OPERATOR’S MANUAL Rear Tine Tiller Model 454 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forestcovered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices ...................................................................3 Assembling Your Tiller .......................................................................................5 Know Your Tiller .................................................................................................7 Operating Your Tiller ..........................................................................................8 Making Adjustments...............
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Never operate the machine at high transport speeds on hard or slippery surfaces. Exercise caution to avoid slipping or falling. Look down and behind and use care when in reverse or pulling machine towards you. Start the engine according to the instructions found in this manual and keep feet well away from the tines at all times. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine.
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLING YOUR TILLER NOTE: References to right or left side of the tiller are Flat Washer Hex Bolt T-Knob determined from behind the unit in the operating position. Hairpin Clip Clevis Pin To Remove Unit From Carton • • • • • • Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts included with unit (i.e., operator’s manual, etc.). Cut corners and lay carton down flat. Remove packing material.
• Push the cable through the hole in the center of the handle and snap in the plastic fitting. See Figure 3. • • Slot Head Screw, Nut, & Flat Washers • Internally Threaded Tube Remove hairpin clips from control rod, (rubber washers to remain on control rod). Insert the shorter, (angled), end of the control rod through the indicator bracket on the shift cover and secure with hairpin clip that was previously removed. See Figure 5.
Tire Pressure NOTE: A secondary cable adjustment is available if you reach the point that additional adjustment is needed. Remove the belt cover and move the hex nuts at the other end of the cable towards the end of the casing. Then readjust the hex nuts at the handle. The tires on your unit may be over-inflated for shipping purposes. Reduce the tire pressure before operating the unit. Recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 20 p.s.i.
Throttle Control To shift into forward wheels and tine drive, push forward slightly on the gear selection handle and slowly engage the clutch control allowing the gears to synchronize. To stop forward movement and tine drive, release the clutch control. Do not shift gears with the clutch control engaged except when engaging the tines. The throttle control lever is located on the engine. It controls the engine speed and stops the engine.
To Stop Engine • • • When breaking up sod and for shallow cultivation, use the setting which gives 1" of tilling depth (second hole from the top). Place the side shields in their lowest position. • For further depth, raise the depth stake and side shields and also make one or two more passes over the area. • When tilling loose soil, the depth stake may be raised to its highest position (use bottom adjustment hole) to give the deepest tilling depth. Raise the side shields to their highest position.
SECTION 5: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: Never attempt to make any With the engine off and the clutch control bail disengaged, shift the gear selection handle to each forward mode. If the indicator bracket touches the idler pulley rod (with the clutch control bail disengaged), then an adjustment is necessary. adjustments while the engine is running, except where specified in operator’s manual. Handle Adjustment • The handle height may be adjusted to the desired height.
Wheel Shafts Idler Pulley Rod Remove wheel assemblies and lubricate the axle shafts at least once a season. Cleaning Tine Area Engine Pulley 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.
SECTION 7: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Fuel will not last over thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is used. Move throttle lever to start position. Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Tines do not engage Tines skip over ground Wheels do not engage Throttle control lever not in correct starting position (if so equipped). Blocked fuel line. Dirty aircleaner.
Notes 13
Model 454 16 13 35 29 46 53 16 52 31 35 28 17 45 12 44 17 33 36 6 15 3 27 5 1 10 18 36 42 23 7 22 34 43 47 21 32 36 20 8 37 51 50 10 9 24 34 45 26 4 40 25 36 41 36 35 16 29 19 49 44 33 14 35 16 35 14 14 2 48 14 28 11 14 16
Model 454 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Part No. 611-0020 611-0021 611-0128 611-0129 617-0058 617-0059 617-0060 617-0061 617-0062 686-0108 710-0376 710-0599 710-0604A 710-3008 711-1349 712-0378 712-3004A 713-0367 713-0484 716-0865 717-0853 717-1582 717-1583 717-1584 717-1585 717-1587 Ref. No. Part Description Wheel Shaft Ass’y 33T Tine Shaft Ass’y: 18T Jack Shaft Ass’y Input Shaft Ass’y Rev.
Model 454 12 67 2 15 12 70 22 60 70 61 5 69 68 10 17 23 19 18 7 1 3 11 60 20 8 14 6 16 4 61 62 34 37 9 64 25 27 30 38 27 21 39 26 63 32 36 33 31 26 46 42 24 29 49 44 28 66 26 30 41 30 44 26 40 59 35 50 51 65 58 53 55 56 54 57 16
Model 454 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. Part No. 747-1152 649-0041 649-0034 710-3005 710-3056 711-0415 712-0379 712-0429 714-0147 720-0313 720-0210A 720-0278A 726-0317 735-0246 736-0117 736-0242 738-0958 784-0190 784-0191 786-0120 747-1219 786-0181 686-0044A 710-0176 710-3008 710-3097 712-0421 736-0169 712-3004A 726-0106 738-0849 747-0432 Ref. No.
Model 454 18 27 45 44 12 9 19 26 24 17 6 28 8 1 15 3 25 14 2 40 10 11 13 22 21 20 4 7 43 5 23 42 16 35 41 39 38 33 32 37 31 36 34 30 29 18
Model 454 Ref. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Part No. 686-0111 710-0237 710-0412 710-0502A 710-0152 710-0599 710-0723 712-0266 712-3010 714-0104 736-0104 736-0119 736-0176 736-0271 736-0329 736-0452 738-0876 746-1117 747-1159 754-0434 756-0405 756-0971 756-0972 756-1162 Ref. No. Part Description Belt Cover Bracket Ass’y Hex Bolt 5/16-24 x .62” Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x .75” Hex Washer Screw 3/8-16 x 1.25” Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x 1.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. “MTD” warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in materials or workmanship.