5' King Cutter Tiller

[Gregster613]

Hi all,
I recently bought a new 5 foot King Cutter Rotary Tiller. I have it assembled and mostly ready for use; the manual is quite clear "except" for just how much grease one should pump into the Tiller Hub? I've never had a rotary tiller before and am unsure.

It doesn't seem to have any sort of "weep" hole - I don't want to pump in too much and possible blow out a seal - NOR do I NOT want to pump in too little and cause damage by not enough grease!

Perhaps a dumb question, but I am unsure how to handle this. Any advice from a tiller owner out there? The PTO zerks are simple enough, pump in until it oozes out and stop. The hub, however, seems to be a different animal. Advice is appreciated. Thanks, Greg

 

[Jesse masterson]

Don't know about a tiller but bearings on a disk you pump till it comes out, I don't think you can overfill it, I'm sure the bearings on a tiller are similar, but I'm sure someone will give you advice from a tiller owner in time.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am not sure if mine squirted out grease when I first greased it or not. I put about 12 pumps in and stopped. That was last spring and I am about ready to put it to use again this fall. I will again grease it at that time.
I wouldn't worry about greasing till it comes out, just put in an extra amount from a normal bearing hub grease and call it quits till next time. On my lawnmowers I put 6 shots per spindle. I do the same for any other fitting that I cant see the bottom side on. Normally when I grease my back hoe, 2-3 shots will cause grease to come out one side or the other of a bushing so on the left and right swing cylinders which are under the hoe, I hit it with 6 and call it good.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I do seem to recall now that grease came out on the inside of the hub bearing and not on the outside. Look there when greasing.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Can you look at parts manual and see if seals are installed for grease or oil if there set up for grease then grease will go by seal and not push it out. its a matter of which way seal is installed.

 

[Baby Grand]

The seal is on the inside of the tiller, between the spool and the side plate, and covered by a guard. So it's very hard to see, even with the 3pt lifted all the way up & the gate raised. Gary Fowler suggested doing exactly what I did with mine when I got it, seven years ago, and it's still going strong. Just pump a dozen squirts in there, then spin the spool at PTO speed while it's raised to spread the grease around before working it. After that, a few squirts between uses and you should be tilling for a long, long time.

 

[Gregster613]

Okay, Thanks to all who replied, especially Gary Fowler and Baby Grand. What was said sure makes sense; I now feel more at ease about not harming anything. I will try to locate a parts manual also. I only have the operators manual that came with the tiller, it's good but isn't as through as a parts will be. I should be able to download one from the TSC site?
Greg

I realized I have one additional question; the manual shows/states to grease the plastic PTO shaft covers also...there are (2) tiny nubs - does a grease gun "actually" snap onto those tiny nubs?! I always thought they were there only to remind one that the u-joints underneath needed to be greased. Is special lightweight grease used for the plastic covers? I haven't yet tried to pump grease into them, I believe my moly grease is to thick to get into the tiny opening? I ask you seasoned players for a little bit more advice please.
Thanks, Greg

 

[Ed of all trades]

I talked to the service-whatever man at king kuter and he said 4 or 5 pumps each time you use it.

 

[Gregster613]

Hi again,
I need to make a correction. In all the activity and excitement during our TSC's Grand Opening I purchased a 5' tiller; with all the past reviews of King Cutter tillers at TSC, I just assumed - I know - dumb to assume anything, that it was a King Cutter. It is not. It is a Country Pride - 680 Lb, 5' tiller.

I needed to make slight modifications to the lower link pin attachment area to get it to attach easily to my Carter -n - Son's hitch set-up; cut the PTO shaft by 2" on each end, but I powered it up today and it cuts hard clay like it was butter. I'm well pleased thus far. I admit I only made 2 & 1/2 passes in a small area to test it out but it worked smoothly. it's been in the 100's here so is far too dry for any more work but once it's wet again - grass look out! I just wanted to clear up my earlier statement about it being a KC. Greg