MTD 12212, 12211 owner manual OFF Season Storage, Bolo Tines, Wheel Gear Cable Adjustment

Section 5: Maintenance

WARNING Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the unit, shut off engine, wait for all parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition key on elec- tric start models. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.

WHEEL GEAR CABLE ADJUSTMENT	OFF SEASON STORAGE
When the Wheel Gear Lever is in DISEN-	When the tiller won’t be used for
GAGE, the wheels will roll freely (free-	extended periods, prepare it for storage
wheel). The wheels should not roll freely	as follows:
when the lever is in ENGAGE. If the	1. Clean the tiller and engine.
wheels roll freely when the Wheel Gear	2. Do routine tiller lubrication and check
Lever is in ENGAGE, the wheel gear cable
	for loose parts and hardware.
needs to be adjusted as described below.
	3. Protect the engine and perform recom-
1. With the engine shut off and the spark
	mended engine maintenance by following
plug wire disconnected, put the Wheel
	the engine storage instructions found in
Gear Lever in ENGAGE.
	the separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
2. Loosen the top adjustment nut (A,
	NOTE: Be sure to protect the fuel lines,
Figure 5-4) on the wheel gear cable	carburetor and fuel tank from gum
bracket that is located on the left side rear	deposits by removing fuel or by treating
of the transmission.	fuel with a fuel stabilizer (follow engine
3. Push the wheel gear cable (B) down	manufacturer’s recommendations).
and roll the tiller slightly forward or back-	4. On electric start units, follow “Battery
ward until the eccentric lever (C) engages	Storage” instructions in this Section.
(locks) the wheels. Hold the cable in that	5. Store unit in a clean, dry area.
position and tighten the top (A) and
	6. Never store the tiller with fuel in the
bottom (D) adjustment nuts.
4. Move the Wheel Gear Lever to	fuel tank in an enclosed area where gas
	fumes could reach an open flame or
ENGAGE and DISENGAGE several times
	spark, or where ignition sources are
to check the adjustment. The wheels
	present (space heaters, hot water heaters,
should not roll when the lever is in
	furnaces, etc.).
ENGAGE, but they should roll when the
lever is in DISENGAGE. Readjust the	BOLO TINES
cable as required.

	The tines will wear with use and should
	be inspected at the beginning of each
B	tilling season and after every 30 operating
	hours. Tines can be replaced individually
A	or as a complete set. Never inspect or
	service the tines unless the engine is
D	stopped, the spark plug wire is discon-
	nected, and the ignition key is removed
C	on electric start models.
	A. Tine Inspection:
Figure 5-4: Wheel gear cable assembly.	With use, the tines will become shorter,
	narrower and pointed (Figure 5-5). Badly
	worn tines will result in a loss of tilling
	depth and reduced effectiveness when
	chopping up and turning under organic
	matter. Use Figure 5-5 as a guide to
	when the tines should be replaced.

Moderate Wear

New

Tine

Replace

Figure 5-5: Checking tines for wear.

B. Removing a Single Tine:

1.Remove the two screws and nuts that attach a single tine to the tine holder (Figure 5-6). If needed, use penetrating oil to help free the nuts.

2.When installing a single tine, be sure to position it so that its cutting edge will enter the soil first as the tiller moves forward.

C. Removing a Tine Assembly:

1.If removing both tine assemblies, mark them “left” and “right” before removal. Doing so will help ensure that the assem- blies are reinstalled on the correct sides of the tiller.

2.Remove the screw and locknut that secure the tine assembly to the tine shaft (Photo 5-7). Pull the tine assembly off the shaft (if necessary, use a rubber mallet to tap the tine assembly outward).

3.Before reinstalling the tine assembly, inspect the tine shaft for rust, rough spots or burrs and file or sand as needed. Apply a thin coat of grease to the shaft.

4.Install each tine assembly so that the cutting edge of the tines will enter the soil first when the tiller moves forward. Secure the tine assembly to the tine shaft using the screw and locknut previously removed. Tighten securely.

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