Operator’s Manual Front Tine Tillers Model Series 340 Thru 390 Model Series 390 Shown 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).
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Important Safe Operation Practices Assembling Your Tiller Know Your Tiller Operating Your Tiller Making Adjustments Page 3 5 7 8 11 Content Maintaining Your Tiller Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts List Warranty Page 11 14 16 24 FINDING MODEL NUMBER 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.
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.
9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Look down and behind and use care when in reverse or pulling machine towards you. Start the engine according to the instructions found in this manual and keep feet well away from the tines at all times. 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.
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR TILLER NOTE: This operator’s guide covers three different model tillers. Model series 340 thru 345 have forward tine drive only. Model series 390 has both forward and reverse tine drive. Follow only the instructions which pertain to your model tiller. See the model plate on your tiller for the correct model number. Tailpiece Depth Stake NOTE: References to right or left side of the tiller are determined from behind the unit in the operating position.
• Handle • Bell Washer Carriage Bolt Hand Knob Welded Bracket • • Handle Brace Honda and Briggs & Stratton Intek Engines Loosen the hex nut on the threaded rod near the 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 straight.
• • • assembly). Unthread the rod from the cable 2 or 3 turns. Retighten the hex nut, and check again for correct adjustment. See Figure 6. 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 series 390 only). If an excessive noise is heard when releasing either the tine drive clutch handle or lever, the cable may be too loose.
Depth Stake Tines And End Caps The depth stake controls the tilling depth. Refer to OPERATING YOUR TILLER in Section 4. The tilling tines and end caps (are used to cultivate, furrow, and prepare your garden for seeding. The end caps (Model Series 390 only) are used to avoid tilled soil from overflowing onto unwanted areas.
• • Removing End Caps (Model Series 390 only) 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. The end cap, which are used to avoid tilled soil from overflowing onto unwanted areas, are removable from the outer axle.
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.
organic matter will substantially increase the fertility of your garden. For proper decaying action, fertilizer should be applied and worked in with the mulch materials. Breaking up leaves and straw and mixing it with several inches of soil causes the soil to hold moisture longer and allows proper aeration of the plant root system. This also retards the growth of weeds.
• Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit. Read and follow instructions carefully. Remove the hex stop nut and flat washer from the side of the belt cover. Remove belt cover. Lock Nut & Flat Washer Hex Washer Screw Service air cleaner every ten hours under normal conditions. Clean every hour under extremely dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced.
• Off-Season Storage Reassemble the new belt, following instructions in reverse order. Make certain the forward drive belt is assembled with the wide side of the belt away from the transmission and engine pulleys. 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.
SECTION 7: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Fuel will not last over thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is used. Move throttle lever to start position. Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Tines do not engage Throttle control lever not in correct starting position (if equipped). Blocked fuel line. Dirty aircleaner. Choke not in ON position (if equipped).
NOTES 15
SECTION 8: ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST Model Series 340 Thru 345 5 3 1 7 6 2 8 2 9 10 Standard Briggs & Stratton 48 Tecumseh Engines 4 47 11 12 45 13 50 14 16 24 15 17 44 22 25 26 30 21 23 18 27 31 32 37 33 32 20 29 25 35 19 28 34 36 40 25 38 39 41 42 43 16 49 46
Model Series 340 Thru 345 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Part No. 712-0442 736-3020 731-1599 712-0287 720-0274 686-0083 720-0269 710-0641 731-1645A 736-0140 649-0039 649-0022B 647-0042 726-0211 749-1101 736-0921 710-3194 786-0005 714-0149B 712-04063 786-0003 786-0004 711-0415 710-0805 710-0189 736-0242 Ref. No. Part Description 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44.
Model Series 340 Thru 345 41 13 42 39 28 12 29 38 40 37 30 32 36 34 31 22 33 35 23 14 15 9 10 8 27 6 26 11 7 4 25 24 5 1 19 16 2 19 3 20 21 18 18
Model Series 340 Thru 345 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 18. 19. 20. 21. Part No. 712-0392 736-3020 710-0599 711-0920 712-04063 710-0723 756-0313 786-0149 786-0144 712-0266 786-0056 710-0599 786-0035A 710-3008 712-04063 686-0091 714-0149B 711-0415 642-0005 642-0004 642-0003 642-0002 Ref. No. Part Description 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. Hex L-Stop nut 1/4-28 Flat Wash.266” I.D. X.625” O.D. Hex Washer Screw 1/4-20 x.
Model Series 390 10 6 9 4 1 11 2 12 13 5 3 7 ††Standard Briggs & Stratton Tecumseh Engines 50 2 8 14 51†† 52†† 50 16 15 54 53†† 55 19 22 49 21 29 30 20 28 27 26 31 32 35 23 36 37 38 42 56 37 34 25 33 30 40 24 39 41 56 30 23 43 46 27 47 48 20 54 55
Model Series 390 REF. NO. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. PART NO. 712-0442 736-3020 720-0270A 731-1600 710-0779A 720-0274 712-3006 726-0135 686-0083 720-0269 710-0641 731-1645A 736-0140 686-0014A 736-0264 649-04040 749-1401 736-0921 710-3194 786-0005 714-0149B 712-04063 786-0003 786-0004 711-0415 710-0805 710-0189 REF. NO. DESCRIPTION 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 46. 47. Acorn Lock Nut 1/4-20 Flat Washer.
Model Series 390 26 25 24 24 23 48 13 30 29 31 49 3 27 32 28 34 35 36 10 42 33 6 10 †††Honda Engine 45 38 14 50 5 53 22 7 9 51 52 10 54 8 44 6 43 7 11 4 47 5 46 1 19 16 2 20 3 21 17 18 22
Model Series 390 REF. NO. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. PART NO. 712-0392 736-3020 710-0599 711-0920 712-04063 710-0723 756-0313 786-0149 786-0144 712-0266 786-0057 786-0043A 710-3008 686-0091 686-0106 714-0149B 711-0415 642-0023 642-0024 642-0003 642-0002 746-0918 746-0953 756-0585 750-0892 REF. NO. DESCRIPTION Hex L-Stop nut 1/4-28 Flat Wash.266” I.D. x.625” O.D. Hex Washer TT-Tap Scr. 1/4-20 x.5” Belt Cover Bolt Hex Flange Top L-Nut 5/16-18 (Gr.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. “MTD”warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in materials or workmanship.
