Rototillers:

The typical garden tiller comes in two varieties, those that have the digging tines in front of the wheels and those that have tines behind the wheels. Those that have the tines in front are usually driven by a rubber belt, or v-belt, running between the engine on top and the transmission on the bottom. There may be more than one belt - one for forward and one for reverse - and it is very important that they go back on the exact same way they came off. The belt is normally covered with protective metal cover.

The tillers with the tines behind the wheels normally have the transmission driven by gears rather than by a v-belt. This transmission is fully enclosed.

With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, remove the cover over the v-belt, if the tiller is a front tine machine. Once the cover is off, carefully inspect the v-belt for cracks, fraying and wear. You do not need to take the belt(s) off in order to inspect them. If a belt is badly cracked and/or frayed, it should be replaced. Check the owner’s manual that came with tiller to determine how to remove and replace the belt. Different manufacturers use different methods for this. If you do not have a manual, the machines usually have a tensioning mechanism that must be loosened in order to remove the belt. Take the old belt to your favorite hardware, or parts supplier, to make sure you get the correct replacement.

Once replaced, set the tension on the v-belt with the same mechanism. The belt should slip when the machine is in neutral and be pulled taught when the tines are engaged. If you install a new v-belt, you will likely have to readjust the tension a little as the belt wears in and stretches.

Now to the transmission. Some require grease and some require oil. If there is a grease nipple on the transmission, give it a shot of all-purpose lithium grease in the spring and then another about every twenty-five hours of operating time, or when you change the motor oil. If there is no grease nipple, look for an oil plug. Usually it has a square shaped head and is located on the side, near the top of the transmission. If a little oil comes out when you remove the plug, put it back in - the oil level is good. If no oil comes out, add some gear oil (not motor oil unless the manufacturer recommends that in the manual) until a little oil runs out of the hole, then put the plug back in. Finally, check for any oil or grease leaks around where the tine shafts come out of the transmission. If it is leaking, the machine will need to go to a mechanic to have the seals replaced. Removing weeds, and anything else that gets tangled in there during use, helps to prolong the life of the seals greatly. You should clean this area of machine after every use. Transmission damage will occur if there is a loss of lubrication, and the transmission is often the most expensive part of the tiller.

See my previous article entitled “Routine Lawnmower Maintenance Saves Money” for details on how to service the engine on your tiller. The steps pertaining to the lawnmower engine also apply to the tiller engine.