MTD 450 Series Maintaining Your Tiller, Engine, Lubrication, Cleaning Tine Area, Belt Replacement

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Maintaining

Your Tiller

WARNING

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

NOTE: Specifications are subject to change without notification or obligation.

Images my not reflect your exact model and are for reference purposes only.

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

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.

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

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 im- mediately 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 a belt made of special material (Kevlar Tensile) for longer life and better perfor- mance. 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 remove two torx screws from the top of belt cover. See Figure 7-1.

Torx Screws Belt Cover

Hex Cap Nut &

Flat Washer

Self Tap Screw

Figure 7-1

•Remove the hex cap nut and flat washer from the side of the belt cover and remove the self tap screw at the bottom of the front of the cover.

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