MTD 450 - Manual (Page 12)

1
Cleaning Tine Area
Clean the underside of the tine shield after each use.
The dirt washes off the tines easier if rinsed off im-
mediately instead of after it dries. Always towel dry the
tiller afterwards and apply a light coat of oil or silicone to
prevent rusting or water damage.
IMPORTANT: Never use a “pressure washer” to clean
your tiller. Water can penetrate tight areas of the tiller and
its chain case and cause serious damage to the unit.
Belt Replacement
Your tiller has been engineered with a belt made of special
material (Kevlar Tensile) for longer life and better perfor-
mance. It should not be replaced with an off-the-shelf belt.
Order all belts through you authorized service dealer.
• Disconnect and ground the spark plug wire against the
engine.
• Remove the belt cover from the left side of the tiller by
remove two torx screws from the top of belt cover. See
Figure 7-1.
• Remove the hex cap nut and flat washer from the side
of the belt cover and remove the self tap screw at the
bottom of the front of the cover.
WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug
wire and ground it against the engine
before performing any repairs.
Engine
Refer to the separate engine manual for 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 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.
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 every 25 hours of engine operation. Spark plug
replacement is recommended at the start of each tiller
season; check engine manual for correct plug type and
gap specification.
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.
Lubrication
Transmission
The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the
factory. It requires no checking unless the transmission
is disassembled. To fill with grease, lay the right half of
the transmission on its side, add 22 ounces of Benalene
920 grease, and assemble the left half to it. This grease
can be obtained at your nearest authorized dealer by
ordering part number 737-0300.
Clutch Handle
Lubricate the pivot point on the clutch handle and the
cable at least once a season with light oil. The control
must operate freely in both directions.
Pivot Points
Lubricate all pivot points and linkages at least once a
season with light oil.
Tine Shafts
Remove tine assemblies and lubricate the tine shafts at
least once a season.
Wheel Shafts
Remove wheel assemblies and lubricate the axle shafts
at least once a season.
Maintaining
Your Tiller
WARNING
Disconnect the spark
plug wire and ground
it against the engine
before performing
any repairs or
maintenance.
Torx Screws Belt Cover
Hex Cap Nut &
Flat Washer
Self Tap Screw
Figure 7-1
NOTE: Specifications are
subject to change without
notification or obligation.
Images my not reflect your
exact model and are for
reference purposes only.