Clinkity CLANK in my tiller's chain case....

Boombollie · May 28, 2012

Hi all. I've got a LandPride RTR0550 reverse tine tiller that I'm pulling behind a 4x4 JD855. Frickin love it. It digs anything up and with a GUMPTION. We're talking one pass and DONE.

Problem is that I just tilled about three or four acres this weekend. It was pretty flat, but I was weaving in and out of a bunch of pondi pine an doug fir, and every 20 minutes I'd hit a root, the tiller would dance, and I'd raise the 3pt. No big deal, I've got a great tiller with a slip clutch, Right?

About 7/8th of the way through the job I started hearing clanks and and rattles. At first I figured it was a root so I ignored it. Got down off the tractor and listened for it and lo and behold, it was coming straight outta the case. The thing still runs fine and tills great but I'd still like to get it fixed. Any thoughts?

Sackett2 · May 28, 2012

gonna have to open it and see what is worn. somethings not right and farther operation could up the repair cost

rinconryan · May 28, 2012

I have the same set up and the same noise(I think, from the side cover?). Added some oil to it and went away. Might be worth checking out.

Gary Fowler · May 28, 2012

It is probably just the chain tensioner needs adjusting. Could be a bolt worked loose and about to fall off. Better open her up and take a look. Should be easy adjustment to do. New chains tend to stretch out quiet a bit in the first few hours of operation and then settle down a bit after that.

Boombollie · May 28, 2012

Gary Fowler said:
It is probably just the chain tensioner needs adjusting. Could be a bolt worked loose and about to fall off. Better open her up and take a look. Should be easy adjustment to do. New chains tend to stretch out quiet a bit in the first few hours of operation and then settle down a bit after that.

The manual says that it's an automatic tensioner and no adjustment would ever be needed, so....

If I do take off the cover to check, is there a gasket that needs replaced after that?

Oh, and I bought the tiller used (came with the tractor) last July, even though the tines were pretty cherry. So maybe it was the heaviest it's been used yet after all...

Gary Fowler · May 28, 2012

It not much in there that can go clinkety clank except the chain and chain cogs. I dont think you have choice on opening it up to check. I dont have one but I would think that if would have a gasket on it because I think those chains run in oil at the bottom cavity.
I would think the clanking is going to be obvious when you look inside.
You could likely clean the surface with solvent and apply a small bead of silicone to use as a gasket. Let it dry then put the plate back on.