The importance of keeping lawns and garden beds looking great is obvious to any gardener or homeowner. With a rototiller, this task can be completed with minimal effort and can be carried out for hours at a time.
In spite of their durability, tillers also need maintenance and repairs from time to time. As these machines seem complex, most people believe they have to send them away or have them repaired in a shop which can be expensive. Nevertheless, if you know about the most common tiller problems, you might be able to fix them yourself.
In this guide, you’ll find out about some issues that occur with tillers and learn how to troubleshoot them. Taking care of your tiller now will save you significant time and money and will ensure that your favorite garden tool will last for years to come.
How To Properly Take Care Of A Tiller
We must first understand its basic care before considering the rototiller repairs that may be needed in its lifetime. Having a good garden requires a rototiller, which breaks up the earth to prepare it for growth. However, a rototiller has many parts that need to be tended to.
A tiller is a machine that consists of a gasoline engine connected to traditional tilling blades, but the blades do all the work without the use of your hands. By working their way through the soil, these blades, also known as tines, aerate it, allowing seeds to be planted, killing weeds, and keeping the soil healthy.
You should pay attention to both the engine and the tilling blade as well as its general maintenance when it comes to taking care of your tiller. Following are some tips that can help you provide it with the ongoing maintenance it needs:
- Keep the tines clean and lubricated to prevent them from becoming rusted or jarring.
- During the winter, put some fuel stabilizer into the tank to prevent any issues with it not being used and to keep it from becoming stale.
- You should replace your tires as needed or fill up your low-pressure tires.
- Keep your air filter clean by changing it at regular intervals.
- You should always use a clean fuel filter, and make sure it’s changed regularly.
Troubleshooting common tiller problems
Many gardeners rely heavily on their tillers, and like any tool or machine, there are times when they run into problems. Some of the most common problems associated with a tiller include:
- Fuel leaking from the engine
- Failure to start the engine at all
- The engine starts, then immediately stop
- Wheels turning but tines not turning
- Tines turning but wheels not turning
- Not properly tilling
In the event of these problems, many people may presume they need to contact an expert for assistance. You can, however, come up with some options on your own and check them out to see if they will solve your problem without needing to pay for additional help.
How To Troubleshoot Your Tiller
Working with a broken or malfunctioning tiller can be frustrating, especially when there is work to be done. Here are a few fixes you can try if you have any of the above problems:
Replace Tiller Transmission
In the event that neither the wheels nor tine are moving, most likely the transmission needs to be repaired.
Replace Tines
Possibly, you need to replace the tines or blades on the tiller if it’s not working. Poor performance and insufficient aeration are both indicators of this.
Tune The Engine
You can tune up a tiller’s engine the same way that you would your car. You should change the oil, lubricate the moving parts, and replace the air filter.
Replace The Carburetor
It might be time to replace the carburetor on an older tiller. Fuel cannot get to the engine because the old gasoline has built up, preventing it from flowing. This can be a problem if it doesn’t start or stops just a few seconds after being turned on.
Replace The Recoil Starter
If you’re using a recoil starter on your tiller, then this might be the problem, not the engine. In most cases, they can be easily repaired or replaced.
Check Settings
Usually, adjusting the setting is all that’s required. Check the conditions of the soil and make sure it’s set at the right depth for work.
Final Thoughts
Tillers have been a blessing for many gardeners to save hours of labor and get the job done. A tiller is a great tool for aerating the lawn and removing weeds, and using a rototiller gives you a versatile tool that does so much.
A tiller’s long life can be ensured by regular maintenance and by being aware of any issues as soon as they arise. The truth is that many people assume that expert help is necessary when they are actually quite capable of doing it themselves.
When you own a tiller, you know about the potential problems and know how to troubleshoot them. Knowing how your favorite gardening accessory works will allow you to fix it yourself without ever having to turn to an expert. If you want to buy the best tiller on the market you can check this guide for more info