Tiller Need Help w/New Caroni Tiller

[NCDaveD]

Last weekend I made the 2 1/2 hour drive to the Greenville AgriSupply and picked up a new Caroni 48" FL1200 tiller. I saw the baggie on the PTO and figured that was the manual. Much to my surprise after getting home, I find that it is indeed the instructions....for the PTO only. I contacted AgriSupply and they sent out the "manual", which I recieved yesterday. It was an exploded diagram, with absolutely no instructions on how to service, maintaiin or setup the tiller. I contacted AgriSupply and they said "This is all we have". Several emails to Caroni have been unanswered.

I scoured the internet and came up with very little info on this unit, so my thought is to just bring it back and look at spending another $200 to get a different tiller with a decent manual. I can't even get the PTO shaft off the tiller to cut it to the correct length.

Before I give up on this unit, does anyone have any info they could share with me on this little tiller (in particular, how to get the PTO shaft off and how to check and get the correct chain tension)?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

NCDaveD

 

[GreenWannabe]

I looked at Caroni's website, and found there were no manuals there either. Even their technical information request is to get catalog information. And Agri Supply is listed as their only dealer/distributor in the US, under the name Direct Distributors. Their website goes to the home page for Agri Supply. If they can't help you, then help is just probably going to be difficult to come by.

Since many tillers sold in this country are actually sourced from Italy, I would download manuals on similar models from companies like Woods, Bush Hog, Land Pride, Rhino, etc., and try to get a consensus from their manuals to go by. Chain tension should be pretty generic, and PTO removal should be covered in their PTO instructions.

Good luck.

 

[Spindifferent]

Since many tillers sold in this country are actually sourced from Italy, I would download manuals on similar models from companies like Woods, Bush Hog, Land Pride, Rhino, etc., and try to get a consensus from their manuals to go by. Chain tension should be pretty generic, and PTO removal should be covered in their PTO instructions.

Good advice. Woods and Land Pride are made here in the US, but the basic operation and maintenance of any PTO tiller would be very similar from brand to brand.

- Spindifferent

 

[NCDaveD]

Thanks for the advice. After yet another email to Caroni, they finally responded with their manual for this unit. Interestingly enough, they have ONE manual for blade mowers, flail mowers and rotary cultivators. VERY rudimenatary instructions, but at least they describe how to do the chain adjustment. I'll search around for the other info I need such as fluid types and application recomendations.

NCDaveD

 

[leonz]

Thanks for the advice. After yet another email to Caroni, they finally responded with their manual for this unit. Interestingly enough, they have ONE manual for blade mowers, flail mowers and rotary cultivators. VERY rudimenatary instructions, but at least they describe how to do the chain adjustment. I'll search around for the other info I need such as fluid types and application recomendations.

NCDaveD

The gear oil used is the same as is used in the flailmowers etc. which is a 90 weight gear oil.

The reason the parts manuals and operator manuals are the same is because the units are simular in design
with the flailmowers using a one to one right angle gear box and a different final drive method using roller chain for the tillers and V belts for the flail mowers.

Pleas be carefull and do not overtighten the roller chain as it will stretch slightly when it is hot and shrink when it cools after use.

If you are breaking old ground or sod you need to be mindfull of your forward speed and tilling depth where you could stall it and break the drive chain. Did you purchase a slip clutch PTO shaft with this tiller?


I have the four page flyer for the Caroni tototillers, please send me youre-mail as it is to large to upload here.

 

[Botabill]

I have a caroni tiller and the shaft just pulls apart. Then you cut as much off both shafts as you want to shorten it. On mine it was an easy fix.

 

[NCDaveD]

Thanks Botabill! I was hoping to actually remove the PTO shaft before cutting it, but I haven't had any luck getting to the circlip that holds the retaining pin in the PTO shaft. My springclip pliers aren't stout enough to spread the clip, and I can't figure out how to spread that ends of the clip to get it to release from the pin shaft. It doesn't help I have a 1 1/2" wide by 3" long window in the PTO guard to work through.

 

[BukitCase]

My Caroni flail came with a pto shaft that has spring-loaded pins both ends, not circlips - the mower end had this big "collar of shame" in addition to the guard on the shaft itself - took it off in frustration.

Can you snap a pic of yours showing what you're talking about? Steve

 

[NCDaveD]

Can you snap a pic of yours showing what you're talking about? Steve

Here ya go. My first go at picture posting, so bear with me. Once I figure out how to get that shield off, I don't believe I'll be replacing it. Yeh, I know it's there for safety, but frankly, no one is going to be near it when it's turning.

NCDaveD

 

[BukitCase]

The pic on the right looks exactly like my Caroni flail - I would get REAL familiar with the tractor end of your pto shaft - it should have a spring-loaded "button" that you push, this releases the inner pin that locks into the groove that is partway along the splines of the pto stub on EITHER end - once you're used to doing the tractor end (with your eyes closed, by braille) then you can deflect both the smaller, shaft-mounted plastic guard AND the larger, gear-box mounted plastic guard, enough (hopefully) to get your hand in and release the (I hope) spring-loaded button on the implement end.

Check the yellow tubing guarding the shaft itself - it should say "AMA (stuff) CARDAN, followed by some groups of numbers. If so, and you're lucky, this means your shaft is the same make as mine.

If all the above works out, you will then need (IIRC) a 10mm socket and maybe a 6 or 10 inch extension to remove 4 bolts holding the large "salad bowl" and a metal stiffener ring. I just set the "salad bowl" aside and replaced the bolts and ring.

Now the shaft is MUCH easier to R&R, the air doesn't get so "blue" anymore, and IMO if I have a freaky enough accident that the toplink tower doesn't keep me from getting any body parts mangled, then it's probably time to croak anyway. Besides, it's not like I'm gonna let the grandkids ride on the flail - I kinda LIKE the little buggers... Steve

 

[NCDaveD]

YES!!!! That was the trick! Thank you so much.

It appears Caroni does use the same shafts (makes sense to me) and that pin was indeed spring loaded. Funny I couldn't find that anywhere in the instructions. Once I worked my fat fingers behind the clutch and pushed hard, the pin moved and I was able to pull the PTO shaft off w/o difficulty.

Steve, your help is much appreciated!

NCDaveD

 

[BukitCase]

No prob, I see no reason YOU should need to go thru the pain I did - far as I know, you haven't run over my favorite dog or anything :=)

On the "slide over" part of the project, I looked at their brochure on your tiller, it looks like the toplink "tower" is same as my flail, where it has two choices to bolt on depending on your preference? It's more obvious how you shift the two draw pins.

It doesn't sound like you're contemplating a quick hitch setup yet (maybe never) but I'll warn you now - my 73" flail is sized for Category 1, but for some reason Caroni thinks the height of the toplink should match the specs for Category 2. I've had to change several things on that mower to get it to conform to quick hitch specs, but the nearest thing to it that's available locally is over TWICE the price.

Guess you pay 'em now or later, as usual... Steve

 

[NCDaveD]

Yep, the tower has two positions it can be bolted into, and I believe I'm going to go ahead and center it up. The PTO shaft will be off center by about 2", but from everything I've read, that shouldn't be a problem.

No quick hitch for me as I have Pat's system on my little Yanmar, and it is working well.

Thanks again Steve. If it wasn't for you, I'd STILL be trying to get that circlip off :laughing:

David D.

 

[BukitCase]

Glad I could help - I agree with centering, and you'd get more offset raising and lowering than that 2", doubt you'll even notice it.

I have a 6 foot Priefert tiller for my Allis 160 - when I bought the tractor used, the previous owner had more "vertically challenged" acreage than I do - so I had to swap rear tires side to side to cut down track width. Now, perfect coverage both tires. Lovin' it... Steve

 

[Burtonbr]

Good looking tiller, I bet your going to love it.

Hey your not very far from me at all, I'm in Sanford, can I borrow your tiller when your done with it? LOL

 

[NCDaveD]

Hmmm...you've got an FEL? LOL! Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement

David D.

 

[mra400ex]

Thanks for the advice. After yet another email to Caroni, they finally responded with their manual for this unit. Interestingly enough, they have ONE manual for blade mowers, flail mowers and rotary cultivators. VERY rudimenatary instructions, but at least they describe how to do the chain adjustment. I'll search around for the other info I need such as fluid types and application recomendations.

NCDaveD

Hello NCDaveD, I purchased a FM1500 tiller used recently and have the same issue you had. No Manual. Could you scan and share, or perhaps give a post on the chain adjustment they show.
Thanks,
MRA400ex

 

[adventure bob]

I have found that the manufacturers who are used to dealing with ag or commercial customers have horrible manuals. I think they assume you're going to do whatever your going to do based on your experience with that type of equipment. Theres a newer class of customer like nearly everyone on this forum that has higher expectations for documentation.

 

[mra400ex]

Adventure Bob,
I agree. The tiller is in good shape. The tines are held on with 2 bolts. I went over it and several tine bolts were loose with a few missing one of the bolts. Once a bolt is gone the tine will fall over against the mounting and not stick out like it should. Got all the tine bolts fixed. I backed the long chain adjuster out, leaving the lock nut where it was at and topped off with 90W oil. Ran bolt back in and to go past where the locking nut was it only went slightly further before I had resistance. I backed off slightly from there and tightened the lock nut. The tiller really does the job. Like you, I just want the manual for the future. I was raised on a farm and worked as a fleet mechanic over the years and also on anything with wheels or tracks. I feel like my chain adjustment is probably close to what the manual would say, but hope to get one for it. I emailed Caroni so I will see what I come up with.

 

[NCDaveD]

Hello NCDaveD, I purchased a FM1500 tiller used recently and have the same issue you had. No Manual. Could you scan and share, or perhaps give a post on the chain adjustment they show.
Thanks,
MRA400ex

It took awhile for the message to make it's way through my spam filters, so I apologize for the delay. Found my instructions (such as they are) and scanned them in. Had to convert them to jpg to crop them and try to keep them legible. Only had limited success. You can find them here in my photobucket: Caroni Tiller Instructions by NCDaveD | Photobucket

It's been a couple of years since I used my tiller and will probably have it up for sale soon.

Anybody need a 3 time used tiller stored in a garage?

Good luck with the instructions. I had to separate 2 of the pages to try and keep them somewhat legible.

NCDaveD