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Section 5: Maintenance 17
2. Unscrew plastic gear oil fill plug from
top of transmission.
3. Place a clean pan below the transmis-
sion drain plug (see Figure 5-3) and then
remove the drain plug. Oil will flow from
the drain hole (it may flow slowly, espe-
cially in cold temperatures).
4. Remove transmission gear oil level
check plug located a few inches above left-
side wheel shaft.
5. When oil stops flowing, tilt transmis-
sion forward to drain oil from rear of
transmission.
6. After draining oil, clean threads of drain
plug, apply non-hardening, removable
gasket sealant to threads, and securely
reinstall drain plug.
7. Use a clean funnel to slowly add SAE
140 or SAE 85W-140 weight gear oil (API
rating of GL-4 only) to the transmission.
The transmission holds approximately 3-
1/4 pints (52-54 ounces). Tilt the tiller
slightly backwards to make sure the gear
oil reaches the rear (tine) end of the trans-
mission. Stop adding gear oil when it
begins to flow from the oil level check hole
on the side of transmission.
8. Securely reinstall oil level check plug.
9. Securely reinstall gear oil fill plug on
top of transmission.
10. Reinstall wheel and remove prop.
ENGINE OIL SERVICE
Check motor oil level before starting
engine each day and after each 5 hours of
continuous operation. Running engine
when oil level is low will quickly ruin
engine.
It is recommended that you change motor
oil after every 10 hours of operation and
even sooner when operating in extremely
dirty or dusty conditions.
A. To Check Motor Oil Level:
1. Move tiller to level area and stop
engine.
2. Level engine by putting Depth Regula-
tor Lever into second notch from top.
3. Clean area around oil dipstick or oil fill
tube (whichever applies) to prevent dirt
from falling into crankcase.
4. On engines with an oil fill tube, remove
filler cap and add oil (if required) until it
reaches top of tube. Reinstall filler cap.
5. On engines with a dipstick, remove,
wipe clean, and reinstall finger-tight.
Remove dipstick again and check reading.
Add oil (if required) to FULL mark. Do not
overfill. Refer to Engine Owner’s Manual
for complete details.
B. To Change Motor Oil:
Change motor oil as instructed in separate
Engine Owner’s Manual.
AIR CLEANER SERVICE
The engine air cleaner filters dirt and dust
out of the air before the air enters the car-
buretor. Operating the engine with a dirty,
clogged air filter can cause poor perfor-
mance and damage the engine. Never
operate the engine without an air cleaner
installed. Inspect and service the air
cleaner more often if operating in very
dusty or dirty conditions.
Service the air cleaner as instructed in the
Engine Owner’s Manual.
SPARK PLUG SERVICE
Inspect and clean or replace the spark
plug after every 100 operating hours or
annually. Clean the plug and set the gap
as described in Engine Owner’s Manual.
SPARK ARRESTER SCREEN SERVICE
If the engine muffler is equipped with a
spark arrester screen, remove and clean it
according to the time intervals and
instructions in the separate Engine
Owner’s Manual.
ENGINE CLEANING
The engine must be kept clean to assure
smooth operation and to prevent damage
from overheating. Refer to the Engine
Owner’s Manual for specific repair and
cleaning instructions. All inspections and
services must be done with the engine
shut off and cool to the touch.
CARBURETOR/GOVERNOR CONTROL
ADJUSTMENTS
The carburetor was adjusted at the factory
for best operating speed. Refer to the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual for any
adjustment information or see your autho-
rized engine service dealer.
The governor controls the maximum safe
operating speed and protects the engine
and all moving parts from damage caused
by overspeeding. Do not tamper with the
engine governor settings. Seek an autho-
rized service dealer if a problem exists.
THROTTLE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT
If the engine does not respond to various
throttle lever settings, refer to the separate
Engine Owner’s Manual for service infor-
mation or contact your local authorized
engine service dealer.
WHEEL GEAR CABLE ADJUSTMENT
When the Wheel Gear Lever is in DISEN-
GAGE, the wheels will roll freely (free-
wheel). The wheels should not roll freely
when the lever is in ENGAGE. If the
Figure 5-3: Remove drain plug to drain
transmission gear oil (also remove oil fill
plug and oil level check plug).
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to come to
a complete stop, remove ignition key on electric start models, 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.
WARNING
Operators shall not tamper with the
engine governor settings; the governor
controls the maximum safe operating
speed to protect the engine and all
moving parts from damage caused by
overspeed. Authorized service shall be
sought if a problem exists.
WARNING