Tiller Tiller leaking oil? Need help!

[Knight]

If anyone has either a King Kutter or Dark Horse tiller ( Basically the same unit other than color and assembly) and is leaking oil, then I can help you with the fix. Seals are $5.00 each.
Breaking tines?
If anyone needs help through the process, I would more than happy to help!
I have done two now and I consider my self educated on these machines enough to help others. Both these tillers are working great.
Post up and I'll walk you through!

If you happen to run across a Dark Horse tiller leaking oil as is a being given away, grab it. ( grab it for me , if you don't want it)This has the basic material for a good tiller, but you will need to disassemble and reassemble it. Some TSC have them on clearance price, grab it, if you don't mind reassembling it.

 

[Peej]

Knight, I have a Bush Hog RTL 60 that iseaaeking oil on the gear box side , inside where the spindle goes into the side gear box. What all is involved?

 

[Peej]

isaeeaking? leaking!

 

[Knight]

The ironic part about your tiller, is that it uses only one seal, much like the Dark horse tiller. King kutter come with and now my Dark horse have two seals in series. This ends the leaking problem.
I bet you will have room for two seals as well. This should solve your leak problem. How much use has your tiller had before it started leaking?

About 2-3 hours to take apart and 2 hours to reassemble.
The tiller with be out of commission for at least a week waiting for seals.(I have a good source for the seals...ups to you)
You need to take cover off and drain oil.
I wrap a strap around tiller shaft and up around whole unit to hold it up.
(this maintains position of shaft once the side hub is removed)
I also loose bolts on top gear box than slide a 2x4 block of wood, plus wood shim under top drive shaft to keep top shaft raised and maintain it's position.
Now remove top gear in side gearbox. and bottom gear.
Now loosen side gear box cover and remove. This might need a little heat and tapping with a wood block.
Now you will have the hub with bearing and seal in it.
When you get to this part I use heat and tap out bearing.
Now you can get at the new seals, etc.
I freeze the bearing for 24 hours to help with the reinstall.

 

[BJN644]

My local TSC has a 5 or 6 foot KKII tiller sitting out back with a puddle of oil under it, wonder what it could be had for?

 

[Knight]

My local TSC has a 5 or 6 foot KKII tiller sitting out back with a puddle of oil under it, wonder what it could be had for?

$200 should be good. 60" fixed up will go for $800 in season on craiglist

 

[BJN644]

I'd buy it if they would sell it that cheap, I'll stop and check.

 

[Knight]

Tell them it's a big job to pullout that tiller shaft.

 

[BJN644]

Just got back from TSC, they want $1150. I passed, the paint isn't worn off the tines yet but someone beat the snot out of this tiller. Bent tines, bent skid, multiple dings from tilling rocks. No wonder it leaks oil.

 

[Peej]

Thanks knight. my tiller is kinda old came with the tractor as part of the package, was leaking then. Messicks shows the diagram of the tiller ( Bush Hog RTL 60 ) and lists the seal for $16.88 a 75 X 55 X 10 ? any help with the seals would be appreciated. Does the diagram look the same as you were discribing? Thanks for your help.

 

[Knight]

It is a double lip seal, make sure lip is toward fluid when you install.
These guys can get it. Should be about $6.00 each
They show one seal, but when you take it apart see if you can stack two in there.
Keep me posted, I would like to know how you make out?

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f you have any inquiries please contact us:
BDI-Bearing Distributors, Inc.
8000 Hub Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44125
Ph. (216) 642-9100
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E-mail:bshepard@bdi-usa.com

 

[SPYDERLK]

Just got back from TSC, they want $1150. I passed, the paint isn't worn off the tines yet but someone beat the snot out of this tiller. Bent tines, bent skid, multiple dings from tilling rocks. No wonder it leaks oil.

Thats a total rip for a leaking tiller. Ipaid about that for my brand new 5' 3yrs ago. It started seeping oil soon, but not enuf to worry. Just pour $.50 worth in before you till. If it gets worse use grease+oil. If you put any value at all on your time this is the most $ efficient unless you use it a lot.
larry

 

[Sackett2]

The tractor store in my town wants 1600 for a 5' with a froze up bearing! (bailing twine around drum)

And If I could get a new one for under 1800 around here, I would have...

 

[Cocre]

Using the correct oil may solve a leak issue; 85w140 or 000 grease.

KKII sells their seal set (P/N 505017 - two seals) for ~$23. Call 800-228-2308 and ask for the parts department. I got mine in two days. And use the right oil, in fact I should have tried that first. Could have saved me a half-days work.

 

[Knight]

Thats a total rip for a leaking tiller. Ipaid about that for my brand new 5' 3yrs ago. It started seeping oil soon, but not enuf to worry. Just pour $.50 worth in before you till. If it gets worse use grease+oil. If you put any value at all on your time this is the most $ efficient unless you use it a lot.
larry

True for a small drip. The leak only gets worse over time and if you put equipment inside, then you always have an oil puddle.
It isn't that hard to change the seals, if you have an average mechanical ability.
If it's off season, work on it intermittently.
I wish you were close, I would come over and help. It is one of those jobs that looks hard, but is very straight forward. If you decide to do it, I will help anyway I can.... hope this helps.

 

[Knight]

Using the correct oil may solve a leak issue; 85w140 or 000 grease.

KKII sells their seal set (P/N 505017 - two seals) for ~$23. Call 800-228-2308 and ask for the parts department. I got mine in two days. And use the right oil, in fact I should have tried that first. Could have saved me a half-days work.

I could not find Triple zero grease anywhere. I went to Napa and asked the counter person about that grease and he looked at me like I was wearing his clothes. They were all running around asking each other. I did find a place online that wanted $200 for five gallons.

I think this grease would be good to use, if you can get it a reasonable cost.

 

[Knight]

Another thing you way want to do, is go over the tine bolts and make sure they are tight. If they get loose, they break off near the bolt wholes.
They are about $50 for six new tines.

 

[HayDR]

We just purchased a 120 Lbs. drum of EP0 for $138. Typically a 40 Lbs pail cost $50-$60.
Snapper uses EP00 in their rear engine rider and they have it available by the quart. Even John Deere has EP0 corn head grease available but it is pricey.

 

[Knight]

We just purchased a 120 Lbs. drum of EP0 for $138. Typically a 40 Lbs pail cost $50-$60.
Snapper uses EP00 in their rear engine rider and they have it available by the quart. Even John Deere has EP0 corn head grease available but it is pricey.

What is EPO?

 

[BJN644]

I could not find Triple zero grease anywhere. I went to Napa and asked the counter person about that grease and he looked at me like I was wearing his clothes. They were all running around asking each other. I did find a place online that wanted $200 for five gallons.

I think this grease would be good to use, if you can get it a reasonable cost.

Here is some 0 grease that McMaster Carr sells, not sure if it's the same as 000, but their NLGI chart shows it to have the consistancy of mustard.

McMaster-Carr