MTD 12211, 12212 Starting and Stopping, Engine, BREAK-IN Operation, PRE-START Checklist

	Section							Reverse Clutch
	4	Operation						Control
							Forward Clutch
										Wheel Gear Lever
							Control Lever
						Handlebar Height
						Adjustment Screw
	WARNING										Forward Clutch
											Control Lever
Before operating your machine, care-
fully read and understand all safety									Depth Regulator Lever
(Section 1), controls (Section 3) and
operating instructions (Section 4) in
this Manual, in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual, and on the decals on
the machine.
Failure to follow these instructions can
				Engine Throttle
result in serious personal injury.
				Control Lever
INTRODUCTION							Figure 4-1: Location of main tiller controls.
Read this Section of the manual thor-			STARTING AND STOPPING					2. Check unit for loose or missing hard-
oughly before you start the engine. Then,
take the time to familiarize yourself with			THE ENGINE					ware. Service as required.
the basic operation of the tiller before								3. Check engine oil level. See Engine
					CAUTION
using it in the garden.								Owner’s Manual.
Find an open, level area and practice			To help prevent serious personal injury					4. Check that all safety guards and
using the tiller controls without the tines			or damage to equipment:					covers are in place.
engaging the soil (put tines in “travel”			• Before starting engine, put Wheel					5. Check air cleaner and engine cooling
setting). Only after you’ve become com-								system. See Engine Owner’s Manual.
			Gear Lever in ENGAGE position.
pletely familiar with the tiller should you								6. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
			• Before starting engine, put Forward
begin using it in the garden.
			Clutch Control levers and Reverse
								DANGER
BREAK-IN OPERATION			Clutch Control in neutral (disengaged)
Perform the following maintenance			positions by releasing controls.					GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND
during the first hours of new operation			• Never run engine indoors or in					ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE.
(see “Maintenance” in this manual and in			enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.					Follow gasoline safety rules in this
the Engine Owner’s Manual).			Engine		exhaust contains carbon			manual (see Section 1) and in the sepa-
1. Change engine oil after first two (2)			monoxide, an odorless and deadly					rate Engine Owner’s Manual.
hours of new engine operation.			gas.					Failure to follow gasoline safety instruc-
2. Check for loose or missing hardware			• Avoid engine muffler and nearby					tions can result in serious personal
on unit. Tighten or replace as needed.			areas.		Temperatures in these areas			injury and property damage.
3. Check transmission gear oil level after			may exceed 150oF.
first two (2) hours of operation.								7. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline accord-
4. Check tension on forward clutch belt			PRE-START CHECKLIST:					ing to the directions in the separate
after first two (2) hours of operation.								Engine Owner’s Manual. Follow all
			Make the following checks and perform					instructions and safety rules carefully.

the following services before starting the engine.

1. Read the “Safety” and “Controls” Sec- tions in this Manual. Read the separate Engine Owner’s Manual provided by the engine manufacturer.

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