19
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 can start to go stale in 30 days.
And, since stale fuel has a high gum
content, it 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 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.
5. Install the spark plug, but leave the
spark plug wire disconnected.
6. Clean the air filter as described on
Page 17.
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 17.
12. Order new parts to replace any that
are badly worn or broken. Just call
1-800-366-6268 and ask for a 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
(#53), 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 last
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 (#53)
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 11&12 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 18 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
ACCUMULATE 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.
! !
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