Manual

ManualsBrandsMTD ManualsTillerTHRU 390 Official MTD front tine gas tiller

OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Front Tine Tillers

Models

340 Thru 390

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 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO. 770-10135B

(11/01)

Summary of content (24 pages)

PAGE 1
OPERATOR'S MANUAL Front Tine Tillers Models 340 Thru 390 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.
PAGE 2
TABLEOFCONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3 Assembling Your Tiller ....................................................................................... 5 Know Your Tiller ................................................................................................. 7 Operating Your Tiller .......................................................................................... 8 Making Adjustments ...
PAGE 3
SECTION1: IMPORTANT SAFEOPERATION 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.
PAGE 4
9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Lookdownandbehindandusecarewhenin reverse orpullingmachine towards you. Starttheengine according totheinstructions found inthismanual andkeepfeetwellawayfromthe tinesatalltimes. Afterstriking a foreignobject,stoptheengine, disconnect thesparkplugwireandgroundagainst theengine. Thoroughly inspect themachine forany damage. Repairthedamage beforestartingand operating.
PAGE 5
SECTION2: ASSEMBLING YOURTILLER NOTE: This operator's guide covers three different model tillers. Models 340 thru 345 have forward tine AttachingHandleAssembly Remove the hex bolt and cupped washer from the top right side of the frame halves. Hold the cable guide bracket on the left side of the frame as it will fall when the bolt is removed. See Figure 2. drive only. Model 390 has both forward and reverse tine drive. Follow only the instructions which pertain to your model tiller.
PAGE 6
Loosen the hex nut on the threaded rod near the Handle Brace Welded Bracket Fuel Shut-Off Valve end of the cable, and move it up the rod as far as it will go. Unthread the rod from the rest of the cable. Hook the "Z" end of the rod into the bracket underneath the handle assembly from the right hand side. See Figure 4. Thread the rod back into the cable until the cable is Crank straight. Do not tighten it enough to put any tension on the spring. Thread the hex nut down against the end of cable.
PAGE 7
FinalClutchAdjustment To check the clutch cable adjustment, proceed as follows. Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Engage and release the tine engagement handle, then the reverse tine engagement lever (model 390 only). If an excessive noise is heard when releasing either the tine drive clutch handle or lever, the cable may be too loose.
PAGE 8
Depth Stake TinesAnd EndCaps The tilling tines and end caps (are used to cultivate, furrow, and preapre yoru garden for seeding. The end caps (Model 390 only) are used to avoid tilled soil from overflowing onto unwanted areas. The depth stake controls the tilling depth. Refer to OPERATING YOUR TILLER in Section 4.
PAGE 9
Stand at side of tiller. Grasp the starter handle and pull out slowly, until it pulls slightly harder. Let rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid full arm stroke. Do not allow handle to snap back. Allow it to rewind slowly while keeping a firm hold on the starter handle. RemovingEndCaps(Model 390only) The end cap, which are used to avoid tilled soil from overflowing onto unwanted areas, are removable from the outer axle.
PAGE 10
Handle Pressure Transport Position Further control of tilling depth and travel speed can be obtained by variation of pressure on the handles. A downward pressure on the handles will reduce the working depth and increase the forward speed. An upward pressure on the handles will increase the working depth and reduce the forward speed. The type of soil and working conditions will determine the actual setting of the depth stake and the handle pressure required.
PAGE 11
passesacrossitswidth.Theadditionofdecayed organicmatterwiltsubstantially increasethefertilityof yourgarden.Forproperdecayingaction,fertilizer shouldbeappliedandworkedinwiththemulch materials. Breaking upleavesandstrawandmixingit withseveralinchesofsoilcausesthesoiltohold moisture longerandallowsproperaerationoftheplant rootsystem.Thisalsoretardsthegrowthofweeds. 20 O _r ,.
PAGE 12
conditions. Poorengineperformance andflooding usuallyindicates thattheaircleanershouldbe serviced. Toservicetheaircleaner,refertothe separateenginemanualpackedwithyourunit. IMPORTANT: Neverrunyourenginewithoutaircleaner completely assembled. Thesparkplugshouldbecleanedandthegapreset every25hoursofengineoperation. Sparkplug replacement isrecommended atthestartofeachtiller season;checkenginemanualforcorrectplugtypeand gapspecification. Cleantheengineregularly withaclothorbrush.
PAGE 13
assembled with the wide side of the belt away from the transmission and engine pulleys. Reverse Idler ey Off-Season Storage If the tiller will not be used for a period longer than 30 days, the following steps should be taken to prepare the tiller for storage. Transmission Pulley Clean the exterior of engine and the entire tiller thoroughly. Lubricate the tiller as described in the lubrication instructions. We do not recommend the use of pressure washers to clean your unit.
PAGE 14
SECTION7: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Engine fails to start Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Tines do not engage Cause(s) Throttle control lever not in correct starting position (if so equipped). Blocked fuel line. Dirty aircleaner. Choke not in ON position. Spark plug wire disconnected. Faulty spark plug. Engine flooded. Unit running on CHOKE. Spark plug wire loose. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. Vent in gas cap plugged. Water or dirt in fuel system.
PAGE 15
Notes 15
PAGE 16
Model340 Thru345 3 I % / / 7 / .8 - / / 10 / Standard BrJggs & Stratton Tecumseh Eng 4 4\ 46 17 44 _21 / 18 / l / / 3\ 32.
PAGE 17
Model340 Thru345 Ref. No. Part No. Part Description Ref. No. 26, 27, 711-1036 736-0119 Part No. Part Description 1, 712-0442 2, 736-3020 Acorn Lock Nut 1/4-29 Flat Washer .271" ],D. x ,630" O,D, 3, 731-1599 Handle Cover 28, 710-3008 Spec, Hex Nut L-Wash, 5/16" I.D, Hex Bolt 5/16-18 Gr. 5 4, 712-0287 Hex Nut 1/4-20 Gr.
PAGE 18
Model340 Thru345 41 13 28. 12 29 \ \ 31 / 15 27 \ \ 26 18
PAGE 19
Model340 Thru345 Ref. No. Part No. Ref. No. Part Description Part No. Part Description 22, 746-0918 Forward Clutch Cable 23, 24, 786-0653 Tine Shield Bracket 710-0599 Hex L-Stop nut 1/4-28 Fiat Wash. ,266" I,D, x .625" O,D, Hex Washer Screw 1/4-20 x .5" 736-0171 L-Wash, 7/16" I,D, 711-0920 Belt Cover Bolt 25, 26, 712-6246 Hex Nut 7/16-20 Thd, Hex Washer Screw 3/8-16 x 1.25" Hex Hd. Scr. 3/8-16 x 1.25" Lg, Fl-ldler 2.
PAGE 20
Model390 10 / Standard Briggs & Stratton Tecumseh Eng 15 18 49 / / 22 / 1 / 25 .40 43 _3933 / 44 / / .
PAGE 21
Model390 RER NO. PART NO. RER NO. DESCRIPTION PART NO. 1, 712-0442 Acorn Lock Nut 1/4-20 29, 710-0189 2, 736-3020 Flat Washer ,271" I,D, x .630" O,D, 30, 736-0242 DESCRIPTION Hex Bolt 5/16-18 x 3" Lg, Wash, Bell, ,340" I,D, x ,872" O.D, 3, 720-0270A 711-1036 731-1600 Reverse Handle Grip Handle Cover w/o throttle 31, 4, 32, 736-0119 Spec. Hex Nut L-Wash, 5/16" I.D. 5, 710-0779A Truss Mach. Scr, #10 x 1/2" Lg, 33, 710-3008 Hex Bolt 5/16-18 Gr.
PAGE 22
Model390 26 t / 24 / I ! / 24/ / 23 48 13 30 34 / 3_. 36 50 / / 4l \ / / 11 46 1 s / / ! 2 18f 22
PAGE 23
Model390 REF. NO. PART NO. REF. NO.
PAGE 24
MANUFACTURER'S LIMITED WARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the d. United States, its possessions and territories. MTD LLC warrants this product against defects for a period of FOR: MTD LLC does net extend any warranty for products sold or exported outside of the United States, its possessions and territories, except those sold through MTD LLC's authorized channels of export distribution. e.