MTD 340 Thru 390 manual Assembling Your Tiller, Attaching Handle Assembly

SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR TILLER

NOTE: This operator’s guide covers three different model tillers. Models 340 thru 345 have forward tine drive only. Model 390 has both forward and reverse tine drive. Follow only the instructions which pertain to your model tiller. See the model plate on your tiller for the correct model number.

Attaching Handle Assembly

•Remove the hex bolt and cupped washer from the top right side of the frame halves. Hold the cable guide bracket on the left side of the frame as it will fall when the bolt is removed. See Figure 2.

NOTE: References to right or left side of the tiller are			Handle	Spark	Hex Lock Nut
determined from behind the unit in the operating			Brace
		Hand Knob		Plug
position.
Removing Unit From Carton
• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut		Handle
	tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open
	carton.	Hex Bolt &
• Remove all loose parts included with unit (i.e.,		Cupped Washer
	operator’s manual, etc.)
• Cut corners and lay carton down flat.		Frame Half		Shoulder Bolt
•	Remove packing material.
• Roll or slide unit out of carton. Check carton				Figure 2
	thoroughly for loose parts.
		• Insert the handle assembly between the two frame
• Extend control cable(s) to the rear of the tiller and
	lay them on the floor. Be careful not to bend or kink	halves. Insert the hex bolt just removed through the
	control cable(s).	frame halves, handle assembly, and into the cable
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil		guide bracket (notch in cable guide bracket goes
		over the flange on the frame). Tighten securely.
in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline
		• Loosen the hand knob which secures the handle
and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual
		brace to the handle assembly. (Standard Briggs &
before operating your machine.
		Stratton & Tecumseh Engines).
Before Assembly		• Remove handle crank from the handle brace.
		(Briggs & Stratton Intek Only).
	WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire	• Remove the hex lock nut from on top of the engine,
		just to the left of the spark plug. Attach the curved
	and ground it against the engine to prevent
		end of the handle brace to the top of the engine,
	unintended starting.
		using hex lock nut just removed. Tighten securely.
Attaching Tailpiece And Depth Stake		See Figure 3.(Standard Briggs & Stratton &
		Tecumseh engines).
Remove the two self-tapping screws on the frame.		• Insert handle crank through the welded bracket on
Slide the tailpiece into the frame with the lower hole in		the handle and into the threaded u-nut on the end
the tailpiece toward the front. Secure with screws just		of the handle brace. (Briggs & Stratton Intek
removed. See Figure 1.		only).
		• Select one of the three handle height positions
	Tailpiece	(three notches in welded bracket), and tighten the
		hand knob to secure the handle in desired position.
		Make certain carriage bolt is seated securely into
	Depth	one of the three positions provided.
	Stake
	Self-Tapping
	Screws
	Figure 1

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