Owner`s manual
14
Each fall — or before you store your
MANTIS Tiller for any long period — be
sure to take these measures:
1. Do not store your Tiller with fuel
still in it. Even under ideal conditions,
stored fuel containing ethanol or MTBE
c
an start to go stale in 30 days. And,
since stale fuel has a high gum content,
i
t can clog the carburetor, this, in turn,
will restrict fuel flow. So, when you’re
ready to store your Tiller, or will not
be using it for more than 2 weeks,
drain the fuel tank completely. (Picture 2)
2. Next, restart the engine to make
sure no fuel is left in the carburetor.
Then run the engine until it stops. This
will prevent gum deposits, forming
inside of the carburetor and possible
engine damage.
3. Disconnect spark plug wire and
remove the spark plug. (Use the wrench
that comes in our optional Handy item
Kit, Item #8444. Or use a 19mm or 3/4”
spark-plug wrench.) Pour about a
teaspoon of clean, air-cooled, two-cycle
oil through the spark-plug hole into the
combustion chamber. (Picture 3) Leaving
the spark plug out slowly pull the starter
cord
two or three times to coat the inside
of the cylinder wall.
4. Replace the spark plug with a NGK-
BPM8Y. A replacement spark plug is
included in the optional
Handy Item Kit
item # 8444
.
5. Install the spark plug, but leave the
spark plug wire disconnected.
6. Clean the air filter as described on
Page 12.
7. Clean dirt, grass, and other
materials from the entire machine.
8. Wipe the tines with oil or spray
them with WD-40, to prevent rusting.
9. Oil the throttle cable and all visible
moving parts. (Do not remove the
engine cover.)
10. Replace the fuel filter.
11. Check the grease level in the worm
gear housing, as described on page 12.
12. Order new parts to replace any
that are badly worn or broken. Just call
your local authorized MANTIS dealer.
13. Store your Tiller, in an upright
position, in a clean, dry place. You can
store with the handles in an extended
position or folded down. (Picture 1)
14. To fold the handles, follow these
easy steps: Loosen the handle knobs
(#40), fold the handles forward (see
picture 1, inset). Tighten knob securely.
Your handles are now folded and ready
to store in a smaller area.
15. Do you have fuel left over from
l
ast season? Dispose of it properly. Buy
fresh oil and gasoline next season.
How to Prepare Your
MANTIS Tiller for
Restarting
Unfold the handles into an upright or
extended position. Tighten the two
handle knobs (#40)
In the Spring, when you take your Tiller
out of storage, remove the spark plug.
Pull the starter cord three or four times
to clean oil from the combustion
chamber.
(Picture 4) Wipe oil from the spark
plug. Place the spark plug back into the
cylinder. Re-connect the spark plug wire
back on the spark plug. Then follow the
steps on pages 7 & 8 to refuel and
restart your Tiller.
Again, Check the
Carburetor.
If your Tiller won’t restart in the
Spring — or if it lacks its usual power
— the carburetor may need attention.
Follow the steps on page 13 for adjusting
the H and L screws. (Picture 5)
Check the Spark Plug Too.
If your Tiller won’t restart, or if it
lacks full power, the spark plug may be
at fault. Check to see if the plug is
fouled with oily black deposits. Clean or
replace it if it is. (Picture 6)
Also, check whether the center
electrode is rounded at the end,
or if the ground electrode is worn. If
either is the case, you should replace it
with a NGK-BPM8Y spark plug. Use a
19mm or a 3/4” spark-plug wrench to
install it.
Adjust the plug gap to .024 -
.028 in. (
0.6 to 0.7 mm)
Caution: Do not over tighten
the plug. The correct torque is 11 to
13 ft.-lbs. (15-17 N.m) or 130-150 in lbs
and 150-170 kgl.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
To avoid possible damage to the
threads, do not try to remove
the plug from a hot aluminum
cylinder head.
STORAGE
WARNING•DANGER
DO NOT STORE IN AN AREA
WHERE FUEL FUMES MAY
A
CCUMULATE AND REACH A
FLAME OR SPARK.
Picture 1
Picture 2 Picture 3
! !
Picture 4
Picture 6
Picture 5
WARNING
Always make sure the handle
knobs are secure before
starting your MANTIS Tiller.
! !
401710 Tiller Red 20pgs_???code Tiller Grn 5/24/10 11:06 AM Page 14