Section5: Maintenance
_ efore inspecting,cleaningor servicingthe machine, shutoffengine, wait for all movingparts tocome
to a complete stop, disconnectsparkplug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition
key, ifso equipped.
Failureto follow these instructionscanresult in seriouspersonalinjuryor propertydamage.
Drive Belt Maintenance
MeasuringandAdjusting
DriveBeltTension
On a newtiller (or if a new belt is
installed),the belt tension will probably
needto be adjusted after thefirst two (2)
hours of operation. Thereafter, checkbelt
tension everyten (10) operating hours.
Maintaining the right tension is important
to good tiller performanceand long belt
life. If too loose, the beltwill slip on the
pulleys,and be unableto deliverfull
powerto the wheels and tines. A loose
beltwill alsowear prematurely.
While checking belttension,also inspect
the belt for cuts, cracks, deterioration,
etc. Don't continue using a belt that isn't
in good shape. You're sacrificing tiller
performanceby doing so.
Tips on keepingthe drive belt in top
condition include:
• Alwaysput the Wheels/Tines/PTODrive
Leverin NEUTRALwhen thetilleris not in
use,
• Keeptensionadjusted correctly.
• Don't "speedshift" when moving the
Wheels/Tines/PTODriveLever between
FORWARDand REVERSE.
HowtoMeasure Belt Tension
1. Beforetaking a measurement, besure
the linkages and pivot points on the
Wheels/Tines/PTODriveLever are clean
and lubricated. If there isany binding,
you won't get true measurements. Also,
you'll needthe belt adjustment toolyou
receivedwith your new tiller (Figure
5-11).
2. Move the Wheels/Tines/PTODrive
Leverfully down to the FORWARD
position. Theclutch roller at thebottom
of the levershould be positioned under-
neaththe beltadjustment block (Figure
5-12). Don't letthe clutch roller move
during thenext few steps. If it moves,
you'll get a false belttension reading.
3. The belttension is correct if thefront
of theclutch roller is 1/4"-to-5/16" away
from thefaceof the upright bracket that
holds theadjustment block in place
(Figure5-12). To measurethis distance:
a_
Without moving the clutch roller, try
inserting the 1/4"-thick, slotted end
of the beltadjustment tool in
betweenthe roller and the upright
bracket. (The flat edgeof the tool
must be facing the roller.) Referto
Figure5-13.
b. If only the slotted portion of thetool
will fit, the belttension is correct.
c. If theslotted part of the tool will not
fit in, the belt is too loose.
d. If the full thickness(5/16") of the
tool easilyfits in, the belt is too
tight.
Figure 5-11: Use this belt adjust*
ment tool to measure and adjust
drive belt tension.
Figure 5-12: Shift into FORWARD
and measure distance between
roller and upright bracket using the
belt adjustment tool.
4. If the belt tension is correct, move the
Wheels/Fines/PTODrive Leverback to
NEUTRAL.
Figure 5-13: Insert slotted end of
belt adjustment tool between roller
and bracket, with the flat side of the
slotted end facing the roller.
How toAdjustBelt Tension
1. As described in thefollowing steps,
drive belt tensionisadjusted by moving
the adjustment block up or down.
Moving it down will tighten the belt;
moving it up loosens the belt.
HINT: The distance the block moves
approximately equals the distance the
roller moves.
In most cases,the clutch roller will not
havebeenvery far out of position, so the
adjustment block will only needto be
moved slightly (up or down)=
2. Move the Wheels/Tines/PTODrive
Leverto NEUTRALposition. The clutch
roller will come to rest anywhereon the
faceof the belt adjustment block,
depending upon drive belt length and
current belt tension adjustment.
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