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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 1, 4, 6
Lubricate tiller 4
Service foam pre-cleaner air filter 7
Service paper air filter 7
Check gear oil level in transmission 1, 5
Check tines for wear 5
Check air pressure in tires 5
Service spark plug 7
NOTES
1 –
After first 2 hours of break-in operation.
2 – Before each use.
3 – Every 5 operating hours.
4 – Every 10 operating hours.
5 – Every 30 operating hours.
6 – Change more frequently in dusty or dirty
conditions.
7 – See Engine Owner’s Manual for service
recommendations.
8 – Whichever time interval occurs first.
Tiller Lubrication
Proper lubrication of the tiller is an essen-
tial part of your maintenance program. Af-
ter every 10 operating hours, oil or grease
the lubrication points shown in Figures 5-
1 and 5-2 and described below.
Use general purpose lubricating oil (#30
weight motor oil is suitable) and a general
purpose grease (metal lubricant is pre-
ferred, if available).
• Remove wheels and clean wheel shaft (A,
Figure 5-1). Apply a thin coating of
grease to shaft before reinstalling
wheels.
• Grease back, front and sides of depth
regulator lever (B, Figure 5-1).
• Remove tines and clean tine shafts (C,
Figure 5-1). Inspect for rust, rough
spots or burrs (especially around holes).
File or sand smooth and coat ends of
shaft with grease.
• Oil the threads on the handlebar height
adjustment handle (D, Figure 5-1).
• Oil the outer casings of the engine throt-
tle cable and the wheel gear cable (E,
Figure 5-1). Allow oil to soak in and then
wipe off any excess.
• Oil the various pivot points (F, Figure 5-
2) on the shifting mechanism, the han-
dlebar, and the idler arms (do not allow
oil on the belts or pulleys).
Check Tire Air Pressure
Check the air pressure in both tires. Deflate
or inflate both tires evenly to between 15
and 20 PSI (pounds per square inch). Be
sure that both tires have equal air pressure
or the unit will pull to one side.
Check For Oil Leaks
Before each use, check your tiller for signs
of an oil leak—usually a dirty, oily accumu-
lation either on the unit or on the floor
where it has been parked.
A little seepage around a cover or oil seal
is usually not a cause for alarm. However,
if the oil drips overnight, then immediate
attention is needed—ignoring a leak can
result in severe transmission damage.
If a cover leaks, try tightening any loose
screws or bolts. If the fasteners 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 the unit for loose or missing hard-
ware after every 10 operating hours. Loose
or missing hardware can lead to equip-
ment failure, poor performance, or oil
leaks.
Be sure to check the three end cap mount-
ing screws located at the rear of the trans-
mission (Figure 5-3). Lift the tine flap to
service those screws.
Transmission Gear Oil Service
Check the transmission gear oil level after
every 30 hours of operation or whenever
you notice any oil leak. Operating the tiller
when the transmission is low on oil can re-
sult in severe damage.
Figure 5-1
Figure 5-3
Figure 5-2
SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE
D
E
E
B
B
A
F
EndCap