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A. To Check Transmission
1. Check the gear oil level when the trans-
mission is cool. Gear oil expands in warm
operating temperatures and will result in
an incorrect oil level reading.
2. To check the gear oil level (and to add
oil, if necessary), refer to STEP 5: Check
Gear Oil Level in Transmission in Section 2
of this manual.
B. To Drain and Refill the Transmission:
The transmission gear oil does not need to
be changed unless it has been contaminat-
ed with dirt, sand or metal particles.
1. Prop up the left side of the unit securely.
Remove the left-side wheel by removing
the wheel mounting hardware.
2. Unscrew the plastic gear oil fill plug
from the top of the transmission
3. Place a clean pan below the transmis-
sion drain plug (Figure 5-4) and remove
the drain plug. The oil will start flowing out
of the drain hole (it may flow slowly, espe-
cially in cold temperatures).
4. Remove the transmission gear oil level
check plug that is located a few inches
above the left-side wheel shaft (N, Figure
2-11).
5. When the oil stops flowing, tilt the
transmission forward to drain oil from the
rear of the transmission.
6. After draining the oil, clean the threads
of the drain plug, apply a non-hardening,
removable gasket sealant to the threads,
and securely reinstall the drain plug.
7. Use a clean funnel to slowly add SAE
140 or SAE 85W-140 weight gear oil (with
an API rating of GL-4 only) to the trans-
mission. The transmission holds approxi-
mately 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
transmission. Stop adding gear oil when it
begins to flow from the oil level check hole
on the side of the
ion.
8. Securely reinstall the oil level check
plug.
9. Securely reinstall the gear oil fill plug on
top of the transmission.
10. Reinstall the wheel and remove the
prop.
Engine Oil Service
Check the motor oil level before starting
the engine each day and after each 5 hours
of continuous operation. Running the en-
gine when the oil level is low will quickly
ruin the engine.
It is recommended that you change the
motor oil after every 10 hours of operation
and even sooner when operating in ex-
tremely dirty or dusty conditions.
A. To Check the Motor Oil Level:
1. Move the tiller to a level area and stop
the engine.
2. Level the engine by moving the Depth
Regulator Lever into the second notch
from the top.
3. Clean the area around the oil dipstick or
oil fill tube (whichever applies) to prevent
dirt from falling into the crankcase.
4. On engines with an oil fill tube, remove
the filler cap and add oil (if required) until
it reaches the top of the tube. Reinstall the
filler cap.
5. On engines with a dipstick, remove it,
wipe it clean, and reinstall it finger-tight.
Remove the dipstick again and check the
reading. Add oil (if required) to bring the
level to the FULL mark. Do not overfill.
B. To Change the Motor Oil:
Change the motor oil as instructed in the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
Air Cleaner Service
The engine air cleaner filters dirt and dust
out of the air before it enters the carbure-
tor. Operating the engine with a dirty,
clogged air filter can cause poor perfor-
mance and damage to the engine. Never
operate the engine without the air cleaner
installed. Inspect and service the air clean-
er more often if operating in very dusty or
dirty conditions.
Service the air cleaner as instructed in the
separate Engine Owner’s Manual.
Spark Plug Service
Inspect and clean or replace the spark plug
after every 100 operating hours or annual-
ly. Clean the plug and set the gap as de-
scribed in the separate Engine Owner’s
Manual.
In some areas, local law requires using re-
sistor spark plugs to suppress ignition sig-
nals. If the engine was originally equipped
with a resistor spark plug, use the same
type for replacement.
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 instruc-
tions in the separate Engine Owner’s Man-
ual.
Engine Cleaning
The engine must be kept clean to assure
smooth operation and to prevent damage
from overheating. Refer to the separate
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.
Figure 5-4: Remove drain plug to drain trans-
mission gear oil (also remove oil fill plug and
oil level check plug).
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. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property
damage.