Free Tiller

[IthacaJeff 151]

WH'ers;

I thought I would share this story about my recent acquisition of a tiller, plus a few

questions about it.

I've been looking for a tiller for about 6 months now, but they have been either

too expensive or too far away. CL, RS, Ebay, I've been checking them all. But,

about 3 weeks ago I was mowing and a plumber working on our boiler stepped

outside for a break. He noticed me mowing and when I stopped to chat with

him he asked if I had any attachments for it. I said a few, but I've been looking

for a tiller. He said he had one; he had bought it from a local guy for $40 with

the intention to try and fit it to his Simplicity. Some hacking was done, but he

realized it would not work.

Half (only half) jokingly, I told him I'd give him $60 for it. He said he would bring

it by some time, when he planned to do a double check of the plumbing he'd been

working on. Well, that was about 3 weeks ago, and I'd all but given up that the

deal was done.

Yesterday, though, he drove up with tiller loaded on a trailer. Model 67-36TL01 (1976)

We chatted a bit while unloading and I wanted to confirm the price. He said I could

have it. Free.

I balked, saying that I'm ready to pay, but he said I'd get good use out of it,

especially given our efforts to take care of 6 kids (3 adopted). I was almost

speechless, and entirely thankful!

Anyway, pictures are below as are some questions. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jeff in Ithaca

Questions.

1. Note the hitch frame is missing the diagonal cross brace and attachment rod.

Both were cut off in an attempt to fit it to the Simplicity. Also the small pulley is

off. There is a bolt hole to attach the pulley, but there looks to be some welding

on the pulley bracket. Is this small pulley only bolted on, or is it also welded?

2. I do not have the under-seat lever assembly. How necessary is this? Is there

any way I can just run a cable from my lift lever (manual lift on my 416-8) to

the tiller? Any way to incorporate my slot hitch?

3. You can see from one of the pictures that there is some leaking gear oil. What

kind of fix am I looking at here?

4. The rear flap is really, really stiff. Is it supposed to be hard to move or should

it freely flap around?

5. I also don't have the mid-mount idler pulley assembly or belt. Any of you with

these things want to send me a price?

[rickv1957 72]

Nice find there,great price!,Rick

[HankB 16]

Nice find - too bad the PO hacked it up.

I have no idea if a slot hitch would hold the tiller. I'm not familiar with them. But if the slot hitch is strong enough to pull a single bottom plow, it might be strong enough to support the tiller. Otherwise you'll need the axle bracket (unless you already have one.)

You'll also need belt idler and tensioner that fit the quick attach below the PTO clutch. And of course, you'll need a belt.

I don't see how you will lift it w/out the rock shaft and guide tube that fits under the seat. I fabbed my own cable so that can't be too hard. Maybe you could fashion the guide tube as well out of something like 38" brake line.

I suggest looking into what all of this is going to cost before you proceed. Some of this stuff adds up fast. Before you proceed, you might want to split the case to see how things look inside. There are sprockets and chain (I think) and you want to make sure all of the internals are OK before you spend $$$ getting it hooked up.

I hate to rain on your parade, but this might not actually be the deal you thought. OTOH, the worst you might do is to part it out and make a couple dollars that way.

Good luck!

[tgranthamfd 29]

Hope you can repair the tiller mount, it is still available but it will most likely run you around $150 ish new. I wish you the best but if you do end up parting it out I might be interested in the tines, among other things, if the price is right. There is a guy on here that has sold a couple of the mid mount assemblies and I think there is another fellow on here that is making some of them. Your dirt flap on the back should move fairly easy, so as to smooth out the tilled ground behind you. As for your leaking seal, I haven't looked into those on mine yet, but the oil could have run down being there is a stick in the fill hole instead of a plug. If your pulleys are bad, the big one is expensive and all I could find on the small ones were made out of the pot metal, will work but may not last. If you want to see some photos look in the work in progress section, I did mine and have some decent pictures. I could always get some more pictures if you need them. There are a couple of tiller posts over there. Mine was called "Tiller Refreshenup if that is a word". Once again I wish you the best of luck and keep us up on the progress or the decision. tgranthamfd :D

[PlowDayJunkie 3]

I just re sealed one of my tillers. $2 set of orings and about 1/2 hour time removing tines and pins, pull old press new seal in to housing .

I also use just a cable through the tube and NO ROCK SHAFT directly to the tiller, I have a tiller mounted on a 312-H and one on 416-8 both work very well.

The hydro had hydro lift and it works perfect, as does the manual lift.

I put a small piece of sacrificial steel on the top of axle housing so I do not wear the case from the cable rub, but all is fine

I am almost positive I have a couple frames laying around from some tillers that have become parts, as we have widened a few tillers for the larger garden.

I will look this weekend.

Good Luck

Scott

Little Falls, NY

[IthacaJeff 151]

Thanks for the replies, gents.

I've already got the rear attach-a-matic and I don't think fixing the hitch mount will be

difficult (but Scott, if you've got one, let me know a price). What I don't have is the rock

shaft that fits under the seat/fender support structure. I asked the local WH dealer

(former, of course) if he had one (no) and said to just run a cable from the lift lever

through the tube (I do have the tube) and to the tiller. It would be a pain to lift, but it

should work. . . and according to Scott in Little Falls, it will.

I am looking for the mid mount idler pulley and a belt, so if any of you have one, let

me know.

Thanks,

Jeff in Ithaca

[jtmoyer 1]

you should check with porkchop i sold him a tiller for parts to fix his so he should have the bracket that was cut on yours. i have seen mid mounts on ebay, some one makes a few each year and sells them.

good luck, jason