18
S
ection
5 — S
ervice
Adding Gear Oil to the Tine Attachment
Transmission
1.
Select the right Depth Regulator Lever setting:
a.
If filling an empty transmission, raise
the Depth Regulator Lever so tines are
on the ground.
b.
If topping off the gear oil, move Depth
Regulator Lever down to engage its
top notch.
2.
Remove the dipstick from the tine attachment.
See Figure 5-6.
3.
Slowly add gear oil in the dipstick hole. Add
1⁄2-ounce at a time to avoid overfilling. It takes
about 12-1⁄2 ounces.
4.
Take dipstick readings frequently. Stop when
oil reaches “Cold” range marking on dipstick.
Replace dipstick securely.
Draining and Filling the Tine Attachment
Transmission
1.
The tine attachment transmission is not
equipped with an oil drain plug. To drain
just a small amount of gear oil, remove the
dipstick and tilt the attachment forward, first
uncoupling it from the Power Unit.
2.
For complete drainage, remove the left-side
tine assembly (See Tine Replacement in the
Service section.), then remove just one of the
lower screws from the tiller housing cover. See
Figure 5-9. To speed drainage, remove the tine
attachment dipstick to vent transmission.
Figure 5-9
NOTE:
If you find a plastic washer on the cover
screw you removed, discard the washer. There
is no need to install a replacement washer.
3.
Once all the gear oil has drained, reinstall the
housing cover screw securely (first coat its
threads with non-hardening gasket sealant).
4.
Be certain to refill the transmission with the
correct amount of gear oil before operating
the tiller again.
Forward Interlock System
The wiring circuit for the Forward Interlock Safety
System is designed to ground out the engine’s
ignition system.
There are three switches in the circuit which, when
open, let the engine run. One switch is on the
neutral plunger tab of the cast iron motor mount.
This switch is open whenever the Wheels/Tines/PTO
Drive Lever is in NEUTRAL or REVERSE positions. The
other two switches are located inside the handlebars,
directly above the two Forward Interlock Levers. The
switches are wired so when squeezed (open) the
engine will run. There is a fourth switch located in
the wiring harness connector on the top, right side of
the transmission cover. It warns you if the connection
is not mated by not letting the engine run while the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever is in FORWARD.
1.
A broken or disconnected wire could let the
engine run without you having to press one of
the Forward Interlock Levers.
2.
A bare wire touching the tiller or engine metal
could ground out the engine’s ignition.
3.
A switch that has failed allows the engine
to run. Or it may prevent the engine from
running.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication of the tiller’s mechanical parts is
an essential part of good maintenance. Lubrication
should be done after every ten (10) hours of
operation.
Use ordinary motor oil (#30 weight or lighter) where
oil is specified. Use a quality grease with a metal
lubricant where grease is recommended (regular
grease is acceptable). Do not over lubricate. If there is
a build-up of dirt, remove the build-up and re-apply
oil or grease.
NOTE:
Do not allow oil or grease to contact the
pulleys, drive belt or reverse disc. This can cause the
belt or disc to slip on the pulleys.
Lubricate the tiller as follows:
1.
Oil the wheel shaft between the wheel hubs
and the transmission housing. See Figure 5-10.
Wheel Shaft
Wheel Speed Lever
Wheels/Tines/
PTO Drive
Lever
Throttle
Cable
Casing
Engine
Mounting
Bars
Grease Fitting
Depth
Regulator
Lever
Belt Adjustment
Block
Handlebar
Height
Adjustment
Lever
Figure 5-10
2.
Oil all pivoting and connecting points on the
Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever and the Wheel
Speed Lever. See Figure 5-10.
3.
Grease the face of the belt adjustment block.
See Figure 5-10.
4.
Oil the Depth Regulator Lever, including the
spring in the mounting bracket. See Figure
5-10.
5.
Oil the full length of the throttle cable casing.
Oil threads on Handlebar Height Adjustment
Lever. See Figure 5-10.
6.
Grease the left- and right-side engine
mounting bars at the top, middle and bottom.
See Figure 5-10.
7.
Grease the zerk grease fitting located on
the pivot point at the end of the Wheel
Speed Lever. See Figure 5-10. If the Wheel
Speed Lever has a grease fitting on the pivot
assembly, apply 2-to-3 strokes of multipurpose
grease at beginning and end of tilling season.
8.
Keep the PTO access area well-greased. See
Figure 5-11. If the Tines/PTO Clutch Lever
becomes hard to move, squirt some oil into
its access hole, and work it back and forth to
disperse the oil.
PTO Access Area
Figure 5-11
Adjustments
Drive Belt
On a new tiller (or if a new belt is installed), the belt
tension will probably need to be adjusted after the
first two (2) hours of operation. Thereafter, check the
belt tension every ten (10) operating hours.
Maintaining the right tension is important to good
tiller performance and long belt life. If too loose, the
belt will slip on the pulleys, and be unable to deliver
full power to the wheels and tines. A loose belt will
also wear prematurely.
While checking the belt tension, also inspect
the belt for cuts, cracks, deterioration, etc. Don’t
continue using a belt that isn’t in good shape. You’re
sacrificing tiller performance by doing so.
Tips on keeping the drive belt in top condition
include:
•
Always put the Wheels/Tines/PTO Drive Lever
in NEUTRAL when the tiller is not in use.
•
Keep the tension adjusted correctly.
•
Don’t “speed shift” when moving the Wheels/
Tines/PTO Drive Lever between FORWARD and
REVERSE.
How to Measure the Belt Tension
1.
Before taking a measurement, be sure the
linkages and pivot points on the Wheels/
Tines/PTO Drive Lever are clean and
lubricated. If there is any binding, you won’t
get true measurements. Also, you’ll need the
belt adjustment tool you received with your
new tiller. See Figure 5-12.
7.9
4 m
m
5⁄16”
1⁄4”
6.35 mm
Belt Adjustment
Tool
Figure 5-12
