Cleaner Cartridge 2 Clean Engine Cylinder Fins Replace Spark Plug RH Gear Case Grease Fitting (1oz.
MAINTENANCE Disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance (except carburetor adjustment) to prevent accidental starting of engine. Prevent fires! Keep the engine free of grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Remove fuel from tank before tipping unit for maintenance. Clean muffler area of all grass, dirt, and debris. Do not touch hot muffler or cylinder fins as contact may cause burns. ENGINE LUBRICATION Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL.
MAINTENANCE MUFFLER COVER KNOB Do not operate tiller without muffler. Do not tamper with exhaust system. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters could create a fire hazard. Inspect periodically and replace if necessary. If your engine is equipped with a spark arrester screen assembly, remove every 50 hours for cleaning and inspection. Replace if damaged.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come into contact with plug. TILLER TIRE CARE TO ADJUST HANDLE HEIGHT (See Fig. 22) CAUTION: When mounting tires, unless beads are seated, overinflation can cause an explosion. Select handle height best suited for your tilling conditions. Handle height will be different when tiller digs into soil. • First loosen handle lock lever.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TINE REPLACEMENT (See Figs. 24, 25 and 26) • CAUTION: Tines are sharp. Wear gloves or other protection when handling tines. • A badly worn tine causes your tiller to work harder and dig more shallow. Most important, worn tines cannot chop and shred organic matter as effectively nor bury it as deeply as good tines. A tine this worn needs to be replaced.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REMOVE BELT GUARD (See Fig. 27) TO REPLACE GROUND DRIVE BELT (See Figs. 27 and 28) NOTE: For ease of removal, remove hairpin clip and clevis pin from left wheel. Pull wheel out from tiller about 1 inch (2.5 cm). • Remove screws from side of belt guard. • Remove hex nut and washer from bottom of belt guard (located behind wheel). • Pull belt guard out and away from unit. • Replace belt guard by reversing above procedure.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ENGINE TO ADJUST CARBURETOR The carburetor has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary. However, engine performance can be affected by differences in fuel, temperature, altitude or load. If the carburetor does need adjustment, contact your nearest authorized service center/department TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE (See Fig. 29) The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary.
STORAGE Immediately prepare your tiller for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. ENGINE OIL Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean oil. (See “ENGINE” in the Maintenance section of this manual). CAUTION: Never store the tiller with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM Will not start Hard to start Loss of power CAUSE CORRECTION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Out of fuel. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. Engine flooded. Dirty air cleaner. Water in fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Clogged fuel tank. Loose spark plug wire. 6. 7. 8. 9. Bad spark plug or improper gap. Carburetor out of adjustment. 8. 9. 1. 2. 3. 4. Throttle control not set properly. Dirty air cleaner. Bad spark plug or improper gap. Stale or dirty fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
LIMITED WARRANTY The Manufacturer warrants to the original consumer purchaser that this product as manufactured is free from defects in materials and workmanship. For a period of two (2) years from date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser, we will repair or replace, at our option, without charge for parts or labor incurred in replacing parts, any part which we find to be defective due to materials or workmanship. This Warranty is subject to the following limitations and exclusions. 1.
