Tiller Who can identify this rototiller?

[Finn73]

Bought the attached rototiller new at an auction last year, with only the single page included for documentation. Any ideas? There isn't even a serial number plate.

 

[ArXane]

That looks to be a Made in China tiller.

 

[Finn73]

Most likely. I'm just trying to find some documentation in order to troubleshoot. Concerned there may be a gearbox issue. Splines will not turn once resistance is applied (into the ground). Can't find a sheer pin anywhere, likely as it has a PTO slipclutch.

 

[TerryR]

Can't find a sheer pin anywhere, likely as it has a PTO slipclutch.

The one-pager says it has a "friction clutch."

 

[Finn73]

I thought maybe that was the issue at first, but it's grabbing. I can't tell where it's slipping, gearbox output is hidden. Might just have to bite the bullet and drain to inspect.

 

[bilrus61]

I'll go with made in India and that it's a very good quality tiller.

 

[Finn73]

Any chance it's sold in North America under a familiar name? I've been googling but nothing looks quite the same

 

[dougg]

Most likely Chinese. Drain the side gear box and open it up. There should be a broken gear pin inside you need to replace. This happened to my friend who bought the Chinese one.

 

[Finn73]

I actually opened up the side gearbox last night before your post. Turns out it was fine so I dug a little deeper. After burning off a bunch of baler twine I found the culprit (attached). Not a good sign if the weld broke that easy. Mind you I knew what I was getting into when I bought this unit,,,

 

[Alesandro]

OH wow, I've never tried to weld anything big, or really much at all. But if I did, I think I would do better than that.

Is that something you think you can do yourself?

 

[Finn73]

I have a welder stopping out later today, he's an old friend and on his way back from another call. Sent him the picture last night, he figures he'll have no problem welding it where it is, instead of having to remove. He's really good, figured no sense trying to mess with it myself - and his rates are excellent. I'll let you know how we make out,,,

 

[WM75Guy]

I vote for this one. Specs are identical to the sheet.

RT82 Rotary Tiller – TMG Industrial

 

[1stDeuce]

I vote for this one. Specs are identical to the sheet.

RT82 Rotary Tiller – TMG Industrial

Yup, I was just going to say that looks like a TMG tiller. Yours is the first complaint I've heard about them. Looks like a pretty cold weld there... No wonder it broke loose from the flange. Your buddy should be able to weld it up so it never breaks again. Be sure to weld a little and let it cool though, it appears there's a bearing and seal right there next to it, and you don't want to cook that... Or better yet, tack it, then pull the bolts and slide it out away from the bearing and seal to weld it...

 

[Finn73]

This is great, thanks for the homework guys. At least this may give me a source for parts in NA. There is no link to product docs on the website, unsure if they will provide but I will contact them to see.

Wondering if this was just surplus product shipped right from the factory prior to being supplied a serial#? Is this common? This tiller and 2 others were definitely new at the auction (gear box was dry, some assembly required, etc.) I'm certainly not complaining, the price was more than right when compared to something with a name.
By the way, storm here today. Welder never showed up. Will keep you apprised.

 

[jabelding]

At least it will be an easy fix and no parts, I would definitely pull it apart to finish welding after it is tacked. You might be able to get some weld on the inside. The mfg may have missed an interior weld contributing to the failure.

 

[2458n]

Dealers would be really pissed if they had a name brand and had to compete with auction items. Companies who dump stuff on the auction have to sell without serial numbers and traceability. If they did not do it this way they would lose their dealer base. Let your welder do his thing - and enjoy your bargain.

 

[Finn73]

Enjoying. Welded up and back out running fine. Was out until dusk, came in and found TMG emailed me the manual which includes a parts list. Everything is good.

Timing is everything. I didn't find out until I looked at the manual that I had overfilled the side gearbox, which was causing some to leak out of the top plug. Manual says oil to the bottom plug with tiller sitting slightly forward. The top plug is a breather.

Apparently manuals are useful after all!

 

[California]

Just a question: Does that manual say fill oil only to a level that covers the lowest gear (and let the gears throw the oil upward)?

 

[Finn73]

Just a question: Does that manual say fill oil only to a level that covers the lowest gear (and let the gears throw the oil upward)?

It doesn't say that specifically. Once I had the cover off I would say that's is about right, maybe not the entire bottom gear. I think the the bottom plug is about 3/4 the way up the bottom gear. Taken from the manual;

When sitting slightly tilted forward, oil should at the bottom of the drain plug on the side gearbox cover.

 

[Blake83]

would you mind sharing the manual? I have tried to contact TMG without any luck! please email it to me if you are willing and able. jbb1668@gmail.com