Use a clean lubricating oil (#30 weight motor oil is suitable) and a clean general purpose grease (grease containing a metal lubricant is preferred, if available).
•Remove the wheels, clean the wheel shaft and apply a thin coating of grease to the wheel shaft.
•Grease the back, front and sides of the depth regulator lever.
•Remove the tines and clean the tine shaft. Use a file or sandpaper to gently remove any rust, burrs or rough spots (especially around holes in the shaft). Apply grease to the ends of the shaft before installing the tines.
•Oil the threads on the handlebar height adjustment screws and the handlebar attaching screws.
Transmission Gear Oil
Check the transmission gear oil after every 30 hours of operation or whenever you notice any oil leak. Operating the tiller when the transmission is low on oil can result in severe damage.
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 incorrect oil level reading.
2.With the tiller on level ground, pull the Depth Regulator Lever all the way up.
3.Clean the area around the oil fill plug. See Fig.
Off-Season Storage
When the tiller won’t be used for an extended period, prepare it for storage as follows:
1.Clean the tiller and engine.
2.Do routine tiller lubrication and check for loose parts and hardware.
3.Protect the engine and perform recommended engine maintenance by following the storage instructions found in the Engine Operator’s Manual. Be sure to protect the fuel lines, carburetor and fuel tank from gum deposits by removing fuel or by treating fuel with a fuel stabilizer
(follow the engine manufacturer’s recommendations).
4.Store the tiller in a clean, dry area.
5.Never store the tiller with fuel in the fuel tank in an enclosed area where gas fumes could reach an open flame or spark, or where ignition sources are present (space heaters, hot water heaters, furnaces, etc.).
Oil Fill Plug
Figure
4.Remove the oil fill plug from the transmission housing and look inside the oil fill hole to locate the main drive shaft situated below the hole. See Fig.
5.The gear oil level is correct if the gear oil is approximately halfway up the side of the main drive shaft.
6.If the gear oil level is low, add gear oil as described next. If the gear oil level is okay, securely replace the oil fill plug.
7.When adding gear oil, use Mobil 1® Synthetic 75W 140.
8.While checking frequently to avoid overfilling, slowly add gear oil into the oil fill hole until it reaches the halfway point on the drive shaft.
9.Securely replace the oil fill plug.
16Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments