MTD 215-355AB2 - Manual (Page 5)

NOTE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
A brief break-in period is essential to
insure maximum engine life. This con­
sists of running the engine at half speed
for a period of time required to use one
tank of gasoline. This is necessary on
the initial run only. It is also recom­
mended 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 especially during the break-in
period. Be sure oil level is adequate.
HANDLE ADJUSTMENT
The handle may be adjusted to five different heights
by loosening the adjusting screw on each side of the
handel and pivoting the handle up or down. See figure
8 .
For your own convenience and safety, observe all safe­
ty suggestions shown on page 2. 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 reduce^
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
handle or the throttle setting. A downward pressure
on the handles will increase the working depth and
reduce the forward speed. An upward pressure on
the handies will reduce the working depth and in­
crease the forward speed. The type of soil and working
conditions will determine the actual setting of the
depth bar and the handle pressure required.
NOTE
FIGURE 8. HANDLE ADJUSTMENT
TAILPIECE ADJUSTMENT
The tailpiece can be made stationary or free floating.
To be free floating simply lift the "U" clevis and rotate
"U" clevis to engage forward hole and push down.
See figure 8. See figure 2 for stationary position.
If the tines tend to bounce instead of
cutting into the soil, one or more sets
of tines may be on backwards. The cut­
ting edge of the tines should enter the
soil first.
1. Tine engagement and forward travel is achieved by
moving the clutch control lever to FORWARD po­
sition. Tine rotation and forward motion are stooped
by moving the clutch control handle to NEUTRAL
position. Reverse tine action and reverse travel mo­
tion can be maintained by HOLDING the clutch con­
trol lever in REVERSE position. Releasing the lev­
er stops reverse operation 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 back slightly ad­
justs the engine speed to FAST. Pulling, the knob
back further reduces the engine speed to SLOW.
When the knob is pulled completely back, the mag­
neto stop switch grounds out the spark and stops
the engine.
3. With the depth bar positioned out of ground
engagement position, self propelled 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 pro­
pel itself.