MTD 390 Shown - Manual (Page 13)

13
SECTION 6: MAINTAINING YOUR TILLER
Lubrication
WARNING: Always stop engine and
disconnect spark plug wire before
cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of
work on tiller.
Pivot Points-Remove the belt cover and lubricate all
moving parts and pivot points at least once a season
using SAE 30 engine oil.
Chain Drive-The chain case is pre-lubricated and
sealed at the factory.
WARNING: Disconnect spark plug wire
and ground it against the engine before
performing any repairs or maintenance.
Trouble Shooting
Refer to the trouble shooting chart for more information.
Engine
Refer to the separate engine manual for all engine
maintenance instructions.
Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate
engine manual packed with your unit. Read and follow
instructions carefully.
Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal
conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely
dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and
flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be
serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the
separate engine manual packed with your unit.
IMPORTANT: Never run your engine without air cleaner
completely assembled.
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset
once a season. Spark plug replacement is
recommended at the start of each tilling season; check
engine manual for correct plug type and gap
specifications.
Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
Keep the cooling system (blower housing area) clean to
permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine
performance and life. Be certain to remove all dirt and
combustible debris from muffler area.
Cleaning The Tine Area
Clean the underside of the tine shield after each use.
The dirt washes off the tines easier if washed off
immediately instead of after it dries.
We do not recommend the use of pressure washers to
clean your unit. It may cause damage to electric
components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine.
The use of pressure washers will result in shortened life
and reduce serviceability.
Belt Removal And Replacement
Your tiller has been engineered with belts made of
special material (Kevlar Tensile). They should not be
replaced with an off-the-shelf belt. If belt replacement is
required, order belt or belts by part number from your
nearest authorized service dealer.
Forward Drive Belt - Part No. 754-0428
Reverse Drive Belt (390 Only) - Part No. 754-0429
Reverse Drive Belt (Model 390 Only)
• Disconnect and ground the spark plug wire against
the engine. Remove the belt cover from the left side
of the tiller as follows.
• Remove two self-tapping screws and flat washers
from the front of belt cover. See Figure 16.
• Remove the hex stop nut and flat washer from the
side of the belt cover. Remove belt cover.
Figure 16
• Lift the belt off the transmission pulley.
• Remove the hex nut which secures the reverse
idler pulley to the idler bracket. Slide idler pulley out
and remove the belt. See Figure 17.
Figure 17
Hex Nut and Washer Self-Tapping
Screws
Belt
Cover
Engine
Pulley
Transmission
Pulley
Reverse Belt
Hex Nut
Forward
Belt
Reverse Idler Pulley
Model 390 Shown