MTD 215-370 A - Manual (Page 6)

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
For your own convenience and safety, observe all safe­
ty suggestions shown on page 2. Your tiller
is not a toy, it is a precision piece of power equipment.
Treat it as such.
It is important to recognize the fact that the forward
and penetrating action of the rotary tiller is obtained
from the rotating action of the tines in the soil. The
depth bar acts as a brake for the tiller and controls the
depth and speed at which the machine will operate. By
lowering the setting of the depth bar, the forward
speed of the machine is reduced and the working
depth of the tines is increased. Raising the setting of
the depth bar increases the forward speed and reduces
the working depth. When soil conditions are severe
and several passes must be made over a certain area,
the depth bar si.tting should be lowered each time a
pass is made. Further control of tilling depth and travel
speed can be obtained by variation of pressure on the
handle or the throttle setting. A downward pressure
on the handles will increase the working depth and
reduce the forward speed. An upward pressure on
the handles will reduce the working depth and in­
crease the forward speed. The type of soil and working
conditions will determine the actual setting of the
depth bar and the handle pressure required.
NOTE
If the tines tend to bounce instead of
cutting into the soil, one or more sets
of tines may be on backwards. The
cutting edge of the tines should enter
the soil first.
1. Tine engagement and forward travel is achieved by
moving the clutch control lever to FORWARD po­
sition. Tine rotation and forward motion are stopped
by moving the clutch control handle to NEUTRAL
position. Reverse tine action and reverse travel mo­
tion can be maintained by HOLDING the clutch con­
trol handle in REVERSE position. Releasing the han­
dle stops reverse operation automatically.
2; The throttle control lever adjusts the engine speed.
It also gives finger tip control of the carburetor and
magneto stop switch. With the throttle control knob
pushed
completely forward, the carburetor is in
START position. Pulling the knob back slightly ad­
justs the engine speed to FAST. Pulling- the knob
back further reduces the engine speed to SLOW.
When the knob is pulled completely back, the mag­
neto stop switch grounds out the spark and stops
the engine.
3. With the depth bar positioned out of ground
engagement position, self propelled transporting
of the tiller is easily achieved. With no pressure
on the handles and the throttle control set for SLOW
engine speed, move the clutch control handle to
the FORWARD position and let the tiller gently pro­
pel itself.
ADJUSTMENTS
Belts. Belt slack is taken up by a spring loaded idler
pulley. Because of this, belt aojustment is not required.
Clutch. No adjustment of the lower clutch rod is re­
quired. This is done automatically by the spring loaded
idler.
NOTE
Belt and clutch adjustments can be
made with the adjustable control rod.
Throttle. If adjustment becomes necessary, the throttle
control wire assembly can be reset as follows:
1. Loosen, but do not remove, screw securing throttle
control wire assembly at engine.
2. Move throttle control knob to STOP position.
3. Move lever, to which control wire is fastened at en­
gine, to STOP position and retighten screw to se­
cure throttle control wire assembly.
Tines. The standard width of cut is 26". Because of
the various types of work the tiller may be put to,
variation in the tilling widths may be necessary. This
can be accomplished in a number of ways.
1. Standard tine arrangement________________________________26"
2. Remove both outer tine assemblies--------------------- 12"
3. Remove tines that point outward from outer
tine assemblies. Tines may be interchanged
with opposite sides _____________________________________ 20"
4. Add tine extensions to standard arrangement __ 40"
NOTE
When adjusting tines, be sore the cut­
ting edges enter the soil first.
A6AINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
Engine. Service engine in accordance with the engine
manufacturer's owner's guide.
NOTE
To drain oil remove oil filler plug and
tip tiller on its side. Drain oil while the
engine is warm. See engine manual for
filling instructions.
Throttle. Periodically lubricate throttle control lever
and throttle control wire assembly with a few drops
of light oil (SAE 10 or 20) for ease of operation.