Mantis CULTIVATOR 401764 XP - Manual (Page 16)

What to do Just in Case…
At some point, you may find that
the tines won’t turn when you
squeeze the throttle. This may mean
the engine isn’t sitting all the way
down on the worm gear housing.
Perhaps you’ve been using your
Tiller for several years. The flange
bolt (Key #12, Page 18) may have
come loose and lifted the engine up.
If this happened you’ll notice a
gap between the bottom of the
engine flange (Key #43, Page 18)
and the top of the worm gear
housing. (Picture 3)
To fix this, loosen the flange
bolt. Take the engine off the worm
gear housing. Notice the hex head
on top of the drive shaft (Key #22,
Page 18). Inside the flange housing,
you’ll find the clutch drum (Key
#57, Page 18). Make sure the hex
head lines up with the clutch drum
inside the flange housing.
Then put the engine back on the
worm gear housing. Make sure the
plastic carrying handle is not under
the engine.
If you’ve followed these steps
properly, there will be no gap between
the engine flange and the worm gear
housing. (Picture 4) Make sure you
tighten the flange bolt!
16
Check the Air Filter Often
A wet or dirty air filter can
affect the way your engine starts,
performs, and wears. So, it’s a
good idea to check your air filter
once a month.
If you work in dusty soil, or if
you want to be on the safe side —
then check your filter more often
(for instance, before each use).
But be sure to replace it at least
once a year, in the spring or fall.
How to Check, Clean and
Change the Air Filter
1. The air filter is held in the
air cleaner in a black housing on
the side of the tiller, behind the
gas tank cap.
2. Squeeze the two locking tabs
at the rear of the air cleaner cover
(Picture 1) and swing the cover
towards the front of the engine to
open it
3. The air filter is the dark
sponge like material on the inside
ofthe air cleaner. Check whether it
is soiled or moist.
4. If the air filter needs to be
cleaned or no longer fits properly,
simply remove it by carefully
peeling it out of the air cleaner
(Picture 2)
5. To clean the air filter
a. Clean the filter element in
warm soapy water, rinse and
allow to dry thoroughly. Or,
clean in a non-flammable
solvent and allow to dry.
b. Dip the filter element in clean
engine oil, then squeeze out all
excess oil. The engine will
smoke when started if too much
oil is left in the element
c. Wipe dirt from the air cleaner
body and cover, using a moist
rag. Be careful to prevent dirt
from entering the carburetor.
6. Insert your clean filter inside
the air cleaner.
IMPORTANT! Make sure the
filter is "seated" properly in the
cover. The filter must fit snugly
inside the opening that holds the
filter in place. Installing the
filter incorrectly will cause
engine damage and void the
warranty. Fit the cover back
over the air cleaner and snap
the two locking tabs.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
A dirty air cleaner will restrict
air flow to the carburetor,
reducing engine performance.
If you operate the engine in very
dusty areas, clean the air filter
element more often then
specified in the Maintenance
section.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Operating the engine without an
air filter element, or with a
damaged air filter element, will
allow dirt to enter the engine,
causing rapid engine wear. This
type of damage is not covered
by the Limited Warranty.
Note:
Please check the lip on the Air
Cleaner Cover. If the lip is chipped
or cracked, it should be replaced.
This will prevent dirt from being
ingested through the carburetor
into the inside of the engine.
Picture 1 Picture 2
Maintenance
Picture 3. Note how the engine doesn’t sit all
the way down on the transmission. Picture 4. Note how the engine sits all the way
down on the transmission.
401764 XP Tiller-Cultivator_manual 5/18/10 10:51 AM Page 16