Tiller help needed! Winter's OVER!!

[Dresden Guy 24]

I brought my tiller into the Horse Barn for a spring tuneup, and I can't get one of the tine assemblies off the shaft. I loaded the end of the shaft hole with PB Blaster (which my wife refer's to as WH Cologne - it has such a "sweet fragrance"), but have not been able to get the shaft to budge from the tine sleeve. Any thoughts?? I know PB Blaster needs maybe 24 hours or more to work, but I am an impatient man...... I want it off!!!

I don't want to pound on the tines, because it could damage the gears in the gearbox. I considered a rod through the holes in the other end of the shaft where I removed the other tine assembly (with not too much problem) and try a pipe wrench on the stuck end shaft.

I don't necessarly have to open the gearbox, because it seems to be freewheeling pretty well, but thought I might open it up to see what shape it's in.....

Should I go with the old adage:? "If it ain't broken, don't fix it!, or in this case don't take the left hand tine set off.

Help!!!

Steve (aka Dresden Guy)

[pfrederi 17,640]

If there are no weird noises and no metal chips in the gear oil...leave it alone

[Paul D. 26]

I would leave it on but keep spraying the PB blaster on whenever you think about it so when ya need it off it will.

[kpinnc 11,867]

I agree. If you don't need to open it, leave it alone.

But if you MUST get them off, weld a 5/8 inch nut on the outside of the tine. Then you can use a long bolt to push them off. Use plenty of anti-seize when you put them back. Use a short bolt the rest of the time to plug the hole.

[can whlvr 993]

great idea kevin,i have to split mine,its leaking between the 2 sides through the gasket

[sorekiwi 761]

You did this at the same time last year Steve, Started playing with your tiller and it dumped snow continuously for another month.

I'm a huge fan of not fixing whats not broken.

[Dresden Guy 24]

Mike & Kevin,

Yes, Mike I did start fiddling with my tiller last year ..... I think of "tiller tinkering" as a subliminal harbinger of SPRING!! But, I agree with you about "if it ain't broke", but my gearcase is leaking, but maybe it isn't serious enough to tear the unit apart. Question: How much gearcase leakage is permissible? Maybe just checking the oil level frequently (after every use until I know seveity).

And, I too like Kevin's solution, but am wondering if I might remove the 4 bolts on the end holding the tines, and temporarily replace them with longer bolts that would hold a ½" thick plate, with a 5/8" threaded hole in the center which could accomodate the same bolt Kevin is suggesting (to push the tine assembly of the shaft). My reasoning is because I don't weld, but have thread taps, and I could use it for both ends by unbolting the four (4) corner bolts. Just a thought, as it uses Kevin good solution, and do it without welding. Maybe.... tak a look at my pic of the end of the shaft assembly, and tell me if my makeshift "puller/pusher contraption" would work.

[Kelly 1,029]

I see no reason why your way wil not work the same as Kevins, you might want to put some stiffening straps behind the square part on the tiller so not to bend it as you pull.

Or top off the oil, leave the pin out and go till some frozen ground might pop right loose.