GARDEN WAY 12194, Owner'S Manual

22

TRANSMISSION GEAR OIL SERVICE

Check the transmission gear oil level after
every 30 hours of operation or whenever
you notice any oil leak.  Operating the
tiller when the transmission is low on oil
can result in severe damage.

A. To Check Transmission Gear Oil
Level:

1. Check the gear oil level when the trans-
mission is cool.  Gear oil will expand in
warm operating temperatures and this
expansion will provide an incorrect oil
level reading.

2. To check the gear oil level (and to add
oil, if necessary), refer to “STEP 5: Check
Gear Oil Level in Transmission” in Section
2 of this manual.  

B. To Drain and Refill the Transmission:

The transmission gear oil does not need
to be changed unless it has been contam-
inated with dirt, sand or metal particles. 

1. Prop up the left side of the unit so that
it will be securely supported when the left
side wheel is removed.  Remove the left
side wheel by removing the wheel mount-
ing hardware.

2. Unscrew the plastic gear oil fill plug
from the top of the transmission.

3. Place a clean pan below the transmis-
sion drain plug (see Figure 5-4) and
remove the drain plug.  The oil will start
flowing out of the drain hole (it may flow
slowly, especially in cold temperatures).

4. Remove the transmission gear oil level
check plug that is located a few inches
above the left side wheel shaft.

5. When the oil stops flowing, tilt the
transmission forward to drain oil from the
rear of the transmission.

6. After draining the oil, clean the threads
of the drain plug, apply a non-hardening,
removable gasket sealant to the threads,
and securely reinstall the drain plug.

7. Using a clean funnel, slowly add SAE
140 or SAE 85W-140 weight gear oil
(with an API rating of GL-4 only) to the
transmission.  The transmission holds
approximately 3-1/4 pints (52-54
ounces).  Tilt the tiller slightly backwards
to make sure the gear oil reaches the rear
(tine) end of the transmission. Stop
adding gear oil when it begins to flow
from the oil level check hole on the side
of the transmission.

8. Securely reinstall the oil level check
plug.

9. Securely reinstall the gear oil fill plug
on top of the transmission.

10. Remove the prop and reinstall the
wheel.

ENGINE OIL SERVICE

Check the engine oil level before starting
the engine each day and check it after each
5 hours of continuous operation. Running
the engine when it is low on oil will quickly
ruin the engine.

It is recommended that you change the
motor oil after every 10 hours of operation
and even sooner when operating in
extremely dirty or dusty conditions.

A. To Check the Engine Oil Level:

1. Move the tiller to a level area and shut
off the engine.

2. Level the engine by putting the Depth
Regulator Lever in the second notch from
the top.

3. Clean the area around the oil dipstick or
oil fill tube to prevent dirt from falling into
the crankcase.  

4. On engines with an oil fill tube, remove
the filler cap, add oil (if required) until it
reaches the top of the tube and reinstall the
filler cap. 

5. On engines with a dipstick, remove it,
wipe it clean, and reinstall it finger-tight.
Remove the dipstick and check the reading.
Add oil (if required) to bring the level to the
FULL mark.  Do not overfill. 

B. To Change the Engine Oil:

Change the engine oil as instructed in the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual.

AIR CLEANER SERVICE

The engine air cleaner filters dirt and dust
out of the air before it enters the carbure-
tor.  Operating the engine with a dirty,
clogged air filter can cause poor perfor-
mance and damage to the engine.  Never
operate the engine without the air cleaner
installed.  Inspect and service the air
cleaner more often if operating in very
dusty or dirty conditions.

Service the air cleaner as instructed in the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual.

Figure 5-4:  Remove drain plug to drain
transmission gear oil (also remove oil fill
plug and oil level check plug).

Section 5:  Maintenance 

WARNING  

Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the unit, shut off engine, wait for all

parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark
plug.  Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or 
property damage.