Tiller Grease or oil for chain drive?

[ray66v]

I bought a tiller in the early 80's that had gear lube in the transmission.

The transmission failed after one year.

The manufacturer nixed the gear lube, and changed over to grease with the new transmission.

It's still going almost 40 years later.

I don't know for sure if the lubricant was the only issue with the first transmission. But, I do know, the grease works just fine.

 

[CobyRupert]

It is less likely to leak and then fail from lack of lube.

 

[rScotty]

It would be best if you could identify the tiller so as to find a proper manual. But lacking that, open the oil cap and look inside. Agree with Gary, if it is a chain then good old simple gear oil would be the right thing. Oil gets in to the pins holding the links together in ways grease will not.

As for how much? Without a fill mark or check hole I would guess half way up the bottom sprocket. Chain will have plenty of opportunity to dip into the oil and splash about. It doesn't have to be submerged, only kept damp. Even if the sprockets are supported by caged ball bearings, splashing oil should keep them happy too.

I agree with that. And half way up the bottom sprocket should be plenty....or even more than plenty. The chain just needs to dip into the oil once in a while to end up coating all the friction surfaces. That way there isn't enough oil in there to leak much out an old shaft seal.

In a lot of old machinery the shaft seals weren't all that good, but they didn't leak much because they kept the fill well below that level.

Now we are into guessing, but with some experience. First off. if I was marking a cap to show a heavy oil that's probably the sort of picture that I'd do.
Guessing on, the shielding piece of metal under the filler cap is probably just to prevent the chain from slinging oil against the cap, or out the top if the cap is off.
What oil to use? I'd guess something like an SAE 75/90 gear oil would be a safe place to start. Since the maker provided a drain, you want something that can be drained so it will carry out any dirt, corrosion, and worn pieces. Plus give you a chance to inspect what drains out.
rScotty

 

[Peter 315]

Here watch this...John Deere Corn Head Grease - YouTube

 

[cboyd10406]

Thanks all! I did some more looking and found it is a dragon product tiller I believe. Hard to read. Model says DX2S 105. Made in 1997. Anybody know anything about this?