MTD 217-200 - Manual (Page 5)

O P E R A T I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
For your own convenience and safety, observe ail safety
suggestions shown on the front cover. Your tiller is not
0 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 re­
duced and the working depth of the tines is increased.
Raising the setting of the depth bar increases the for­
ward speed and reduces the working depth. When soil
conditions are severe and several oasses must be made
over a certain area, the depth bar setting should be low­
ered each time a pass is made. Further control of tilling
depth and trovel speed can be obtained by voriation of
pressure on the handles. A downward pressure on the
handles will increase the working depth and reduce the
forward speed. An upward pressure on the handles will re­
duce the working depth and increose the forward speed.
The type of soil and working conditions will determine the
actual setting of the depth bar and the handle pressure
required.
1. Tine engagement and forward travel is achieved by
moving the clutch control handle to “Forward" posi­
tion. Tine rotation and forward motion are stopped by
moving the clutch control handle to “Neutral" posi­
tion. Reverse tine action and reverse travel motion can
be maintained by HOLDING the clutch control handle
in “Reverse” position. Releasing the handle stops
reverse operation automatically.
2. The throttle control lever adjusts the engine speed. It
also gives finger tip control of the carburetor choke
arid magneto stop switch. With the throttle control
knob pushed completely forward, the carburetor is in
“Choke" position. Pulling the knob out slightly re­
leases the carburetor from “Choke” and adjusts the
engine speed to “Fast". Pulling the knob further out
reduces the engine speed to “Slow”.
When the knob is pulled completely out, the magneto
stop switch grounds out the spark and stops the engine.
3. With the depth bar raised out of operation, seif pro­
pelled transporting of the tiller is eosily achieved.
With no pressure on the handles and the throttle con­
trol set for “Slow” engine speed, move the clutch
control hondle to the forward position and let the
tiller gently propel itself.
A D J U S T M E N T S
BELTS - Belt slack is taken up by o spring loaded idler
pulley. Because of this, belt adjustment is not required.
CLUTCH - No adjustment in clutch linkage is required.
This is dome automatically by the spring loaded idler.
NOTE: Belt and clutch adjustments can be made
with the adjustable control rod.
“0” RING It oil leakage at the bearing cap
should occur, take up on the "o” ring of the gear
case
may be needed. This is accomplished by
removing the locking clamp and turning the bearing
adjustment
cap clockwise enough to correct. Move
adjustment cap back one notch and replace locking
clamp.
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. Mo ve throttle control knob to “Choke” position.
3. Move lever, to which control wire is fastened at en­
gine, to full choke position and retighten screw to se­
cure throttle control wire assembly.
HANDLES - The position of the handles may be adjusted
by removing and moving carriage bolts in the lower
mounting holes. Adjustment should be made for the most
convenient operating height.
WHEELS - Wheel positions may be varied to give further
adjustment of handle height. Various wheel positions
also give variations of the leverage and weight distri­
bution over the tines. Wheels should be set to suit the
local soil conditions and the operator’s convenience.
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 outer tine assemblies (complete). 12”
3. Remove outer tines from outer tine 20”
assemblies. Tines may be interchanged
with opposite sides.
4. Add tineextensions to standardarrangement. 40”
NOTE: When adjusting tines, be sure the cutting
edges enter the soil first.
M A I N T E N A N C E A N D
L U B R I C A T I O N
ENGINE - Se rvice engine in accordance with the engine
manufacturer’s ewner’s guide. NOTE: Ta drain oil, re­
move oil filler plug and tip tiller on its side. Drain oil
while the engine is warm. See engine manual for filling
instructions.
GEAR CASE - Proper lubricant level should be up to the
rear pipe plug. Check with tiller on a level surface. Add
lubricant through the vented pipe plug hole. Add enough
to bring level up to rear pipe plug hole. Use Molilube
SAE 140 Geor Oil or equivalent. Gear case should be
maintained with five (5) ounces of lubricant.
Lubricate the upper bushing in the gear case with o
small amount of grease. Do not over lubricate as any ex­
cess will enter the gear case proper. Use o high pres­
sure gun grease.
THROTTLE - Periodically lubricate throttle control
lever and throttle control wire assembly with a few
drop of light oil (SAE 10 or 20) for ease of operotion.
BELTS - Access to "V” belt and pulley assemblies is
accomplished by removing the engine and engine bed as
described below.
1. Place clutch control handle into “Neutral”
position.
2. Remove four cap screws which secure engine
bed to mounting plate assembly. Remove engine
and engine bed. Do not kink control wire.
3. Remove front belt guard.
4. Remove upper belt from pulley assembly.
5.
Place clutch control handle into “Forward”
position.
FORM NO. 770-91 1E