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 property damage.
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 | 5 |
(if unit has pneumatic tires) |
|
Service spark plug | 7 |
1 - Check after first 2 hours of
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
TILLER LUBRICATION
After every 10 operating hours, oil or grease the lubrication points shown in Figure
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.
•Grease the back, front and sides of the depth regulator lever (B, Fig.
•Remove the tines and clean the tine shaft (C, Fig.
•Oil the threads on the handlebar height adjustment screws and the handlebar attaching screws (D, Fig.
AC
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 af- ter 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 transmis- sion cover and the Depth Regulator 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.
TRANSMISSION
GEAR OIL SERVICE
Check the transmission gear oil level after every 30 hours of operation or whenever you notice any oil leak. Oper- ating the tiller when the transmission is low on oil can result in severe damage.
Figure
CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS
Before each use, check the tiller for signs of an oil leak — usually a dirty, oily accumu- lation 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. How- ever, if the oil drips overnight, then imme- diate attention is needed. Ignoring an oil leak can result in severe transmission damage!
A. To Check the Transmission Gear Oil Level:
1.Check the gear oil level when the transmission is cool. Gear oil will expand in warm operating temperatures and this expansion will provide an incor- rect oil level reading.
2.With the tiller on level ground, pull the Depth Regulator Lever all the way up.
3.Remove the oil fill plug (A, Fig.
17
