Troy-Bilt 12087 - Manual (Page 47)

The vents allow small amounts of
oil to seep out.
If a serious leak is discovered,
please contact our Technical
Service Department for parts and
service advice.
B. Checking Gear Oil Levels
Every 30 hours of operation,
check the gear oil level in both the
power unit transmission and the
tine attachment transmission. Op­
erating them while low on gear oil
(even briefly) can cause serious
damage to internal components.
Preparation:
1. The transmissions must be
cool, since hot gear oil expands
and gives a false reading.
2. The power unit transmission
and the tine attachment transmis­
sion must be connected when
checking (or adding) gear oil.
To Check the Power Unit Oii Levei:
1. Move the tiller to level ground.
Move the Depth Regulator up so
the tines rest on the ground.
2. Use a 3/8" wrench to remove
the oil level check plug on the left
side of the transmission housing
(refer to Figure 5-7).
3. If the oil level is correct, oil will
seep out of the check hole (allow
extra time in cold weather). If it
does, the level is fine and you
should replace the check plug. If
no oil seeps out, see “C. Adding or
Changing Gear Oil.”
To Check the Tine
Attachment Oil Level:
Two different gear oil check­
ing procedures for the tine at­
tachment transmission are de­
scribed next. Use the first proce­
dure if the dipstick in your tine
attachment has only a ‘Check
Cold’ marking. Use the second
procedure if the dipstick has
both ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ markings
at the end. First remove the dip­
stick from the tine attachment
transmission (Figure 5-8) to see
which type dipstick you have.
Then replace the dipstick.
For Dipsticks With ‘Check Cold’ Marking:
1. Put the tiller on level ground.
2. Pull the Depth Regulator Lever
back, then push it down all the way
(to engage its top notch). This lifts
the tines off the ground and lets the
tiller rest on its drag bar.
3. As you’ll be propping up the
rear of the tiller next, first place a
support under the engine to prevent
the tiller from tilting too far. Now
slide three pieces of 2"x4" lumber
underneath the drag bar- raising
Figure 5-7: Remove oil level check
plug. Gear oil should seep out if
the level is sufficient.
Figure 5-8: Remove dipstick with a
9/16" wrench to check gear oil level
in tine attachment transmission.
Markings on dipstick must face rear
of tiller when checking oii level.
the drag bar about 4-V2" above
ground. This elevation allows an
accurate “cold” gear oil reading
(“cold” means 2 hours has passed
since the tiller was used).
4. Wait two hours with tiller ele­
vated (allow more time if tempera­
ture is below 40^F).
5. Loosen and remove transmis­
sion dipstick (Fig. 5-8). Wipe it
clean with a rag.
6. Hold dipstick so its markings
face rear of tiller. Lower it straight
down into the sump hole to touch
the driveshaft inside (Fig. 5-8).
Don’t force or try to thread it back
in...an incorrect reading will result.
7. Remove dipstick and check oil
level. It should be anywhere with­
in the cross-hatched area or even
slightly above the “Max” marking.
If correct, replace dipstick and re­
move the boards used as props.
8. If oil level was low, gear oil
must be added before using the
tiller. See “C. Adding or Chang­
ing Gear Oil” next.
For Dipsticks With Hot/Cold Markings:
1. Follow Steps 1 and 2 given for
the other type of dipstick.
2, Put a 2"x4" board under the
drag bar- raising the tiller and drag
bar about 3-V2" above ground.
This elevation is for a “cold” read­
ing which is preferable- 2 or more
hours since tiller was last used. (If
taking a “hot” reading- tiller was
operated for more than 30 minutes
within the past hour, do not use the
wood prop to elevate the tiller.).
4. Follow Steps 4, 5 and 6 given
for the other dipstick type.
5. Remove dipstick and check
level. It should be within or above
the “Cold” range marking if taking
a ‘cold’ reading. (If taking a “Hot”
reading, the level should be within
or slightly above the “Hot” range.)
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