MTD 218-402-000 - Manual (Page 11)

Wheels— Lubricate the wheel bearings with a light oil
after each fifteen hours of operation.
Wheel Drive— The wheels are driven by pawl and
ratchet drive. Lubricate the pawl and ratchet at least
twice a season with a silicone type lubricant.
Figure 20 shows the left hub cap. To take off the hub
caps, remove the two hex nuts and lock washers on
the inside of the wheel. Remove the hub cap. A cotter
pin holds the ratchet in place. The pawls must pivot
freely. Clean with a solvent, replace any broken or worn
parts, and lubricate.
The pawls and ratchet on the hub cap are assembled
facing the opposite way.
After reassembling, test the operation of the drive
without the engine running. Engage the drive clutch (on
the right handle) and pull the tiller backwards. Both
wheels should lock. Push the tiller forward and both
wheels should rotate.
NOTE
The wheels will “click” when the
tiller is pushed forward.
Lock
Washers
Ratchet
Pawls
Hex Nuts
FIGURE 20.
Tine and Wheel Drive Controls— Lubricate the pivot
points on the clutch levers and the cables at least once
a season with light oil. The controls must operate free­
ly in both directions.
Pivot Points— Lubricate all pivot points and linkages
at least once a season with light oil.
MAINTENANCE
At
WARNING i
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Disconnect the spark plug wire and
ground it against the engine before
performing any repairs or main­
tenance.
IMPORTANT
If for any reason the tines are re­
moved from the tiller, be certain the
tines are reassembled so that the
sharp edge of the tines enter the
soil
first. Refer to item number
one under “Operation.”
ENGINE
Refer to the separate engine manual for engine
maintenance instructions.
Maintain engine oii as instruted in the separate engine
manual packed with your unit. Read and follow instruc­
tions carefully.
Service air cieaner every ten hours under normal con­
ditions. Clean every hour under extremely dusty con­
ditions. Poor engine performance and flooding usually
indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced. To
service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine
manual packed with your unit.
iMPORTANT: Never run your engine without air
cleaner completely assembled.
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset
every 25 hours of engine operation. Spark plug replace­
ment is recommended at the start of each tilling season;
check engine manual for correct plug type and gap
specification.
Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep
the cooling system (blower housing area) clean to per­
mit proper air circulation which is essential to engine
performance and-life. Be certain to remove all dirt and
combustible debris from muffler area.
CLEANING THE TINE AREA
Clean the underside of the tine shield after each use.
The dirt washes off the tines easier if washed off im­
mediately instead of after it dries.
BELT REPLACEMENT
A
CAUTION
Do not use an off-the-shelf belt.
Your tiller has been engineered with belts made of
special material (Kevlar Tensile) for longer life and
better performance. They should not be replaced with
an off-the-shelf belt.
If belt replacement is required, order belt or belts by
part number from your nearest authorized dealer.
Drive Belt—Part Nos. 754-0109 (404, 405)
754-0207 (402)
Tine Belt—Part No. 754-0195
11