Bolens QT16 rototiller connection to hydraulic lift

docrocky · Jun 16, 2014

With the help of oologahan (TBN member) I was able to obtain the lift arm that connects to the tiller lift arm and the hydraulic lift of the tractor. It is a hunk of solid steel. I have purchased a BOLENS TILLER ATTACHMENT manual and have obtained the QT SERVICE MANUAL but no where is there instruction as to how to mount the "LIFT KIT" arm as the manual calls it. I tried the 3 positions that the "ATTACHMENT LIFT" allows but I am not certain where or how to connect the connector rod to the hydraulic lift mechamism. Some pictures are attached. Oh, I have purchased a QT16 owners manual, but I am not too sure it will have all the information I need.

Pictures 1 & 2: rear attachment of lift kit to tiller lift arm.

Picture 3 lift kit arm under tractor chassis.

Picture 4 yoke of hydraulic lift.

Picture 5 yoke of hydraulic lift in down position. ( I am concerned about how toward the engine is the yoke. Also my concers is that the lift kit arm is near in contact with some of the tranny hydraulic lines.

Need help before I do irreparable damage.

DocRocky[

mcsbad · Aug 16, 2014

your pictures look just like my qt 16. should be ok just move move it slowly and watch it closely

docrocky · Aug 17, 2014

MCSBAD: Thank you for the reply. My problem began when one of the universal joint yokes of the drive shaft from the engine to the hydraulic tranny pump tore apart, since I could not find a replacement nor could I make contact with SamsBolens in Indiana, I had a replacement done by Fleet Pride using the smallest Spicer universal joint available. Every thing (repaired drive shaft) hooked up nicely and I was able to locate a lift arm to manipulate the rototiller up and down. But as I did, a tremendous raddel or knocking occurred with certain positions of the Lift Attachment. I also noted that the rototiller set at no more than a few inches depth to cultivate newly emerging weed seedlings would barely allow the tractor to move forward. I had to stop forward motion every few inches to allow the tilling or it killed the engine.

Well to make the story short, I finally determined that one cylinder was not firing and eventually found that one rod had broken. The cylinder is ok but the journal of the crank shaft is pretty scored and now I am awaiting a friend's suggestion as to whether not the regrind the shaft or chance just replacing the destroyed push rod and piston. A few people were surprised that the engine could still operate on one cylinder with the other not functioning. I am assuming that the tremendous rattle was due to the broken rod and all the pieces.
Interesting stuff isn't it especially when you (meaning me) are an amateur.

mcsbad · Aug 18, 2014

DOCROCKY: sry to hear about your engine. my engine was replaced with a Linamar lx 790 right before I bought it. so that's a good thing. after market engine maby cheaper than fixing old one about the tranny fluid mine has atf fluid in it that's what was in it when I got it. I will have to change out the same u joint soon so maby some of your threads u wrote earlier will will help me like spraying rust buster on the splines now will maby loosen it up for when I do have to change it. I also have the snow plow for mine but I have to unhook the tiller box to hook on the blade. I don't have any manuals so im kind of in the dark on that. I think I might be able to chain up the tiller so I don't have to drop to use the blade. if u have any info on that please let me know. I also seen on your picture that your missing the 2 pieces of u shaped strap iron that locks the two bottom arms of the tiller box on the pins im a new member but as soon as I learn how to ill post a picture of them thank you for the info on the u joint

docrocky · Aug 18, 2014

mscbad: A close friend of mine who is an expert engine repair man says that the u-joints on the Bolens are made by "epoxy injection" and are thus disposable. My difficulty came when we tried to loosen the shaft from the front of the tranny splines. I beat and beat to pry it loose as well as over drilled the set screw hole to make sure it was not binding in any way. I was very hesitant to apply heat (torch with propane and Oxygen) and tried a few different shields but then I packed the tranny area with sand heated the shaft and had to use a narrow fork and it finally came loose so I could have the replacement done. I am not sure how "Sams bolens" would have done it but I could not make contact with them. don't know if they are back in operation since there was some talk of legal problem?

I just picked up a second QT16 from ebay with a hugh snow blower. the seller also had the owners manuals which I got and I'll be glad to make a copy for you when I get a chance. Send me a land address if you will. I'll be glad to share what i have with you.