Maintenance
Before inspecting, cleaning or
servicingthe machine, shut off engine,
wait for all moving partsto come to a
complete stop, disconnect spark plug
wire and movewire away from spark
plug. Remove ignition key on electric
startmodels.
Failure to follow these instructions can
resultin seriouspersonal injuryor prop-
ertydamage.

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE

PROCEDURE ROTES
Checkmotor oil level 2,3
Cleanengine 2,7
Checkdrive belt tension 1,4
Checknuts and bolts 1,4
Changemotor oil 1,4, 6
Lubricatetiller 4
Servicefoam pro-cleaner airfilter 7
(ifso equipped)
Servicepaper air filter(if so equipped) 7
Checkgear oil levelintransmission 1,5
Checktines for wear 5
Checkair pressureintires 5
Servicespark plug 7
NOTES
1-After first 2 hours of break-in operation.
2-Beforeeachuse.
3-Every5 operating hours,
4-Every10 operating hours,
5-Every30 operating hours,
6-More frequently in dustyordirty conditions,
7-SeeEngineOwner'sManualforservice
recommendations.
8-Whichevertimeintervaloccursfirst,

TILLERLUBRICATION

C
Figure5-1: Lubricationpoints.
Properlubrication ofthe tiller isanessen-
tial part of your maintenanceprogram.
After every 10 operating hours, oil or
greasethe lubrication points shown in
Figure5-1 asdescribed below.
Usea good quality lubricating oil(#30
weight engine oil is suitable) and a good
quality generalpurpose grease(grease
that hasa metallubricant is preferred,if
available).
•Removewheels,clean wheel shaft (A,
Figure5-1) andapplythin coatingof
greaseto shaft.
•Greaseback,front andsidesof depth
regulatorlever (B, Figure 5-1).
• Removetines, clean tine shafts (C,
Figure5-1) andinspectfor rust,rough
spotsor burrs(especially around
holes).File or sandsmoothand coat
endsof shaft with grease.
•Oilthe threads on the handlebarheight
adjustment screw (D, Figure5-1).
•Oilthe threads on the handlebarattach-
ing screws (E,Figure 5-1).

CHECKHARDWARE

At leastevery 10 operating hours,check
theunit for looseor missinghardware
(screws, bolts, nuts, hairpin cotters, etc.).
Looseor missing hardware can leadto
equipmentfailure, poor performanceor
oil leaks.
Besure to check the three end cap
mounting screws located at the rear of the
transmission (Figure 5-2). Lift the tine
flapto servicethose screws.
Figure5-2

CHECKTIREPRESSURE

Checktheair pressurein both tires.
Deflateor inflateboth tires evenly to 15-
to-20 PSI (pounds per square inch). Be
surethat both tireshavethe same air
pressureor the unit willtend topull to
oneside.