Bolens 12226 Maintenance Schedule, Tiller Lubrication, Check Hardware, Check Tire Pressure

16

Section

5

Maintenance

WARNING

Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition key on electric start models.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or prop- erty damage.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

PROCEDURE	NOTES
Check motor oil level	2, 3
Clean engine	2, 7
Check clutch belt tension	1, 4
Check nuts and screws	1, 4
Change motor oil	1, 4, 6
Lubricate tiller	4
Service foam pre-cleaner air filter	7
(if so equipped)
Service paper air filter (if so equipped)	7
Check gear oil level in transmission	1, 5
Check tines for wear	5
Check air pressure in tires	5
Service spark plug	7

NOTES

1 - After first 2 hours of break-in operation.

2 - Before each use.

3 - Every 5 operating hours.

4 - Every 10 operating hours.

5 - Every 30 operating hours.

6 - More frequently in dusty or dirty conditions.

7 - See Engine Owner’s Manual for service recommendations.

8 - Whichever time interval occurs first.

TILLER LUBRICATION

Proper lubrication of the tiller is an essen- tial part of your maintenance program. After every 10 operating hours, oil or grease the lubrication points shown in Figure 5-1, as described below.

Use general purpose lubricating oil (#30 weight motor oil is suitable) and a general purpose grease (grease that has a metal lubricant is preferred, if available).

•Remove wheels and clean wheel shaft (A, Figure 5-1). Apply a thin coating of grease to shaft before reinstalling wheels.

DB

E

AC

Figure 5-1: Tine shield cut away for clarity.

•Grease back, front and sides of Depth Regulator Lever (B, Figure 5-1).

•Remove tines and clean tine shafts (C, Figure 5-1). Inspect tines for rust, rough spots or burrs (especially around holes). File or sand smooth and coat ends of shaft with grease.

•Oil threads on handlebar height adjust- ment flange screw (D, Figure 5-1).

•Oil threads on handlebar attaching screws (E, Figure 5-1).

CHECK HARDWARE

Check unit for loose/missing hardware after every 10 operating hours. Loose or missing hardware can lead to equipment failure, poor performance, or oil leaks.

Be sure to check the three end cap mount- ing screws located at the rear of the trans- mission (Figure 5-2). Lift the tine flap to service those screws.

Figure 5-2

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

Check air pressure in both tires. Deflate or inflate both tires evenly to 15-to-20 PSI (pounds per square inch). Be sure that both tires have same air pressure or unit will pull to one side.

CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS

Before each use, check tiller for signs of oil leakage—usually a dirty, oily accumu- lation either on unit or on floor where it has been parked.

A little seepage around a cover or oil seal is usually not cause for alarm. However, if oil drips overnight, then immediate atten- tion is needed—ignoring a leak can result in severe transmission damage.

If a cover leaks, try tightening any loose screws or bolts. If fasteners are tight, a new gasket or oil seal may be needed. If leakage occurs around a shaft and oil seal, the oil seal probably needs replacement. See an authorized dealer or contact the factory for service or advice.

IMPORTANT: Never operate tiller if trans- mission is low on oil. Check oil level after every 30 hours of operation and whenever there is any oil leakage.

TRANSMISSION GEAR OIL SERVICE

Gear Oil Specifications

For small top-offs: Use SAE 140, SAE 85W-140, or SAE 80W-90 gear oil with an API rating of either GL-4 or GL-5.

For full replacement: Use SAE 140 or SAE 85W-140 gear oil with API rating of GL-4 (do not use GL-5).Check transmission gear oil level after every 30 hours of oper- ation or whenever an oil leak appears. Operating the tiller when transmission is low on oil can result in severe damage.

A. To Check Transmission Gear Oil Level:

1.Check gear oil level when transmission is cool. Gear oil expands when warm and will result in an incorrect oil level reading.

2.To check gear oil level (and to add oil, if necessary), see Section 2, STEP 4: Check Gear Oil Level in Transmission. Also see B. To Drain and Refill Transmission in this section.

B. To Drain and Refill the Transmission:

The transmission gear oil does not need changing unless it has been contaminated with dirt, sand or metal particles.

1.Prop up left side of unit so that it is securely supported. Remove left-side wheel by removing wheel mounting hardware.