Service; Off-Season Storage - MTD 390 Serie Manual Del Operador

Service

WARNING!
Disconnect the spark
plug wire and ground it against
the engine before performing any
repairs.
Maintenance
Engine
Refer to the separate Engine Operator's Manual
for engine maintenance instructions.
Tines
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.
NOTE: 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 machine.
Lubrication
Pivot Points
Remove the belt cover and lubricate all the pivot
points and linkages at least once a season with
light oil. Keep the belts free of lubrication.
Tine Shafts
Remove the tine assemblies and lubricate the
tine shafts at least once a season.
Wheel Shafts
Remove the wheel assemblies and lubricate the
axle shafts at least once a season.
Chain Drive
The chain drive is pre-lubricated and sealed at
factory.
Adjustments
Cable Adjustment
Refer to the Assembly & Set-Up section of
this manual for instructions on adjusting the
forward and reverse cables.
End Caps
The end cap, which is used to prevent tilled soil
from overflowing onto unwanted areas, are
removable from the axle. Remove the hairpin
clip and clevis pin that secure each end cap and
slide the end caps off the axle. See Figure 5-1.
Clevis Pin
End Cap
Figure 5-1
Tines
With the outer tines installed, the working
width of the machine is 24 inches. This width
may be expanded to 26 inches by removing the
clevis and cotter pins, sliding each outer tine
outward away from the center of the tiller and
re-securing the pins in the holes provided. See
Figure 5-2.
Clevis Pin
Outer Tine
Cotter Pin
End Cap
Figure 5-2

Off-Season Storage

If the tiller will not be used for a period longer
than 30 days, the following steps should be
taken to prepare the tiller for storage.
1. Clean the exterior of the engine and
the entire tiller thoroughly. Lubricate
the tiller as described in the lubrication
instructions.
2. The use of pressure washers is not
recommended for cleaning your tiller.
They may cause damage to electric
Cotter Pin
components, spindles, pulleys, bearings
or the engine. The use of pressure
washers will result in shortened life and
reduce serviceability.
3. Engines stored between 30 and 90
days need to be treated with a gasoline
stabilizer and engines stored over 90 days
need to be drained of fuel to prevent
deterioration and gum from forming in
fuel system or on essential carburetor
parts. If the gasoline in your engine
deteriorates during storage, you may
need to have the carburetor, and other
fuel system components, serviced or
replaced.
WARNING:
an approved container outdoors,
away from an open flame. Allow
engine to cool. Extinguish
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition prior to
draining fuel.
4. Refer to the engine manual for more
information on storing the engine.
5. Wipe tines with oiled rag to prevent rust.
6. Store tiller in a clean, dry area. Do not
store next to corrosive materials, such as
fertilizer.
NOTE: When storing any type of power
equipment in an unventilated area or
metal storage shed, care should be taken
to rustproof the equipment. Using a light
oil or silicone, coat the equipment and
especially any springs, bearings, and
cables.
5
Drain fuel only into
9