MTD 217-100A - Manual (Page 4)

B. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and
ground. Check tiller tines for proper installa­
tion. With throttle control lever set on STOP
position and the clutch control handle set in
FORWARD position, slowly crank engine to
determine direction of tine rotation. Be sure all
tines are mounted so the sharpened edges
enter the soil first.
C. Now place the clutch control handle in
NEUTRAL position. Slowly crank engine. The
tines should not rotate.
D. Check all nuts and bolts for proper tightness.
This is especially important during the initial
operation period. Make this same check
periodically thereafter.
E. Fill fuel tank with clean, fresh, regular grade
gasoline. This should be used at all times.
F. 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 is FULL.
See engine manual for correct type and
amount.
Hi^ NOTE
The engine is warranted separately
by the engine manufacturer. For
warranty service contact the engine
manufacturer or their local author­
ized 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 lever to START position on
engine.
3. After cranking the engine several times or as
the engine fires, move the throttle lever to
RUN position.
4. Adjust throttle lever for desired operating
speed.
5. To stop engine, move throttle lever to STOP
position. Keep throttle lever in STOP position
at all times when tiller is not in use.
NOTE
A brief break-in period is essential
to insure maximum engine life. This
consists of running the engine at
half speed for a period of time re­
quired to use one tank of gasoline.
This is necessary on the initial run
only. It is also recommended that
the oil be changed after five (5) hours
of operation. This allows for the re­
moval of impurities which may have
accumulated during the break-in
period. Subsequent oil changes
should be made as stated in the en­
gine manual. Always check oil be­
fore using your tiller. Be sure oil lev­
el is adequate.
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
For your own convenience and safety, observe all
safety suggestions shown in this manual. 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 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
handles will reduce the working depth and
increase 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 lever to
FORWARD position. Tine rotation and
forward motion are stopped by moving the
clutch lever to NEUTRAL position.