17
Belt Installation and Alignment of Pulleys
1. Whenever a new belt is installed, be sure to examine the grooves of the pulleys for wear. A wide groove of a
worn engine pulley will cause slippage of the belt when engaged. Replace the pulley if worn.
2. The pulleys must be aligned by sliding the engine pulley in or out so that the belt will travel in a straight line.
3. Be sure to install the belt inside the two pins of the belt release bracket. If improperly installed on the outside of
the belt release pins, the belt will be quickly damaged, and/or jump off pulleys.
4. Start the engine and test for proper operation.
5. Reinstall the belt cover.
6. Check belt tension after initial 20 to 30 minutes of operation with a new belt. Be sure your tiller operates as per
the directions in this section.
NOTE:
The purpose of the belt release bracket is to force the belt out of the engine pulley groove, allowing it to slip
when the clutch lever is not engaged.
Service Notes
The tiller is equipped with 2 separate drive units; the tine drive transmission and the wheel drive transmission. Both
transmissions are factory lubricated and sealed. No additional lubrication is necessary or recommended.
Proper maintenance includes periodic inspection and lubrication by the operator, using the correct lubricants. Periodically
include the drive wheel bearings.
Service the engine according to the engine operating and maintenance instructions furnished with the tiller. Special
attention should be given to the proper installation and service of the engine air filter assembly.
Regularly check tines for wear. Tine bolt holes should be checked for wear or elongation. Tine assemblies should be
replaced when lead corner on cutting edge has become rounded, therefore reducing tilling efficiency.
Keep the machine, attachments, and accessories in safe working condition.
Check engine mounting bolts, and other bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure the equipment is in safe
working condition.
Never store the machine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building where ignition sources are present, such as hot water
and space heaters, clothes dryers, and the like. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
Always refer to the engine operating instructions for important details if the tiller is to be stored for an extended period.
Inspection of the Tine Drive Transmission
When it is necessary to make internal repairs to the transmission, it is advisable to take your tiller to an authorized MERRY
TILLER dealer, especially if there are signs of excessive wear. Following are some suggestions that will help to determine the
amount of wear.
Before removing the transmission case from the tiller, turn the pulley by hand and observe whether or not the tine shaft also
turns. If it does not, or if the pulley turns freely, check to be certain the square key securing the pulley to the drive shaft is
not missing or damaged. This could cause the pulley to slip on the shaft.
Turn the pulley in either direction until all the slack is removed from the chains and sprockets within the transmission. Make
a mark on the tine shaft and the outer edge of the large pulley. Then, while observing both the mark on the pulley and the
mark on the tine shaft, turn the pulley in the opposite direction until all internal slack is removed and the mark on the tine
shaft just begins to move. The mark on the pulley should not travel a distance of more than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters)
before the mark on the tine shaft begins to move.
Any travel of the mark in excess of this indicates excessive wear inside the case of either one or both chains, sprockets,
shafts, or bearings. The case should be removed and disassembled for internal inspection.
Tine Drive Replacement Instructions
1.
Remove belt guard, rear belt and 4” pulley from drive transmission. Retain key from drive shaft, discard drive
shaft spacer if present.
2. Remove handle bar assembly and right & left handle bar brackets
3. Remove the tine shield dirt deflector and the remaining bolt securing the tine shield cover assembly. Remove
tine shield cover and right and left tines.
4. Unbolt & remove hitch assembly and loosen the two bolts that secure the tine engage idler and the tine engage
and shift levers through the frame rails.
5. Spread frame rails and slide out transmission. To spread frame rails a bolt cut to the width between the frame
rails with a nut threaded on can be used. Force bolt between rails at a point just forward of the transmission
and back nut off until rails spread. Remove lower trans bracket from transmission.
6. Attach lower trans bracket and reinstall transmission. It is important that the center bolt on the transmission
must be replaced by a shunt so that that the internal gears and sprockets do not move during installation. The
shunt should be used to push the center bolt out, after the trans is in place the bolt can be used to push out the
shunt and secure the transmission. To make shunt cut a piece of 3/8” rod stock approx 2” long and round ends.
7. Re-attach all remaining components. Follow instructions in manual for proper belt adjustment.
