Tiller making terrible racket

lazerorca · May 5, 2016

Hi everyone. I just this tiller used a couple a months ago. It's an old craftsman 5hp rear tune tiller with a new motor. It has had its problems. I got both of the wheels unseized finally. Got a new belt. Actually as I was shooting this video, y'all will witness its death (hopefully temporary) haha. It is stuck in till now. Can't get it back in neutral.

Last time I used it it started making some racket that progressively got worse. We unseized the wheels to take the cover off and look at the belt and pulleys. The belt seems to already be stretched out from the few days I have used it. I suspect there is something up with the gear box. I only paid 150 for the tiller and it had a new motor. The local small engine guy is 70 an hour, so I'd like to fix it myself if I could be pointed in the right direction.

Thanks in advance. I look forward to getting my tiller going again one day hahaha

Tiller making terrible racket - YouTube

davesl708 · May 5, 2016

Hi. Welcome.

Have you checked the fluid in the gearbox?
Sounds like there maybe some broken teeth or the key sheared on the shaft.
Why were the wheels seized? It may have been ran out of gear oil.

lazerorca · May 5, 2016

davesl708 said:
Hi. Welcome.

Have you checked the fluid in the gearbox?
Sounds like there maybe some broken teeth or the key sheared on the shaft.
Why were the wheels seized? It may have been ran out of gear oil.

I haven't checked the fluid in the gearbox.
I'm going to take it apart tomorrow possibly to see what is going on.
The wheels were seized onto the shaft. we got them loose with a wheel puller yesterday so we could get to the cover for the belt.

Steave · May 5, 2016

Take the belt off and see if you can turn the tines by hand using the pulley. Maybe you can detect where to look. The way it sounds I don't think you could hurt it by taking it apart if you determine if its inside the gearbox. Check what daves1708 said first.

lazerorca · May 5, 2016

Steave said:
Take the belt off and see if you can turn the tines by hand using the pulley. Maybe you can detect where to look. The way it sounds I don't think you could hurt it by taking it apart if you determine if its inside the gearbox. Check what daves1708 said first.

thanks for the reply. The tines are turning freely.

davesl708 · May 5, 2016

Is it making a sound when you move the tines by hand or can you feel grinding or roughness.

lazerorca · May 5, 2016

davesl708 said:
Is it making a sound when you move the tines by hand or can you feel grinding or roughness.

Yes it appears to be... Tomorrow it is going to be sunny out, so I'll be able to really get a good look at it. I'm thinking about draining the fluid to see if there are signs of metal in it. and from there I'm going to try and disassemble it

davesl708 · May 6, 2016

Keep us posted on what you find.

445A · May 6, 2016

You can get parts and diagrams at searsparts.com if you can find the model #. Most Craftsman has a 3 digit# then a . (period) then a 5 or 6 digit #. Don't skip the . or you'll never get to the right machine. That gearcase has a chain and the tensioner is probably WAY loose. It uses a heavy grease rather than a 90wt type oil. I'd defiantly split the case. I agree with davesl708 you will find broken parts inside. Remove all the stuff (engine plate base, handle, tines, wheels, ect) until you have just the case to split. Get an empty coffee can and a couple of pairs of nitrile gloves and get ready to get real greasy. Split the case. Scoop all the grease out by hand and feel it as you squeeze it out of your gloves into the coffee can. You will probably find pieces of broken parts. Make sure you order ALL the parts you need because they hammer you on freight. You don't want to pay it twice. The video was a great way to diagnose the noise, good job!:thumbsup: And remember, we all do it for the fun of it, right?

lazerorca · May 7, 2016

Hi guys! Thanks so much for the help. So I look around at the belt. There have been issues with that since the day I got it. I opened up the gear box, and I found two gears that are torn up. I looked up the parts for it... and they are "obsolete" at the sears website.

Here are the part numbers and description according to the manual I downloaded. Any clue as to where I can find these parts affordably? The tiller model is 917-299691. Here is a picture of the two parts. Thanks everyone for your help. It has been very valuable