Adjustments

Forward Drive Belt

It is important to maintain the correct tension on the forward drive belt. A loose belt will cause the tines and wheels to slow down — or stop completely — even though the engine is running at full speed. A belt that is too tight can result in unintentional tine movement when the clutch bail is in the Neutral (released) position.

•Check the belt tension after the first two hours of break-in operation and after every 10 operating hours.

•At the end of each tilling season, check the belt for cracks, cuts or frayed edges and replace it as soon as possible.

Check Forward Belt Tension (refer to Fig. 6-3):

6

Cable Spring

5

4

 

Adjuster Spring

3

2

 

Hex Nut

1

 

 

Forward

 

Drive Cable

Forward

Clutch Bail

Figure 6-3

1.Stop engine, wait for all parts to stop moving and disconnect spark plug wire.

2.With the Forward Clutch Bail in an open (released) position, measure and note the overall length of the cable spring by measuring from the outermost coil to the outermost coil.

3.Squeeze the Forward Clutch Bail against the handlebar and re-measure the length of the coils. The belt tension is correct if this second measurement is between 1⁄16” -to- 3⁄16” longer than the first measurement.

4.If the spring is too short (less than 1⁄16”), the tension is too loose. If the spring is too long (more than 3⁄16”), the tension is too tight.

5.To adjust the length of the spring:

a.Release the Forward Clutch Bail.

b.Unthread the hex nut halfway up the adjustment screw.

c.Unhook the top of the spring from the Forward Clutch Bail.

d.Use pliers to prevent the adjuster from turning and turn the slotted screw located inside the spring clockwise (viewed from operator’s position) to increase tension on the spring. Turn the screw counterclockwise to decrease tension. Once adjusted, reattach the spring to the Forward Clutch Bail.

e.Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to re-measure the length of the spring. When the second measurement is between 1⁄16” -to- 3⁄16” longer than the first measurement, retighten the hex nut against the top of the adjuster.

Reverse Drive Belt

Check the belt tension after the first two hours of break-in operation and after every 10 operating hours.

To Check Reverse Belt Tension (Refer to Fig. 6-4):

Inner

 

Jam Nut

Cable Adjuster

 

Z-Fitting

Outer

Jam Nut

Figure 6-4

1.Stop the engine, wait for all parts to stop moving and disconnect the spark plug wire.

2.Remove the screw in the plastic belt cover and slide the belt cover — which is attached to forward clutch cable

— out of the way.

3.Have an assistant pull the Reverse Clutch Control knob all the way out and hold it in that position. Measure the length of the cable wire between the end of the threaded cable adjuster and the end of the Z-fitting to which the cable wire is attached.

4.The belt tension is ideal if the cable wire length measures between 1⁄8” to 1⁄4”. If it is less than 1⁄8” (and if there is no reverse action when the tiller is running), then make the following adjustments

NOTE: If the length is more than 1⁄4”, no adjustment is needed — as long as the reverse action functions properly.

5.Release the Reverse Clutch Control knob and then unthread the inner jam nut one to two turns. Pull the threaded cable adjuster to the left until the inner jam nut touches the bracket.

18Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments