April 19, 2023

Tiller: Why do my tiller's wheels turn but the tines don't?

If the wheels on your tiller move but the tines don't spin, you may need to replace tine shaft clevis pins or replace the transmission.

The tiller's transmission drives the wheels and the tine shaft, so you'll likely need to replace the transmission when the wheels spin but the tine shaft doesn't move.

If the tine shaft turns but the tines don't spin, check the tine shaft clevis pins. The clevis pins are shear pins that connect the tines to the rotating tine shaft. The clevis pins are designed to shear off if the tines hit a fixed object during cultivation to prevent damage to the engine and other tiller components. Replace broken tine shaft clevis pins to restore tine rotation.

tiller

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR TILLER PROBLEM

JC-TIL-Replace-the-tiller-tine-shaft-clevis-pin

Replace the tiller tine shaft clevis pin

A clevis pin attaches the tines to the rotating tine shaft. The clevis pin is designed to shear off if the tines hit a fixed object while cultivating to protect the engine. Replace the clevis pin on the tine shaft if it breaks.

Tiller tine shaft clevis pin

Find the required part specific to your product.

JC-TIL-Replace-the-tiller-transmission

Replace the tiller transmission

The transmission controls the motion of the wheels and/or tines on a tiller. An internal gear failure in the transmission can prevent the tines from turning or the wheels from moving. Replace the transmission if it won't drive the tiller components properly.

Tiller transmission

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your tillers

Choose a symptom to see related tiller repairs.

Main causes: clutch cable problems, faulty transmission…

Main causes: damaged tines, broken clevis pins, worn drive belt, faulty transmission, clutch cable problems, improper de…

Main causes: worn or broken drive belts, bad transmission, clutch cable problems…

Main causes: leaky engine head gasket, damaged sump gasket, damaged oil drain plug seal, loose or cracked fuel line, lea…

Main causes: broken shaft clevis pins, transmission failure…

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Main causes: carburetor failure, bad gasoline, dirty spark plug, broken recoil starter…

Most common repair guides to help fix your tillers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your tiller.

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How to replace a tiller recoil starter

The recoil starter spins the engine when you pull the starter rope, and the rope retracts when released. If the recoil s…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your tillers

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