MTD 410 Series manual Maintaining Your Tiller, Engine, Cleaning Tine Area, Tires, Lubrication

SECTION 6: MAINTAINING YOUR TILLER

WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine before performing any repairs or maintenance.

Engine

Refer to the separate engine manual for engine maintenance instructions.

Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit. Read and follow instructions carefully.

Service air cleaner every ten hours under normal conditions. Clean every hour under extremely dusty 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.

Remove tine assemblies and lubricate the tine shafts at least once a season.

Wheel Shafts

Remove wheel assemblies and lubricate the axle shafts at least once a season.

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 chaincase and cause serious damage to the unit.

Tires

Recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 14 p.s.i. on 14 inch tires and 20 p.s.i. on 16 inch tires. (Check sidewall of tire for tire manufacturer’s recommended pressure). Maximum tire pressure under any circumstances is 30 p.s.i. Equal tire pressure should be maintained on both tires.

When installing a tire to the rim, be certain rim is clean and free of rust. Lubricate both the tire and rim generously.

WARNING: Excessive pressure (over 30 p.s.i.) when seating beads may cause tire/ rim assembly to burst with force sufficient to cause serious injury.

Lubrication

Transmission

The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the factory. It requires no checking unless the transmission is disassembled. To fill with grease, lay the right half of the transmission on its side, add 22 ounces of Benalene 920 grease, and assemble the left half to it. This grease can be obtained at your nearest authorized dealer by ordering part number 737-0300.

Clutch Handle

Lubricate the pivot point on the clutch handle and the cable at least once a season with light oil. The control must operate freely in both directions.

Pivot Points

Lubricate all pivot points and linkages at least once a season with light oil.

Tine Shafts

Belt Replacement

Your tiller has been engineered with a belt made of special material (Kevlar Tensile) for longer life and better performance. It should not be replaced with an off-the-shelf belt. Order all belts through you authorized service dealer.

•Disconnect and ground the spark plug wire against the engine.

•Remove the belt cover from the left side of the tiller by removing two torx head screws from the top of belt cover.

•Remove two hex cap nuts and flat washers from front side of the belt cover. Remove the hex nut and flat washer at the back of the cover.

•Remove the belt keeper assembly located behind the engine pulley by removing two hex bolts and lock washers. See Figure 10.

•Remove belt and reassemble the new belt. Follow instructions in reverse order.

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