Noise when engaging tines on an old Troy Bilt horse tiller

[revak]

Through the help of this site, I recently got my new to me Troy Bilt horse tiller running. I was able to get my onions planted and was very pleased with the ease that the tiller prepared the ground. My only concern was when I engaged the tines there was a clanging sound, sort of like attempting to put a car in gear without using the clutch. The noise was very brief but it was a bit disconcerting. Is it normal for there to be a noise when engaging the tines on an older (1971) Troy Bilt horse?

 

[DJ54]

Sounds like your drive belt may be a bit snug, even though not engaged, and spinning the drive a bit. You're getting gear clash, just as you described with a car. Same result, just a different design to get power to the driven unit.

There ought to be a happy medium between letting the belt stop when not engaged, but yet tighten enough to drive the tines without slipping, even in tough digging.

It could be a case of where originally it had a XX + 1/2" long belt, and the PO replaced it with a 1/2" shorter belt, and even with no tension from the idler pulley, is still spinning the tranny enough to get gear clash when you engage the tines.

 

[revak]

The belt is brand new. I had it put on when the shop serviced the unit before I used it. Do you think the belt will give a little with use? Is it easy to adjust? Should I be concerned about damaging the gears?

 

[DJ54]

It may stretch some, but it won't do it any good until then. Is the dealer a Troy Bilt Dealer..?? If not, I'd get the model & serial number off your machine and go to Troy Bilt online. I was looking a while ago, and they have online parts manuals for a LOT of models. Definitely get your serial number, as I'm sure you will need it to find the right one. Then check the belt(s) it calls for. If it doesn't give the belt length in the parts description, you can probably enter their part number in a search engine, or even NAPA's site and find the correct length. Then compare with what's on it now. Just be sure to click the little interchange block in the upper right corner, just above the block you enter your part/belt number, if you use the NAPA site.

Maybe even look for a Troy Bilt forum. I'm sure someone in one of those could get you on the right track. Maybe even post your question down in the Garden section, or 2 wheel garden tractors here. Surely someone has a similar model.

 

[DJ54]

Forgot to mention, there surely has to be an adjustment for the idler pulley. I don't have, or never worked on a Troy Bilt, but it does show one on the particular model I looked at.

 

[reb]

I downloaded the owner's manual for a Troy Bilt tiller a year or so ago. The procedure for adjusting the belt was in there. I don't think they have changed significantly over the years. Mine was built in about 1998, and it is very similar to one my neighbor has that is 10 or 20 years older.