New King Kutter Tiller - water-weight liquid in gear box and a couple other questions

[rossn]

I received my King Kutter XB tiller last week, and just finished setting it up. Looking forward to using it!

As I went through and checked the gear boxes for lube level, when I removed the check plug for the side gear box some light fluid, watery consistency, came out first, then the OO grease started to ooze out behind it. Maybe a tablespoon or two of liquid came out, and was easily soaked up by paper towel. I didn't want to run it until I understand this better. Any ideas on this?

Also, how do you know when you've added enough grease to the 'outboard hub'? Does it squeeze out from somewhere?

Lastly, how much grease is typically needed for the pto shaft covers? There are two plastic zerks, and I'm not sure if you just put a squeeze or two in, or if you need to see it come out somewhere.

Paint and sticker job is lovely! When I gently removed off the packing slip envelope that was stuck to the gearbox, the paint came right off with it.

 

[orangeandgreen]

Gearbox: To be on the safe side, I would drain the large gearbox, flush with diesel fuel, then refill with the 00 grease.
Hub: I pumped grease into mine until I felt slight resistance. (it holds a lot of grease, at least from my pistol grip gun)
Shaft covers: Couple pumps of the gun usually does it.
I have a 6' KK tiller and the paint job on mine is about as good as what you described on yours.

 

[rossn]

Thanks, orangeandgreen

I just talked to King Kutter, and they are thinking it is likely some separation of the grease, and recommended not doing anything at this time. Agreed that re-filling it would be the safe thing to do, however having to remove the entire side cover and re-attach the gasket sounds like a pretty big hassle. Apparently the tiller was made the morning it was shipped (which explains why the paint came off with the packing label), so exposure to water wasn't very likely. What I may do is use it for a bit, and let it be out in the elements, then check and if there is more water, know i have to change it. He also said that typically water will be more milky in color.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks, orangeandgreen

I just talked to King Kutter, and they are thinking it is likely some separation of the grease, and recommended not doing anything at this time. Agreed that re-filling it would be the safe thing to do, however having to remove the entire side cover and re-attach the gasket sounds like a pretty big hassle. Apparently the tiller was made the morning it was shipped (which explains why the paint came off with the packing label), so exposure to water wasn't very likely. What I may do is use it for a bit, and let it be out in the elements, then check and if there is more water, know i have to change it. He also said that typically water will be more milky in color.

Nope!
That is NOT the reason the paint came off.
I have 3 King Kutter implements!
They seem to shed paint when you just look at them!
King Kutter apparently does not do any metal prep, or priming.
Just a thick coat of "Cat" yellow, and out the door.
The paint job on all three of my KK implements is TERRIBLE!
The implements though, while not high end, are reasonably decent, and a good value.

 

[rossn]

Haha. Yeah, I had heard this before buying... not that I'm excited about it being as bad as 'advertised'. I mentioned it as a side note when I called previously, and he actually asked me to send a picture and said that shouldn't be happening. In any event, it is what it is. However, mine is Massey red!

 

[npalen]

I'm wondering if the water was condensation.

 

[rossn]

That was one of the options that came up in discussion with KK. I'm not sure how you would prevent that in the long term.

I'm wondering if the water was condensation.

 

[npalen]

I'm thinking that a little condensation in the gearbox won't be a problem long term.