Bolens 12180 Bolo Tines, Tine Inspection, Removing a Single Tine, Removing a Tine Assembly

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.

B. To Drain the Transmission Gear Oil:

DANGER

Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are explosive. Follow these safety practices to prevent personal injury or property damage from fire or explosion.

•Allow the engine and muffler to cool for at least two minutes before draining the tiller’s gasoline tank.

•Do not allow open flames, sparks, matches or smoking in the area.

•Wipe away spills and push tiller away from spilled fuel.

•Use only an approved fuel container and store it safely out of the reach of children.

•Do not store gasoline in an area where its vapors could reach an open flame or spark, or where ignition sources are present (such as hot water and space heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves, electric motors, etc.)

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

1.Drain gasoline from the fuel tank or run the engine until the fuel tank is empty. See “DANGER” statement above.

2.Drain the oil from the engine.

3.Remove the four screws (B, Figure 5-2) and washers from the transmission cover and remove the cover and gasket.

4.Remove the left-side wheel.

5.Tilt the left-side wheel shaft into a drain pan and allow the gear oil to drain through the top of the transmission.

6.After draining the oil, reinstall the wheel, install a new gasket cover (do not reuse old gasket) and reinstall the trans- mission cover.

7.Refill the transmission using GL-4 transmission gear oil (SAE 85W-140 or SAE 140).

8.Refill the engine with motor oil and replenish the fuel tank with gasoline.

B

A B

Figure 5-2: Remove oil fill plug (A) to check gear oil level and to add gear oil. Remove four cover screws (B) to drain gear oil.

BOLO TINES

The bolo tines will wear with use and they should be inspected at the beginning of each tilling season and after every 30 operating hours. The tines can be replaced individually or as a complete set. See the separate Parts Catalog for tine identification and ordering information.

A. Tine Inspection:

With use, the tines will become shorter, narrower and pointed. Badly worn tines will result in a loss of tilling depth and reduced effectiveness when chopping up and turning under organic matter.

B. Removing a Single Tine:

1.With the engine shut off and the spark plug wire disconnected, remove the two screws (A, Figure 5-3) and locknuts (B) that attach a single tine to the tine holder. If needed, use penetrating oil to help free the nuts.

2.When installing a single tine, be sure to position it so that its cutting edge will enter the soil first as the tiller moves forward.

C. Removing a Tine Assembly:

1.A tine assembly consists of eight tines mounted on a tine holder.

2.If removing both tine assemblies, mark them “left” and “right” before removal. Remove the screw (C, Figure 5-3) and locknut (D) that secure the tine assembly to the tine shaft. If necessary, use a rubber mallet to tap the tine assembly outward off the shaft.

3.Before reinstalling the tine assembly, inspect the tine shaft for rust, rough spots or burrs and file or sand as needed. Apply a thin coat of grease to the shaft.

4.Install each tine assembly so that the cutting edge of the tines will enter the soil first when the tiller moves forward. Secure the tine assembly to the tine shaft using the screw and locknut previously removed.

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