Operatingin small horizontal shaft engines on slopes, and lubrication

[jas67]

I just acquired an old 1970's Troy Bilt Horse that I'm soon going to repower (it was left outside with no spark plug, so the engine is seized).

I need to break-up the soil on a bank that is about 3' high, and about a 30-40% grade, so that I can rake it and shape it properly (it is pretty lumpy and uneven.) It is too close to a building to drive up and down it with my tractor, and obviously too steep to drive the tractor across it. So, I was considering using the tiller to break it up, to make it easier to work.

At what angles can these machines be used w/o starving the engine of oil? The original engine had the cylinder straight up, but all the replacement engines available seem to have the cylinder on a 45 degree slant. The engine is mounted with the shaft parallel with the direction of travel. Do these engines tolerate tilt more in one axis than another? Would I be better off going up and down, or across the will (from an engine lubrication perspective).

Thanks,
Jay

 

[oldmech]

Hi! Normally Small engines (splash oiling) can take 25 degre with no problem. But MOMENTARY 2-3 min can go 35 degre. I think if you go across or diagonaly hill ( the best for your security) you can stop tines and move .Lift the handlebar for make engine to level and run engine for 2-3 min for provide good lubrification you repeat actions. More long but This can save your engine. Slant engine as Honda GX are as other small Splash oiling engine oil pan Must be at level than possible. Good luck ! Oldmech

 

[jas67]

oldmech -- thanks for the info. I downloaded an operator's manual from B&S for the particular series engine that I am putting on it, and the manual states 15 degrees. This engine is a slant engine. It seems like all the horizontal-shaft single-cylinder engines are slants these days (with the exception of the small diesels like the Yanmars & clones, and the Hatz).

I use my push mower to mow a 45 degree 3' high bank at the front of my property, and, while I know that is hard on it , I never really thought to let it run for several minutes at the end of each "row". I guess I should consider doing that. It would add considerable time to the job thought

 

[kthompson]

I was looking at an application the engine would have been on a 45 or so slope and was told one with pressurized oil system would be fine. Spec did not go as high as I was told it would be fine for.

I had one of the true Troy Bilt tillers with a Briggs on it and by it's design when on flat ground with the tillers as deep as they would go, that engine had to be near a 20 degree angle and I always wondered with it. Don't miss that when considering travel direction. On that tiller if you were going down hill the engine would have been nearly vertical.

 

[jas67]

kthompson,

That is a good point, so I guess I'll probably till going down hill, and come up the hill in high gear, with the tines up in the air.

As for getting a small engine with pressurized lubrication, you typically don't see pressurized lubrication on small gas engines until you get into the 16 + HP twin-cylinder models.

Also, with a pressured lubrication system, you need to be sure that the oil pickup isn't starved for oil. A dry-sump lubrication system is the best way to go for your application.

 

[DeNiro]

Another thing that you should consider is the gas tank. Do not fill it near full. Each time I fill my Troybilt and till at a very steep angle the tank will allow fuel to leak onto the motor. When tipped at that angle the cap is below the fuel level. The tank is large enough to till for many hours so half a tank will probably do all you need do.

 

[SPYDERLK]

2-3 minutes between passes is about 60x what is needed. At 60 splashes per second it oils quick.
larry

 

[DieselPower]

I'll have to remember that one, SPS (splashes per second).

 

[oldmech]

Hi! SPIDERLK is right! One minute at level will be OK for good engine lubrication!
I knows very well HORSE TROY- BILT I own one for more ten years.
Please dont till go down on 30-40 degre hill. This Could be VERY DANGEROUS FOR YOU If tines hit rocks or roots.
For security. Try first GO UP Diagonal with your tiller and put on side the handle bar. Engine is high on Troy-Bilt . Wheels track narrow make instable on no level ground . BCS and GRILLO are better machine on incline.
Good Luck ! Oldmech