User manual MTD 1015-0

[. . . ] No. A B C CAUTION TO AVOID INJURY: • When using the aerator attachment the tine hood must be properly and securely attached. • Your machine must be set up in the rear tine tiller mode (handlebar swiveled over tine hood— see Owner’s Manual). • Read the Owner’s Manual thoroughly. • Know the location and function of all controls. [. . . ] • Never allow children or uninstructed adults to operate the machine. • Shut off engine and disconnect spark plug wire before unclogging tines or making repairs. • Keep bystanders away from machine. • Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine toward you. Part No. 1911420 GW-9380 GW-9338 Description Qty. Aerator Tine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Clevis Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Hair Pin Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A A B Installation Steps A WARNING TO AVOID INJURY: • Before installing or removing the attachment, shut the engine off, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touching the spark plug. Tines may be sharp. C A Figure 1 1. Move the unit to a flat, level work surface (swivel handlebar over the engine to “freewheel” the machine). Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug to prevent the possibility of accidental engine starting. B A D C E F E Figure 2: Remove the tine hood, then take off the tine sets and put them aside. 3. Take off the tine hood to make access to the tines easier. First remove the hair pin clip (A, Figure 2) from the hood release pin (B). Slide the hood release pin out of the hood bracket (C). Secure all four tines with clevis pins and hair pin clips. C Operation Tips CAUTION TO AVOID INJURY: • Do not operate machine when you are barefoot or when wearing sandals, sneakers, or similar lightweight footwear. Wear footwear that will protect your feet and improve footing on all surfaces. • Always stop the engine before“freewheeling” the machine to another location. • Stop engine, allow it to cool, and disconnect the spark plug wire before unclogging the tines or performing any repairs or maintenance. 3. Figure 4 The aerator attachment helps develop healthy, dense lawns by loosening the soil to contribute to better, more vigorous root growth. The typical lawn should be aerated once or twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. Lawns with heavily compacted soil, or lawns with very hard soil may benefit from additional aeration cycles during the year, particularly during times of greatest potential growth. • For best results: - Mow and rake the lawn before aeration. - The soil should be somewhat moist or soft, rather than very dry and hard. - You may wish to dethatch your lawn before aeration. The dethatcher attachment (check with your authorized dealer or the Factory as to availability) works well for this purpose. Figure 5 • Holding the Drive Bail closed against the handlebar engages the wheels and the aerator tines. Lift up on the handlebars and then slowly lower them until the rotating tines enter the soil. • The depth of cut is determined by a number of factors, including: soil conditions, the ground travel speed, the engine speed, and the amount of pressure applied to the handlebars. [. . . ] Lift up on the handlebars and then slowly lower them until the rotating tines enter the soil. • The depth of cut is determined by a number of factors, including: soil conditions, the ground travel speed, the engine speed, and the amount of pressure applied to the handlebars. Be patient while learning to use the aerator attachment – you may have to experiment to find that “just right” combination for your particular lawn and type of terrain. • Allow the machine to move forward while the aerator blades slice into the lawn and soil. Allow enough time for the tines to dig deeply enough. • Aerate the soil by making side-by-side passes (see Figure 4). For more thorough aeration, you may wish to make a second series of passes at a right angle to the first series of passes (see Figure 5). • After aerating the soil, rake up any residue. [. . . ]