Tiller Trouble

Joe MD · Jun 14, 2008

I am trying to figure out what is wrong with this one tiller. You push the longest lever down to till. This lever lifts the entire engine body upwards so that (I think) tension is applied to the belt and then drive can occur.

The lever will not stay down. The only way I can operate it is by maintaining downward pressure on the lever. This makes tilling much like riding in a rodeo.

There is a spring behind the drive belt. Maybe it needs some adjusting? Also, there is a funny lever mechanism at the bottom of the main lever.

Any help would be appreciated.

<IMG src="https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/iphotos/i5686.jpg">

<IMG src="https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/iphotos/i5685.jpg">

<IMG src="https://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/iphotos/i5684.jpg">

Tominnebr · Jun 14, 2008

If I can explain it right, on the big lever you push down, look at the spring and lever on the end closest to the tiller. Bottom of lever has a roller on it. The piece that the roller rides on is adjustable up and down. If it is to far up, from belts getting worn it won"t hold the belts tight. Loosen the bolt holding that piece and tap it down some so when the belts are tight, the roller is over the angle on the adjusted piece. It the belts are too worn it may not work. You can email me if you want more info.

Joe MD · Jun 14, 2008

That makes perfect sense. In addition, maybe the spring in the bottom most picture needs replacing as well.

From the looks of things, it may actually be that the piece needs to go up so the roller can snap in place and stay put.

onefarmer · Jun 14, 2008

I had the same trouble with my Troy last year. It's all in the adjustment of that block and spring tension.

Leland · Jun 14, 2008

if the handle keeps popping up you probley have the belts to tight ,try lifting the block up a little bit at a time until the handle stays locked down

Leland · Jun 14, 2008

oh the funny lever is what engages the pto to drive the tines or what ever attachment you have hooked to the engine .

Spook · Jun 14, 2008

That's a Troy - Built tiller, you need to adjust the block, so that the roller is held down farther to put more tension on the belt. When you run out of adjustment, you need a new belt. I have had mine for 20 years, adjusted it once right after I got it, and again this year. Probably next time, I need a belt? it's not hard to adjust, just loosen 1 bolt, and slide the block down, tighten the bolt. It will take some trial and error to get it right, but it is maybe a 20 minute job. A long screwdriver and a small hammer are handy to tap the block down. You shouldn't have to move it far, 1/8 of an inch or so.

Dan-IA · Jun 15, 2008

Looks to me like you've already lost one belt on that tiller. Maybe should think about replacing both of them.

Did I see electric start on there?

El Toro · Jun 16, 2008

That tiller only has one belt. The earlier Troy's in the early 1970's had 2 belts. They should've stayed with that setup. They now use 2 different size pulleys to get what they call a 4 speed tiller. That's a very heavy load for a 1/2" belt. Hal

Leland · Jun 16, 2008

But over tightening the belts will also cause the handle to pop up ,but the proper way to tighten the drive belt is to loosen the bolt on the block push the handle down until the belt is tight then while still holding handle tight retighten bolt and wa la it should work if not replace belt .

Tiller Trouble

Joe MD

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Tominnebr

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Joe MD

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onefarmer

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Leland

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Leland

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Spook

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Dan-IA

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El Toro

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Leland

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