Operation; Starting Engine; Stopping Engine - MTD Series 200 Operator's Manual

Operation

WARNING!
Read, understand, and follow all
instructions and warnings posted on the machine
and in this manual before operating.
WARNING!
Be sure no one other than the operator
is standing near the tiller while starting the engine
or operating the unit. Never run the engine indoors
or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and
deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing
away from any moving parts on the engine and the
tiller.

Starting Engine

WARNING!
Be sure no one is standing in front of
the tiller while the engine is running or being
started.
Refer to the engine manual for instructions.
1. Attach the spark plug wire to the spark plug. Make sure the
metal cap on the end of the spark plug is fastened securely
over the metal tip on the spark plug.
2. Make sure that the tine clutch control is disengaged.
3. Place the throttle control (if equipped) in the FAST position.
4. For first time start-up, firmly press engine primer five (5)
times. For all future starts, press three (3) times. Wait about
two seconds between each press.
5. Place your left hand on the gas tank. Grasp the recoil starter
and pull the rope out slowly until the engine reaches the
beginning of its compression cycle (rope will pull slightly
harder at this point).
6. Pull the rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep
a firm grip on the handle. Let the rope rewind slowly. Do
not let the recoil starter snap back against the engine.
Repeat until the engine starts.

Stopping Engine

1. Move the throttle control lever (if equipped) to STOP or
OFF position. Refer to the engine manual for instructions
on stopping the engine.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and
ground against the engine.
Using Your Tiller
Your tiller is designed for seed bed preparation, cultivating,
furrowing, and mulching.
Controlling Tilling and Depth Speed
By increasing the depth of the depth stake, the forward speed
of the machine is reduced and the working depth is increased.
When the depth stake is raised, the working depth of the
machine is reduced and the forward speed is increased.
The working depth of the machine may be predetermined by
setting the depth stake so that the wheels are about four inches
from the ground when the tines and depth stake are resting on
the ground. This setting will permit a working depth of about
four inches. When presetting the working depth, the handles
should be adjusted so the hand grips are a little above the waist.
The tiller will be lower when the tines and depth stake penetrate
the ground.
For tilling, the depth stake must be lowered and the wheel must
be raised. See Fig. 5-1.
Figure 5-1
When tilling, leave approximately eight inches of untilled soil
between the first and second tilling paths, then make the third
path between the first and second. See Fig. 5-2.
4 5
Figure 5-2
5
2 3 1
9