MTD 219-100 - Manual (Page 5)

2. Check all nuts and bolts for proper tightness. This is
especially important during the initial operation period.
Make this same check periodically thereafter.
3. Check gear case for proper lubricant level. With tiller
on a level surface, lubricant level should be up to the
rear pipe plug opening. This can be checked by removing
rear pipe plug. Maintain correct lubricant level with
MobUube SAE 140 Gear Oil or equivalent. The gear case
holds five (5) ounces of lubricant.
4. Check fuel tank. Clean, fresh, regular gasoline should
be used at all times.
5. Check engine crankcase for proper oil level. The engine
is shipped without oil in the crankcase. Be sure to fill
crankcase before starting engine. Be sure crankcase
if FULL.
NOTE: The engine is warranted separately by the en^e
manufacturer. For warranty service contact the engine
manufacturer or their local authorized service station. All
important information pertaining to care and operation is
included in the engine manual.
STARTING YOUR TILLER
1. Be sure clutch control handle is in “Neutral” position.
2. Move throttle control lever to “Start” position.
3. After cranking the engine several times, or as the en­
gine fires, move the throttle control lever to run posi­
tion.
4. Adjust throttle control lever for desire operating
speed.
5. To stop engine, move throttle control lever to “Stop”
position. Keep throttle control lever in “Stop” position
at all times when tiller is not in use.
NOTE: A brief break in period is essential to insure maxi­
mum engine life. This consists of running the engine at
half speed for a period of time required to use one tank of
gasoline. This is necessary on the initeal run only. It is also
recommended that the oil be changed after five (5) hours
of operation. This allows for the removal of impurities
which may have accumulated during the break in period.
Subsequent oil changes should be made as stated in the
engine manual. Always check oil before using your tiller.
Be sure crankcase is FULL’.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
For your own convenience and safety, observe all safety
suggestions shown on the front cover. 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 setting 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 handles. A
downward pressure on the handles will increase the work­
ing depth and reduce the forward speed. An upward pres­
sure on the handles will reduce the working depth and in­
crease the forward speed. The type of soil and working con­
ditions will determine the actual setting of the depth bar
and the handle pressure required.
1. Tine engagement and forward travel is achieved by mov­
ing the clutch control handle to “Forward” position.
Tine rotation and forward motion are stopped by mov­
ing the clutch control handle to “Neutral” position. Re­
verse tine action and reverse travel motion can be main­
tained by HOLDING the clutch control handle in “Re­
verse” position. Releasing the handle stops reverse op­
eration 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 further out reduces the engine
speed to “Slow.”
When the knob is pulled completely out, the nagneto
stop switch grounds out the spark and stops the engine.
3. With the depth bar raised out of operation, self pro­
pelled 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
propel itself.
ADJUSTMENTS
BELTS - Belt slack is taken up by a spring loaded idler pul­
ley. Because of this, belt adjustment is not required.
CLUTCH - No adjustment in clutch linkage is required.
This is done automatically by the spring loaded idler.
NOTE: Belt and clutch adjustments can be made by mov­
ing the engine bed. Loosen the four bolts which secure it
and move the engine bed forward or backward as required.
Adjusting the control rod will also effect belt and clutch
adjustment. These adjustments may be necessary if handle
position is changed.
"O" - If oil leakage at the bearing cap should occur, take
up on the “0” 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 asseihbly can be reset as follows:
1. Loosen, but do not reihove, screw securing throttle con­
trol wire assembly at engine.
2. Move throttle control knob to “START” position.
3. Move lever, to which control wire is fastened at engine,
to full “OPEN” position and retighten screw to secure
throttle control wire assembly.
HANDLES - The position of the handles may be adjusted
by removing and moving carriage bolts in the lower mount­
ing holes. Adjustment should be made for the most con­
venient 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 distribution over
the tines. Wheels should be set to suit the local soil condi­
tions and the operator’s convenience.
FORM NO. 770-1881E