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5

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

OPERATING TIPS

1.

Move the cultivator to the work area prior to starting the
engine. Transport the cultivator by pushing it on its wheels.

2.

Start the unit as described in the Starting Instructions.

3.

With the engine running and the tines off the ground,
depress the throttle control to increase the engine speed.

4.

Holding both of the handlebar grips firmly, slowly lower the
cultivator until the tines make contact with the ground (Fig. 8).

5.

As cultivating action begins, pull back on the cultivator so
that the tines can penetrate the ground.

6.

Once the ground has been broken, continue at a moderate pace until you are familiar with the
controls and the handling of the cultivator.

7.

Pull the cultivator backwards to improve the depth of cultivation and reduce your effort.

8.

If the tines are digging too deep or not deep enough, adjust them according to Adjusting Tine Depth.

WARNING:

Dress properly to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. Do not 

wear loose clothing or jewelry. Wear eye and ear/hearing protection. Wear heavy long
pants, boots and gloves. Do not wear short pants, sandals or operate barefoot.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Perform these required maintenance procedures at the frequency stated in the table. These procedures
should also be a part of any seasonal tune-up.

NOTE:

Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about
these procedures take your unit to any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or
authorized service dealer. 

NOTE:

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system may be
performed by any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer.

In order to assure peak performance of your engine, inspection of the engine exhaust port may be necessary
after 50 hours of operation. If you notice lost RPM, poor performance or general lack of acceleration, this
service may be required. If you feel your engine is in need of this inspection, refer service to any non-road
engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer for repair. 

DO NOT

attempt to perform this

process yourself as engine damage may result from contaminants involved in the cleaning process for the port.

WARNING:

To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs with unit

running. Always service and repair a cool unit. Disconnect the spark plug wire to ensure that
the unit cannot start.

FREQUENCY

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED

SEE

Before starting engine

Fill fuel tank with fresh fuel mix

p. 4

Every 10 hours

Clean and re-oil air filter

p. 5

Every 25 hours

Check and clean spark arrestor
Check spark plug condition and gap

p. 5
p. 6

Every 50 hours

Inspect exhaust port and spark arrestor screen for clogging
or obstruction to assure maximum performance levels.

p. 5

6.

Replace the air filter inside the muffler cover (Fig. 13).

NOTE:

Operating the unit without the air filter and cover
assembly  will 

VOID

the warranty.

Reinstalling the Air filter/Muffler Cover

1.

Place the air filter/muffler cover over the back of the
carburetor and muffler.

NOTE:

The blue choke lever must be in 

Postion 2

(Fig. 12) to

remove the air filter/ muffler cover.

2.

Insert the four (4) screws into the holes in the air filter/ muffler
cover (Fig. 12) and tighten. Use a # T20 Torx bit screwdriver.
Do not over tighten. Do not force.

SPARK ARRESTOR MAINTENANCE

1.

Remove air filter/muffler cover. 

Refer to Removing the Air

Filter/Muffler Cover

.

2.

Locate the muffler, but do not remove it. Find the screw on
the bottom of the muffler (Fig. 17). Remove the screw using
either a torx #20 or flat blade screwdriver.

3.

Carefully pry up the left side spark arrestor hood. Two tabs
act as hinges on the right side of the hood. Flip open the
spark arrestor hood like a door and then pull its tabs out of
the muffler slots.

4.

Using a small flat blade screwdriver, carefully pry the spark
arrestor screen out from the inside of the spark arrestor
hood. 

5.

Clean the spark arrestor screen with a wire brush. Replace it
if it is damaged, or if you are unable to clean it thoroughly.

6.

Reinstall the spark arrestor screen snugly back into the spark
arrestor hood.

7.

Reinstall the two hood tabs into the two muffler slots and flip
the spark arrestor hood closed.

8.

Replace the screw you removed in Step 2 and tighten it
securely.

9.

Reinstall the air filter/muffler cover.

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENTS

The engine’s idle speed adjuster is adjustable through the air
filter/muffler cover (Fig 18).

NOTE:

Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit.
An authorized service dealer should make carburetor
adjustments.

Check Fuel Mixture

Old and/or improperly mixed fuel is usually the reason for the unit
not running properly. Drain and refill the tank with fresh, properly
mixed fuel prior to making any adjustments. Refer to Oil and Fuel
Information.

Clean Air Filter

The condition of the air filter is important to the operation of the unit. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow
and change the air/fuel mixture. This is often mistaken for an out of adjustment carburetor. Check the
condition of the air filter before adjusting the idle speed adjuster. 

Refer to Air Filter Maintenance

.

Adjust Idle Speed Adjuster

If after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter the
engine still will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:

1.

Start the engine and let it run for about 2-3 minutes at a high
speed (full throttle) to warm up. Refer to the
Starting/Stopping Instructions.

NOTE:

Ensure the tines are not in contact with the ground when
adjusting the idle.

2.

Release the throttle control and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, insert a small phillips
screwdriver into the hole in the muffler cover (Fig. 18). Turn the idle speed screw 

clockwise

1/8 of a

turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.

NOTE:

The tines should not rotate during engine idle.

3.

If the tines rotate when the engine idles, turn the idle speed screw 

counterclockwise

1/8 of a turn

at a time (as needed), to reduce idle speed. 

Checking the fuel mixture, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed screw should solve most
engine problems. If not and all the following are true:

The engine will not idle

The engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration

There is a loss of engine power

Have the carburetor adjusted by an authorized service dealer.

WARNING:

If the exhaust deflector assembly

is not tightened securely, it could fall off causing
damage to the unit and possible serious
personal injury.

TINE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT 
NOTE:

All installation instructions are explained from the
operating postion.

All 4 tines should be replaced at the same time because they will
wear evenly through normal use. Work on one side at a time.

1.

Press and hold the On/Off Stop Control in the STOP (O)
position and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2.

Lay the cultivator back on a flat level surface with the
handles touching the ground so that the cultivator is in a
horizontal postion.

NOTE:

It may be necessary to wash any dirt off the tines and
shaft for easier tine removal. 

3.

Remove the click pin from each end of the tine shaft. Slide
the tines off of the shaft (Fig. 10).

4.

Clean and oil the shaft.

5.

Slide on the new tines with the hubs facing in towards each other.
Making sure that the rotation arrows are facing the gearbox when
installing the tines on left tine shaft and away from the gearbox for
the right tine shaft. (Fig. 11)

6.

Secure the new tines to the shaft with click pins. (Fig. 10)

AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE

Removing the Air Filter/Muffler Cover

1.

Place the blue choke lever in 

Position 2

.

NOTE:

The blue choke lever must be in 

Position 2 

(Fig. 12) to

remove the air filter/ muffler cover.

2.

Remove the four (4) screws securing the air filter/muffler
cover (Fig. 12). Use a # T20 Torx bit screwdriver.

3.

Pull the cover from the engine. Do not force.

Cleaning the Air Filter

Clean and re-oil the air filter every 10 hours of operation. It is an
important item to maintain. Failure to maintain your air filter properly
can result in poor performance or can cause permanent damage to
your engine.
1.

Remove the air filter/muffler cover. Refer to the Removing the
Air filter/Muffler Cover section.

2.

Remove the air filter from inside the air filter/muffler cover
(Fig. 13).

3.

Wash the filter in detergent and water (Fig. 14). Rinse the filter
thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water. Allow it to dry completely.

4.

Apply enough SAE 30 oil to lightly coat the filter (Fig. 15).

5.

Squeeze the filter to spread and remove extra oil (Fig. 16).

ADJUSTING TINE DEPTH

Tine adjustment will vary depending on the type of soil being cultivated and how it will be used.
Generally, adjusting the tines to break the soil 4 to 6 inches is recommended for most gardens. Adjust
the tines as follows:
1.

Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2.

Loosen (do not remove) the two wing nuts on the tine guard (Fig. 9).

3.

Slide the wheel bracket assembly down for shallower penetration, and up for deeper tine
penetration.

4.

Once the tines are in the desired position, tighten the wing nuts, making sure that the carriage bolts
are seated properly through the bracket.

5.

If the tine depth is incorrect, repeat steps 2 to 4.

6.

Reconnect the spark plug wire and continue use.

TRANSPORTING THE UNIT

1.

Stop the engine.

2.

Slide the wheel bracket assembly all the way down.

3.

Tilt the unit back until the tines clear the ground.

4.

Push or pull the unit to the next location.

CAUTION:

To prevent serious personal injury,

never pick-up or carry the unit while the engine is
running.

WARNING:

To prevent serious personal injury,

always wear heavy gloves when handling the
tines.

WARNING:

To prevent serious personal injury,

always stop the engine when operation is
delayed or when transporting the unit from one
location to another

WARNING:

To prevent serious personal injury, use extreme caution when reversing or

pulling the unit towards you.

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

Air Filter

Inside Muffler Cover

Fig. 13

Blue Choke

Lever

Screws

Position 2

Fig. 12

Screws

Fig. 16

Slots

Spark

Arrestor

Hood

Screw

Fig. 17

Tabs

Spark Arrestor

Screen

Engine

Muffler

Idle Speed Screw

Fig. 18

WARNING:

To avoid serious personal injury,

always turn your unit off and allow it to cool
before you clean or service it.

WARNING:

The unit will still run during idle

speed adjustments. Wear protective clothing and
observe all safety instructions to prevent serious
personal injury.

Gearbox

Left Tine

Shaft

Fig. 11

Right Tine Shaft

Fig. 10

Click Pin

Tine

Left Tine Shaft

Summary of Contents for YM121

Page 1: ...sembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls operation or maintenance of this unit please call the Customer Support Department DO NOT RETURN THE UNIT TO THE RETAILER PROOF OF PUR...

Page 2: ...unit towards you Do not overreach Always keep proper footing and balance Take extra care when working on steep slopes or inclines Always hold the unit with both hands when operating Keep a firm grip...

Page 3: ...ed parts or accessories could lead to serious injury to the user or damage to the unit and void your warranty Keep unit clean of vegetation and other materials They may become lodged between the tines...

Page 4: ...l is in the ON I position and start the unit with the choke lever in Position 2 After the unit starts move the blue choke lever to Position 3 STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS 1 Release your hand from the throttl...

Page 5: ...djusting the idle speed adjuster Refer to Air Filter Maintenance Adjust Idle Speed Adjuster If after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter the engine still will not idle adjust the idl...

Page 6: ...OTE Replace a cracked fouled or dirty spark plug 3 Set the air gap at 0 025 in 0 635 mm using a feeler gauge Fig 19 4 Install a correctly gapped spark plug in the cylinder head Tighten by turning the...

Page 7: ...7 NOTES...

Page 8: ...8 NOTES...

Page 9: ...mtdproducts com www mtdproducts ca NE RETOURNEZ PAS L APPAREIL AU D TAILLANT CHEZ QUI VOUS L AVEZ ACHET TOUT SERVICE SOUS GARANTIE N CESSITE UNE PREUVE D ACHAT CE PRODUIT EST COUVERT PAR UN OU PLUSIE...

Page 10: ...d un embrayage Les dents restent immobiles lorsque le moteur est au ralenti Si ce n est pas le cas faites r gler l appareil par un technicien agr Avant de d marrer l appareil assurez vous que les den...

Page 11: ...tion ou de retrait des dents L appareil et les dents doivent tre arr t s pour viter toute blessure Les dents deviennent tr s tranchantes l usage Portez toujours des gants lorsque vous manipulez retire...

Page 12: ...d j chaud assurez vous que l interrupteur Marche Arr t est en position ON et d marrez la machine avec le levier bleu en Position 2 Apr s que la machine ait d marr mettez le levier bleu en Position 3...

Page 13: ...rites du point de vue de la position d utilisation Vous devez remplacer les 4 dents en m me temps parce qu elles s usent de mani re gale Commencez par un c t la fois 1 Mettez la commande Marche Arr t...

Page 14: ...fermement le c ble de bougie et retirez le capuchon de celle ci 2 Nettoyez le pourtour de la bougie Retirez la bougie de la culasse en tournant la douille de 5 8 po gauche REMARQUE Remplacez toute bo...

Page 15: ...igence ou maintenance inad quate de votre quipement Votre syst me de contr le des missions par vaporation peut comprendre des pi ces telles que carburateurs r servoirs de carburant conduits d essence...

Page 16: ...F8 NOTES...

Page 17: ...d visite nuestro sitio en www mtdproducts com www mtdproducts ca NO REGRESE SU UNIDAD AL VENDEDOR PARA SOLICITAR SERVICIO POR LA GARANTIA DEBERA PRESENTAR PRUEBA DE SU COMPRA ESTE PRODUCTO ESTA CUBIER...

Page 18: ...aga que un t cnico de servicio autorizado ajuste la unidad Verifique que las p as no hagan contacto con ning n objeto antes de arrancar la unidad Evite arrancar la unidad accidentalmente Col quese en...

Page 19: ...ue el motor para realizar el mantenimiento reparaciones para instalar o sacar las p as La unidad debe estar apagada y las p as deben haberse detenido para evitar lesiones Con el uso las p as se afilan...

Page 20: ...or ya est caliente cerci rese de que el control de Encendido Apagado est en la posici n de ARRANQUE I y arranque la unidad con la palanca azul en la Posici n 2 Despu s de que la unidad arranque mueva...

Page 21: ...elva a colocar el tornillo que quit en el Paso 2 y apri tele firmemente 9 Reinstale la tapa del filtro de aire silenciador AJUSTE DEL CARBURADOR La velocidad lenta del motor puede ser ajustada por la...

Page 22: ...l carburador a un proveedor de servicio autorizado para que lo ajuste CAMBIO DE LA BUJIA DE ENCENDIDO Use una buj a de encendido Champion RDJ7Y o similar La separaci n correcta es de 0 020 pulgadas 0...

Page 23: ...c sped y el jard n peque o para el per odo que se indica a continuaci n siempre y cuando no haya habido maltrato negligencia o mantenimiento inadecuado de su equipo Su sistema de control de emisiones...

Page 24: ...erves the right to change or improve the design of any MTD Product without assuming any obligation to modify any product previously manufactured No implied warranty including any implied warranty of m...

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