LP0550 tiller gear box noise>?

displacedPA · Feb 26, 2012

Well i know its the end of February and most of you are far from planting but in NC the growing season has already started for some. Being from PA its weird to me to be tilling a garden in early march. In preparation for the early growing season I brought the tiller up into the shop to find the following.

I started greasing and wiping down the tiller when I noticed that there is a intermittent clicking noise coming from the gear case. I can produce this sound while I'm turning the shaft by hand and the tiller is on chocks. I checked the gear case oil and found it to be 1/2 inch below the fill hole.
The book states should be right at the bottom of the fill hole.
I went ahead and did the clutch slipping procedure and tilled a pass to check things out. The tiller ran fine but I never remember having that clicking noise last time I did a PM on the thing.
The dealer had said he had setup the tiller and that the clutches etc. were already ran in. However I'm wondering if that ever really happened.

I used the tiller last summer at a friends property for about 8 hours straight starting and stopping frequently over the course of the day. I'm really afraid there was damage done and not sure what to do next? I'm asking you TBN'ers for help on what you would do next?

I have KTC insurance I know it said that it covers implements ect. would they cover such things? I really try and take care of my things and feel as though I didn't do anything wrong here.

Ill see if I can run out to the shed tonight and grab a video of the sound I'm talking about.

KennyV · Feb 26, 2012

The sound you are hearing 'could' be coming from the input Or output shaft... Outside of the gear box... check those places First...

If it's In the gear box... it could be a bearing Or a tooth...
If you remove the cover, you can see the teeth, but not the bearings... But you will be able to find small pieces at the bottom of the gear box.

KennyV

displacedPA · Feb 27, 2012

I did check the input and output shafts. Nothing our of the ordinary. Think ill take the cover off the gear case tonight to inspect the teeth. pictures to come as well...

Baby Grand · Feb 27, 2012

Do you hear the clicking if you turn the tiller teeth/spool with the PTO shaft disconnected from tractor? If yes, how many clicks per revolution of the tiller spool? Wondering if this is a normal sound - simply balls in the bearing dropping into place as they come around the race. Is this a gear drive or chain drive?

displacedPA · Feb 27, 2012

baby grand I think that you maybe on to something. Yesterday I noticed the noise but that was before i greased and ran everything for a bit. Tonight went checked on it and noticed very little noise there is some kind of click once per revolution. From what you are saying that sound normal. the other thought I had was maybe I had the pto at a weird angle while turning the shaft..

Baby Grand · Feb 28, 2012

Yes - when I get too much angle on the PTO shaft it starts making a distinct noise. That may be your problem. Hope it's something simple, cheap and harmless. If the noise persists, first chance I had, I'd pop the side cover off and stick my nose in the drive system, just for peace of mind. Ounce of prevention ...