What Killed This Craftsman Tiller? | Craftsman Tiller Repair PT 1 

Every thing I work on, ran the last time it was used. But that’s the last time it ran. Every piece has a story to tell, but they aren’t fessing up! That’s a beautiful dog.

Just an FYI, for cleaning corroded carbs like that, get one of those cheap handheld sandblasters from Horror Fright and a couple of boxes of cheap baking soda to use in it. Will clean rust and corrosion right up without damaging the base metal. And baking soda will dissolve in water. Been doing this for almost ten years now. Between that and my ultrasonic cleaner, I can make carbs almost like new. Baking soda blasting also works good for cleaning spark plugs and corroded electrical connectors.

I just bought one $60. Ran when parked! I’ll clean and tune tomorrow and hope for the best.

Got the same Craftsman rototiller at a garage sale in the Free pile. It had the same problem...transmission. Being wheelchair bound I didn’t get it until I checked with a small engine mechanic. He said it’s not worth fixing. I’m not as mechanically inclined and MS has taken a lot of my feelings in my hands so I did not get it even though it was free and 4hp motor was free and had compression. This tiller looked to be at least twice as good looks wise.

I had one of these chain driven types that was built in 1995. I had a chain break on it and i replaced it but it was so worn out i didn't want to repair it anymore. So i bought one of the gear driven types they sell now and i like it a lot.

Damn dude gotta love your tenacity

If you check out other videos, you want to keep the gears on the other side of the case, just an observation :)

The water gets in through the shifter shaft seal failure.

The main reason most of those mass produced MTD rear tine tillers fill with water is being left in the weather. The o-ring in the shift shaft in the top of the case gets bad quickly and allows water to enter every rain. I have the exact same tiller except mine is blue with Lowe’s on it and the shifter label has a T for till instead of the second F/till.

did you take the jet out and clean it when you had the carb off? and the loop up by the handle is what makes the tires go when you pull it down

The only crap on the tine that would have any effect on the rotation is that which is contacting the center where the shaft goes into the gear case.

The dripping water is the clue for cause of the seize up! That is a known issue with these style of gear boxes on multiple brands.

I got called out to work on one of these today. I tore it down and the transmission had broken gears. Looked for parts. Manufacturer no longer makes parts. Crap. Put it back together and told the customer I couldn’t get parts.

Like a riding lawnmower drill two holes in wheel and use a puller and long bolts with nuts Heat it a little and it will come off

Small zip ties make great hose clamps

I bought 9 of them and fixed them all It’s a job but worth it

I also have a brand new 20hp engine that I will probably mount to this tiller if I can.

Water and rust kills these machines Keep them inside and out of weather The chain will stretch and break It’s very common and if you fix it polish the shafts good before trying to take it apart

Manufacturer says not to pressure wash the tines. Don’t want to get water into the gear case.

I had the same problem , got the chain fixed, found it online for 20.00. Trans is back together. Need a video of the reassembly, I cant figure out where everything goes.

I kept saying, Tim, it’s a chain drive tiller, but you didn’t hear me. I think the forward reverse lever is just tine rotation. Wheels only go in one direction. It’s probably an MTD tiller, new at least $600.? There should be an idler sprocket in there somewhere. Good job as usual.

Hey man do you know if the tensioner pulley has a spring pulling it down to help disengage it

What is the part number for that seal between the two trans halves

I have this same tiller, I had to take the carb to a shop to have it ultrasonic clean (got one on order). The ethanol demon got your carb too.. Buy ethanol free gas for all your small engines that sit in storage 7 mo. out of the year.....peeing? it's marking it's territory ..............

If it’s set a year just remove and clean carb

That thing sounded horrible when you were pulling on like the pulley was scrubbing against the shroud. I could tell there was no way you were going to start it with it sounding like that, it even sounded like the motor wasn't turning over freely.

notorious junk transmissions. I think I have the same model it's never shifted worth a damn since it was new now the wheels turn but the tines won't and both shear pins are fine.

Probably was never intended to ever be repaired, hope you break even or better

I one worth 300 running?

Duh, gas?

This is painful to watch, no manual (which is free online). Being mechanically inclined will work but adding the written word to your inventory can greatly reduce the frustration. It was funny to see you put the throttle cable on the wrong direction (which the free owners manual points out). 😂