Tiller Need Help w/New Caroni Tiller

[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