Not a tractor, but a tiller question

[handirifle]

Well, I looked at the old gear, no splines, so nothing sheared there.
Here is the diagram for the transmission, gear number 39 was what was broken and replaced.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...P0901087/00004?blt=06&prst=0&shdMod=917299160

What I am wondering now, is the possibility of part number 49, the tine shaft kit, they call it. I wonder if that gear (which is the toothed gear for the chain) might be spinning on the tine shaft? Anyone ever have a model similar and have an issue like that?

When I had it open before EVERYTHING seemed to spin and engage correctly. The only thing I am a little unsure of is the belt tensioning system. It is not the cause of this problem, because I can spin the big drive pulley while holding the tines, fairly easily too.

When engaged and the motor running, anything more than grass (like dirt or heavy weeds) will stop the tines. It doesn't even try to dig in the dirt, but neither does it make any odd noises while doing so either.

I am going to try their parts "chat" line and see what their guy says.

 

[handirifle]

Well, I checked it again, last night and even though I can still turn the tines and tine shaft freely, just going by feel, it feels like there is nothing else inside, like the attached chain, turning.

So, it looks like I am definitely going to have to dismantle the thing again.

I have two pallets of used brick to lay out in a walkway first, but when that is done I will get back on it and post here.

 

[handirifle]

Ok finally found this thread again. Was looking for it to post an update, cause I finally fixed the tiller. I had it in my shop for a few months cause it was low priority to fix it since I didn't need a tiller again soon.

So, I got tired of looking at in taking up space and yesterday, I pulled it apart to have a look see. I could not believe what I found. According to design, the drive shaft for the tines has a sprocket welded to it, at least according to design. As I was taking it all apart I put a screwdriver through the hole the shear pin goes through, while the gears were engaged. The sprocket spun on the shaft.

After pulling it apart and cleaning all the grease off, I studied it a few minutes and saw that the sprocket was SUPPOSED to be welded to the shaft. At first I thought it was a press fit since everything looked so smooth, but upon closer exam, I saw a very nice looking weld bead going all the way around the sprocket right next to the shaft. It looked like the weld had penetrated about as deep as a layer of chrome would be, and only on about 3/4" of about a 4" circumference. It's amazing it did as much work as it did before it broke.

The weld bead completely circled the shaft, but never touched it. So much for quality control there. i bet it's a robot weld, but something was definitely not adjusted right.

So, I pulled the sprocket off, ground down most of the original weld, and welded it myself.


I now have a working tiller again....yipee!

Anyway, just thought I'd post the update since this was such an odd issue. I KNOW my weld will hold, I could see it melting into the shaft. Thanks to the good folks on this site, I have made HUGE strides in my welding.