17
5
Maintenance
WARNING
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
PROCEDURE NOTES
Check motor oil level 2, 3
Clean engine 2, 7
Check drive belt tension 1, 4
Check nuts and bolts 1, 4
Change motor oil 4, 6, 9
Lubricate tiller 4
Service engine air cleaner system 7
Check gear oil level in transmission 1, 5
Check tines for wear 5
Check air pressure in tires
(if unit has pneumatic tires)
5
Service spark plug 7
NOTES
1 - Check 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 - Change more frequently in dusty conditions.
7 - See Engine Owner’s Manual for service
recommendations.
8 - Whichever time interval occurs first.
9 - Change after first 2 hours of break-in
TILLER LUBRICATION
After every 10 operating hours, oil or grease the lubrica-
tion points shown in Figure 5-1 and described below.
Use clean lubricating oil (#30 weight motor oil is
suitable) and clean general purpose grease (grease
containing a metal lubricant is preferred, if available).
• Remove the wheels, clean the wheel shaft (A, Fig.
5-1) and apply a thin coating of grease to the wheel
shaft.
• Grease the back, front and sides of the depth regula-
tor lever (B, Fig. 5-1).
• Remove the tines and clean the tine shaft (C, Fig.
5-1). Use a file or sandpaper to gently remove any
rust, burrs or rough spots (especially around holes in
shaft). Apply grease to ends of shaft before installing
tines.
• Oil the threads on the handlebar height adjustment
screws and the handlebar attaching screws (D, Fig.
5-1).
CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS
Before each use, check the tiller for signs of an oil leak
— usually a dirty, oily accumulation either on the unit or
on the floor.
A little seepage around a cover or an oil seal is usually
not a cause for alarm. However, if the oil drips overnight,
then immediate attention is needed. Ignoring an oil leak
can result in severe transmission damage!
If a cover is leaking, check for loose screws. If the screws
are tight, a new gasket or oil seal may be required.
If the leak is from around a shaft and oil seal, the oil seal
probably needs to be replaced. See your authorized
dealer or contact the factory for service or advice.
IMPORTANT: Never operate the tiller if the transmission
is low on oil. Check the oil level after every 30 hours of
operation and whenever there is any oil leakage.
CHECK HARDWARE
Check for loose or missing hardware after every 10
operating hours and tighten or replace (as needed)
before reusing tiller
Be sure to check the screws underneath the tiller hood
that secure the transmission cover and the Depth Regula-
tor Lever to the transmission.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
(Models with pneumatic tires)
Check the air pressure in both tires. The air pressure
should be between 15 PSI and 20 PSI (pounds per
square inch).
Keep both tires equally inflated to help prevent machine
from pulling to one side.
�
�
��
Figure 5-1
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.
Failure to follow these
instructions can result
in serious personal
injury or property
damage.
See your engine
manual packaged with
your unit for detailed
instructions pertaining
to starting the engine.