Know Your Unit; Assembly Instructions; Oil And Fuel Information; Starting/Stopping Instructions - MTD Yard Machines YM121 Manual Del Operador

KNOW YOUR UNIT

APPLICATION
• Cultivating sod and light to
medium soil
• Cultivating in garden areas,
Handgrip
around trees, etc.
Throttle
Control
On/Off Stop
Control

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

ASSEMBLING THE UNIT
Before operating, position the unit's handlebars.
NOTE: You may also need to reposition the wheel height before
using the cultivator. Refer to the Adjusting Tine Depth
section.
Begin by carefully unpacking the contents and making sure that
nothing is damaged.
POSITIONING THE HANDLEBARS
1. Loosen the two knobs on the inside of the handlebars (Fig. 1).
2. With the unit upright, swing the handlebars up into the
operating position (Fig. 1).
NOTE: Take care not to pinch the throttle cable or switch wires
when positioning the handlebar.
3. Tighten the knobs to secure the handlebars in place.
NOTE: Do not over-tighten the knobs.
4. Readjust the throttle cable and switch the wires so they are
smooth and tight against the handlebar assembly. This will
help prevent them from catching or snagging during normal
operation.
INSTALLING THE WHEEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY
If the wheel bracket assembly is not installed, or if you ever need
to remove or reinstall it, follow the ensuing instructions.
WARNING:
To avoid injury from the tines,
wear heavy gloves and a long sleeve shirt when
installing the wheel bracket assembly.
WARNING:
To prevent serious personal injury,
the wheel bracket assembly must be installed
when operating the unit.
1. With the unit on its side, place the wheel bracket assembly
on the underside of the tine guard (Fig. 3).
2. Install a carriage bolt through each of the slotted holes in the
wheel bracket and into the tine guard.
3. On the TOP side of the tine guard, install a lock washer and a
wing nut onto each of the bolts (Fig. 3).
4. Make sure the square shoulder of the bolts is pushed through the slotted holes in the wheel bracket.
Tighten the wing nuts (Fig. 3).
NOTE: Do not over-tighten the wing nuts. Loosen the wing nuts to adjust wheel height.

OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION

OIL AND FUEL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
Old and/or improperly mixed fuel are the main reasons for the unit not running properly. Be sure to use
fresh, clean unleaded fuel. Follow the instructions carefully for the proper fuel/oil mixture.
DEFINITION OF BLENDED FUELS
Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol, or MTBE (ether).
Alcohol-blended fuel absorbs water. As little as 1% water in the fuel can make fuel and oil separate. It
forms acids when stored. When using alcohol-blended fuel, use fresh fuel (less than 60 days old).
USING BLENDED FUELS
If you choose to use a blended fuel, or its use is unavoidable, follow recommended precautions:
• Always use the fresh fuel mix explained in your operator's manual
• Always agitate the fuel mix before fueling the unit
• Drain the tank and run the engine dry before storing the unit
CAUTION:
For proper engine operation and maximum reliability, pay strict attention to
the oil and fuel mixing instructions on the 2-cycle oil container. Using improperly mixed fuel
can severely damage the engine.
4
Primer Bulb
Spark Plug
Fuel Cap
Handlebar
Knob
Starter Rope
Grip
Shaft Tube Grip
Wheel Bracket
Assembly
Handlebar
Knob
Fig. 1
Hole
Bolt
Washer
Fig. 2
Tine
Guard
Wing Nut & Lock Washer
Fig. 3
USING FUEL ADDITIVES
Choke The bottle of 2-cycle oil that came with your unit contains a fuel additive which will help inhibit corrosion
Lever and minimize the formation of gum deposits. It is recommended that you use our 2-cycle oil with this unit.
If unavailable, use a good 2-cycle oil designed for air-cooled engines along with a fuel additive, such as
STA-BIL® Gas Stabilizer or an equivalent. Add 0.8 oz. (23 ml.) of fuel additive per gallon of fuel
according to the instructions on the container. NEVER add fuel additives directly to the unit's fuel tank.
Air Filter/
Thoroughly mix the proper ratio of 2-cycle engine oil with
Muffler
unleaded gasoline in a separate fuel can. Use a 40:1 fuel/oil
Cover
ratio. Do not mix them directly in the engine fuel tank. See the
Muffler
table below for specific gas and oil mixing ratios.
NOTE: One gallon (3.8 liters) of unleaded gasoline mixed with
one 3.2 oz. (95 ml.) bottle of 2-cycle oil makes a 40:1
fuel/oil ratio.
WARNING:
Ignited vapors may explode. Always stop the engine
and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Do not
smoke while filling the tank. Keep sparks and open
flames at a distance from the area.
NOTE: Dispose of the old fuel/oil mix in accordance to
Federal, State and Local regulations.
WARNING:
Tine Guard
unit without the fuel cap securely in place.
WARNING:
immediately. Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilt fuel. Do not start the engine until
Gear Box
fuel vapors dissipate.
FILLING THE FUEL TANK
Make sure the cultivator is in a horizontal position when filling or
Tines
adding fuel to the tank. (Fig. 4)

STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING:
unit without the fuel cap securely in place.
WARNING:
pulling the starter rope (Fig. 7). To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit must be
Handlebar
in a stable position while starting.
Knob
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
Handlebars
1. Mix gas with oil. Fill fuel tank with fuel/oil mixture. Refer to Oil and Fuel Mixing Instructions.
2. Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times, slowly. Some
amount of fuel should be visible in the primer bulb and fuel lines
(Fig. 6). If fuel is not visible in the bulb, press and release the
bulb until fuel is visible.
3. Place the choke lever in Position 1 (Fig. 6).
4. Stand between the handlebars and support the unit by
placing your left foot on the wheel bracket assembly and
gripping the handlebar grip with your right hand (Fig. 7).
NOTE: Tilt the unit back slightly to bring the tines off the ground
when starting.
5. While squeezing the throttle control, grasp the starter rope grip
Tighten
with your left hand. Pull the rope briskly 5 times.
NOTE: The throttle control should be kept squeezed throughout
the remainder of these steps.
6. Move the blue choke lever to Position 2. (Fig. 6)
7. While squeezing the throttle control, pull the starter rope 3 to
5 times to start the engine.
8. Keep the throttle squeezed and allow the engine to warm up
for 30 to 60 seconds.
NOTE: Engine may take longer to warm up and reach maximum
operating speed at colder temperatures.
9. While continuing to squeeze the throttle control, move the
blue choke lever in Position 3 (Fig. 6) and continue warming
the engine for an additional 60 seconds. During this time the
unit may be used.
NOTE: Unit is properly warmed up when engine accelerates
without hesitation.
IF... The engine does not start, go back to step 2.
IF... The engine fails to start after a few attempts, place the
choke lever in Position 3 and squeeze the throttle control.
Pull the starter rope briskly 3 to 8 times. The engine
should start. If not, repeat.
IF WARM... If the engine is already warm, make sure the On/Off
control 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 throttle control. Allow the engine
to cool down by idling.
2. Press and hold the On/Off Control in the STOP (O) position until the engine comes to a complete
stop.
OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION
Gasoline is extremely flammable.
UNLEADED GAS
Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid injury from fuel spray. Never operate the
Add fuel in a clean, well ventilated outdoor area. Wipe up any spilled fuel
Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid injury from fuel spray. Never operate the
Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the starting position when
Position 1
Starting Position
2 CYCLE OIL
1 GALLON 3.2 FL. OZ.
(3.8 LITERS) (95 ml)
1 LITER 25 ml
MIXING RATIO - 40:1
Fig. 4
Stop/Off (O)
Throttle Control
On/Off
Start/On (I)
Control
Fig. 5
Position 3
Position 2
Choke
Lever
Primer Bulb
Fig. 6
Starter
Rope
Throttle
Control
Fig. 7