Manual
Section5: Maintenance
_ efore inspecting,cleaningor servicingthe machine, shutoffengine, wait for all movingparts to come
to a complete stop, disconnectsparkplug wire and movewire away from sparkplug. Remove ignition
key, if soequipped.
Failureto follow these instructionscanresult in seriouspersonalinjuryor propertydamage.
Figure 5-7: Remove oil level check
plug. Gear oil should seep out if
the level is sufficient
3. If the oil level is correct, oil will seep
out of thecheck hole (allow extra time in
cold weather). If it does, the level is fine
and you should replace thecheck plug. If
no oil seepsout, seeAdding or Changing
GearOil.
Checkingthe Tine
AttachmentOil Level
IMPORTANT: Two different gear oil
checking procedures for the tine attach-
ment transmission are described next.
Use the first procedure if the dipstick in
your tine attachment has only a 'Check
Cold' marking. Usethe second procedure
if the dipstick has both cold and hot
markings at the end. First remove the
dipstick from the tine attachment trans-
mission (Figure 5-8) to see which type
dipstick you have. Then replace the
dipstick with markings on dipstick facing
to rear.
Figure 5-8: Checking gear oil level;
markings on dipstick (tine attach.
ment transmission) must face rear.
ForDipsticksWith 'CheckCold"Marking
(Cold means 2 hours has passed since
the tiller was used.)
I. Move the tiller to level ground.
2. Pull the DepthRegulator Lever back,
then push it down all the way (to engage
its top notch).
3. Place asturdy support under the
engineto prevent the tiller from tilting too
far=
4. Now slide three piecesof 2" x 4"
lumber underneaththe drag bar- raising
the drag bar about 4-112"aboveground.
This elevation allows an accurate "cold"
gear oil reading.
5. Wait two hours with tiller elevated
(allow more time if temperature is below
40°F).
6. Loosen and remove transmission
dipstick (Fig.5-8). Wipe it clean with a
rag.
7. Hold dipstick so its markings faceto
rear of tiller. Lower it straight down into
the sump hole to touchthe drive shaft
inside (Fig.5-8). Don't force or try to
thread it back in; an incorrect readingwill
result.
8. Remove dipstick and check oil level. It
should be anywherewithin the cross-
hatched areaor even slightly above the
Max marking. If correct, replace dipstick
and remove the boards used as props.
9. If oil level was low, gear oil must be
added before using the tiller. See Adding
or ChangingGearOil next.
ForDipsticksWithHot/ColdMarkings
1. Move the tiller to level ground.
2. Pull the DepthRegulator Lever back,
then push it down all the way (to engage
its top notch).
3. Place asturdy support under the
engineto prevent the tiller from tilting too
far=
4. Cold reading(preferred method):
(Two hours has passedsince the tiller
was used.) Place a 2" x 4" board (on
edge)under the drag bar- raising the tiller
anddrag bar about 3-I12" aboveground.
Hotreading:(Tiller was operatedfor
more than 30 minutes within the past
hour.) Do not use the wood prop to
elevatethe tiller.
5. FollowSteps 4, 5 and6 given for the
other dipstick type.
6. Removedipstick and check level. It
should bewithin or above the"Cold"
rangemarking if taking a cold reading. If
taking a hot reading, the level should be
within or slightly abovethe "Hot" range.
7. If the level is incorrect, see Adding or
ChangingGearOil.
Adding or Changing Gear Oil
Forpartial fill-ups (just a few ounces or
less), use SAE140, SAE85W-140, or SAE
80W-90 weight gear oil with an API rating
ofGL-4or GL-5. Forfull replacement,
use SAE140 or SAE85W-140 gear oil
with anAPI rating of GL-4only. (At the
factory, SAE85W-140 weight gear oil is
used.)
IMPORTANT: Do not use automatic
transmission fluid or engine oil. They are
too light in weight and will result in trans-
mission damage=
The gear oil does not needto bechanged.
Do so only if you know, or suspect, it is
contaminatedwith dirt, sand or other
foreign particles.
Gearoil is availableat authorized dealers
andmost service stations, power
equipmentcenters, or farm/heavy
equipmentoutlets=
Capacities: Power unit transmission
holds approximately 60 ozs.; Tine Attach-
ment transmission holds approximately
12-112"ozs.
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