MTD 340 Thru 390 manual Lubrication, Cleaning Tine Area, Belt Replacement

conditions. 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 replacement is recommended at the start of each tiller 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 permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine performance and life. Be certain to remove all dirt and combustible debris from muffler area.

Lubrication

Pivot Points

Remove the belt cover and lubricate all moving parts and pivot points at least once a season using SAE 30 engine oil.

Chain Drive

The chain case is pre-lubricated and sealed at the factory.

Cleaning Tine Area

Clean the underside of the tine shield after each use. The dirt washes off the tines easier if rinsed off immediately instead of after it dries. Always towel dry the tiller afterwards and apply a light coat of oil or silicone to prevent rusting or water damage.

IMPORTANT: Never use a "pressure washer” to clean your tiller. Water can penetrate tight areas of the tiller and its chain case and cause serious damage to the unit.

Belt Replacement

Your tiller has been engineered with belts made of special material (Kevlar Tensile). 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 service dealer. See parts list.

Reverse Drive Belt (Model 390 Only)

•Disconnect and ground the spark plug wire against the engine. Remove the belt cover from the left side of the tiller as follows.

•Remove two self-tapping screws and flat washers from the front of belt cover. See Figure 16.

•Remove the hex stop nut and flat washer from the side of the belt cover. Remove belt cover.

Hex Washer	Lock Nut &
Screw	Flat Washer	Belt Cover

Figure 16

•Lift the belt off the transmission pulley.

•Remove the hex nut which secures the reverse idler pulley to the idler bracket. Slide idler pulley out and remove the belt. See Figure 17.

Reverse Idler		Forward
Pulley		Belt
Hex Nut
Engine Pulley	Reverse Belt	Transmission
Model 390 Shown		Pulley

Figure 17

•Reassemble the new belt, following instructions in reverse order. Make certain the reverse drive belt is assembled with the wide side of the belt against the transmission and engine pulleys.

Be certain to adjust the clutch control as instructed in the final clutch adjustment section of assembly instructions.

Forward Drive Belt

•Models 340 thru 345: Remove the belt cover by following steps 1 thru 3 of the previous section. Model 390: Remove the reverse drive belt as instructed in the previous section.

•Remove the belt keeper from the idler pulley by removing the idler pulley nut.

•Lift belt off the idler pulley and transmission pulley. See Figure 18.

•Using a 9/16" wrench, remove bolt from engine pulley.

•Push reverse idler pulley bracket forward, and remove engine pulley and belt. See Figure 18.

•Reassemble the new belt, following instructions in reverse order. Make certain the forward drive belt is

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