Mantis Tiller Maintenance Tips & How-To Instructions

We want to help you keep your Mantis Tiller running at peak performance for many years to come. Here are a few simple maintenance tips to help you.

When ordering parts for your Mantis 2-cycle tiller, you may need to locate the SV number of your engine. The SV number is located between the gas tank & the carburetor, behind the gas line, on a black and silver tab on the silver engine housing.

It will consist of the letters “SV,” a number and another letter.
Examples: SV4A, SV4B1E.

View Deluxe 2-Cycle video. Or scroll down to view other 2-cycle step-by-step instructions.

Here’s how to check or replace the Air Filter.

Step 1. Remove the Wing Nut to take off the air filter cover.

Step 2. Remove the air filter and air filter cover.

Step 3. Remove the air filter from the air filter cover.

Step 4. Replace the air filter into the air filter cover; be sure the filter fits snugly inside the lip.

Step 5. Replace the air filter cover and the wing nut.

Here’s how to check or replace the Fuel Strainer.

The fuel strainer allows a steady flow of clean fuel to go to the carburetor by straining out any sediment that has entered the fuel tank. It is located inside the fuel tank and can be accessed by removing the fuel tank lid and pulling out the fuel line through the fill hole.

The strainer should be changed whenever it is hard to the touch or creases to allow fuel to reach the carburetor.

Stale fuel will shorten the life of the fuel strainer!

Here’s how to check or replace the Spark Plug.

NGK and Champion spark plugs are the only recommended spark plugs to be utilized in Echo engines. The use of the correct type, brand, and heat range of a spark plug is of paramount importance in today’s emission certified engines. Never uses spark plug manufacturers cross-reference charts. Cross-reference charts are approximations and may recommend spark plugs that are as much as 1-2 heat ranges out of the recommended heat range.

The plug will depend upon the SV number of your engine; the gap will be the same for each engine – .024-.028.

The SV number of your engine is located between the gas tank and the carburetor, behind the gas line, on a black and silver tab on the silver engine housing. It will consist of the letters “SV,” a number and another letter. Sample: SV4A, SV4B1E.

SV5C1BPM8YCJ6Y

Here’s how to locate and check the grease level of your Tiller transmission.

Back of tiller when standing upright

Close up of back of transmission

Pull out Retaining Pin & remove tilling tine for safety

Side view of worm gear cover / Side view of Transmission with tine removed

View of back of Transmission, with worm gear cover on

View of back of Transmission, with worm gear cover off

Gear Case, No Grease

Gear Case: Illustrating the correct amount of grease

In accordance with current EPA Regulations and CARB requirements, limiter caps have been installed on the high and low screws of the carburetor. Removal of these caps by anyone other than an authorized Mantis dealer will void your warranty.

Replacement carburetor, rebuild kits and gasket/diaphragm kits are available. Please contact us directly.

To order parts, you will need the SV# of the engine.

All cooling fins must be kept clear in order for the engine to operate efficiently.

The Muffler Screen is also known as the Spark Arrestor. It is a small screen layered within the muffler system in accordance with current EPA requirements. This screen is in place to catch all burned off carbon deposits.

By virtue of the parts function, it can get clogged with the same carbon deposits it is created to catch. Once clogged, the screen must be cleaned or replaced for efficient operation of the engine.

Do not clean Spark Arrestor with anything flammable!

If your engine bogs down under a full load, your muffler screen (spark arrestor) may be clogged and not allowing the engine to breathe properly.

Additionally, if you find the starter rope hard to pull, it could be because the muffler screen (spark arrestor) is clogged.

Directions for cleaning the muffler screen for your specific engine can be found in your owner’s manual. Here are some basic instructions:

• Lift engine off of the transmission by loosening the brass colored screw located at the base
  of the clutch case.
• Remove the spark plug.
• Remove the red cylinder cover.
• Remove the muffler cap.
• The muffler screen (spark arrestor) will be layered beneath the muffler cap
• Clean or replace the muffler screen (spark arrestor) with carburetor cleaner, using a soft brushNote: If the screen remains plugged after attempts at cleaning it, it must be replaced
• Reassemble the muffler, the cylinder cover, and replace the engine onto the transmission