1. Roper Rear Tine Tiller Manual

Ages ago in the early 90's, I bought a Craftsman 5hp rear tine tiller. It had the B&S engine on it.

For some reason, Sears modified the housing for the pull starter rope, and the rope was not a replaceable option. So I gave Sears all of the pertinent numbers and ordered the housing with pull starter. Six months later, they notified me that the part was in, and upon pickup, found that a washing machine part, with my part number, was sent. Once the proper part had been shipped and installed, the engine, after running a while, started spitting sparks and went south.

It has sat outside since until this spring. I bought a new Honda 6 HP engine and put it on, cleaned everything as best I could and started the tiller up. All works except the wheels don't engage. This is a model that allows Forward, Forward and Till, Reverse, or Neutral to be selected. I have searched everywhere trying to find a manual, or anything on Craftsman Tillers, but they don't seem to exist.

The large wheel on the side of the gearbox is belt driven, but I have no idea what's inside. Can anyone give me a clue as to where I might find firstly, a repair manual for the gearbox, and secondly, what might be inside and might be the problem(gear, belts, shear pins) and thirdly, how are these usually opened? I certainly don't want to return it to Sears for repair after the original parts fiasco. I realize that without numbers, the exact procedures might not be accurate, but I was hoping to just get an idea until I can get the numbers and return.

Thanks for any help. Thanks, Bill, The part was actually the 917.295550. The other was a front tine tiller. The exploded view shows me a much more complicated assembly than I had expected. I'm not sure if I could handle this or not. A new transmission costs $311+. Last questions - are these usually just disassemble and re-assemble type assemblies (not needing any fancy tools, in other words)?

I see an oil plug, what type of oil or axle grease do these use, as a rule. I don't really see a grease plug. Mine sounds a little dry. Thanks for all you've provided. That was not ALL I did. The tiller had been sitting out in the weather for perhaps 8-10 years.

I had to pull the wheels off to get the belt cover off to remove the engine. The wheels were frozen on the axles and the axle did not turn in Neutral, and I had to drag the tiller perhaps 10 feet to get it to my barn to work on it, and had to use a wheel puller to pull the wheels off the axle. Either of these actions could have caused damage. The axles did not appear to turn even after the wheels were removed in any gear including Neutral.

Sometime during the replacement of the engine, and after replacing the wheels, they started to turn. I doubt that the linkage to the transmission is misaligned, as when I put it in the Forward/Till gear, the tines turn, and this is the only selection that allows for the tines to turn. The wheels do not turn in any of the three selections that provide for the wheels to rotate. It's fairly obvious that I have probably knocked something loose inside, broke something internally, or something has failed due to age. I have found that I can buy a new frame/transmission for about $300, or buy a very similar new model at Sears with dual rotation tines for about $680. I don't want to get into a situation where I start tearing this apart and find that it's going to become a money pit, but I guess at this point, I have nothing to lose. The only other choices I have found for similar tillers around here are Troy-Bilt.

I have no problem with them at all, and have not looked for used ones yet. Thanks for all the concern and help. I have a 917 series 17 inch 6 hp commecial I/C tiller and would like to share the following with you: The 'gearbox' is a flimsy joke! The wheels are drivenby a horribly undersized #35 chain that belongs on a bicycle and is so small it doesn't even show up on the parts diagram. The tiller blades are driven by a larger (#60-I think) chain in the opposite direction. Because of the design (counter rotating tines) the tiller fights the wheels when operating. Bcause of the flimsy wheel drive chain, this is the part that breaks.

Now the fun begins. Because the machine was so poorly engineered there is no gearbox' or over to remove. The entire machine including every cover panel and nut and bolt must be removed in order to split the case, which is the frame. If your unit was ever used before it exploded ( mine broke on its 3rd time out while tilling previously broken ground) the bolts will be impossible to remove as the exposed threads will be hammered from the rocks and dirt underneath. The self-stripping sheet metal screws-!!

Which secure the two halves of the stamped tin box will also chew themselves new holes if at all rusty or muddy. (more non-engineering) You will probably need a new gasket for the box to hold the red grease inside plus the tiny chain which costs 14.95 + 6.95 shipping. All in all it is a POC never designed to be repaired. I'm going to put it back together and look for a used old troybilt with a cast iron gearbox.

I came on the web looking for a re-call for it - that's how horribly it is designed! I'm digusted beyond belief. It's still scattered around the basement as I'm sure it will break on a regular basis and I hate to do a stupid job more than once. I just took a 14' craftsman apart for a friend. If yours is similar the chain probably broke that runs from the countergear to the wheel axle.

My friend's tiller had the needle brgs in the tine drive sprocket go dry and all the needles fell out making the end of the sprocket rub against the case and almost rubbing a hole thru it. The sprocket got a lot of wear on the thrust face from rubbing the case and it's no longer available.

My friend decided he didn't want to put any $ in it so I'm hauling everything but the good engine to the scrap yard. The owners manual says the chain case ONLY needs 8 oz of plastilube grease, whatever that is. It doesn't look like near enough to me after seeing the inside of the case. I think they designed these to self destruct.

I'll stick with my old TB Horse and my small(14') Wizard front tine tillers. After seeing the inside of this one I wouldn't buy a chain drive tiller on a bet unless it had some way to check and add grease to it.

Rear Tine Tiller is the garden tool for tilling a large area with rough, compact ground. It differs slightly in design from the more common garden tiller (or front tiller). A front tiller has blades in front of the engine and machine driving it. A rear tine tiller, on the other hand, has the blade at the back of the machine and engine. Since the engine pulls the tines, rear tine tillers can dig much more in-depth.

Serious gardeners now choose to prepare their large, compact gardens with rear tine tillers. I assume you are here because you are looking for the best rear tine tiller for your gardening needs.

Today, the many brands are producing various quality tillers. It makes increasingly challenging to arrive at the right choice. This review aims at providing you with helpful information to get a tine tiller to meet your needs. We took into consideration a number of parameters to arrive at our best pick. You will learn of those parameters later on.

For now, please check out our top 5 best tine tiller reviews. The SRTT196 Rear Tine tiller from Southland is one of the best in the market. The tiller equipped with a powerful gas-powered engine.

It is a 196cc 4-cycle, 9.6 foot-pound OHV engine that pulverizes any soil type it contacts. The engine pulls 11-inch tines capable of providing 18-inch tilling width and 10-inch depth. However, a depth regulator allows you to adjust for your desired depth. The tines counter rotate to break ground faster. Even more interesting is the fact that the tines designed to self-sharpen. You will not need to dismount the tines to sharpen them as is common with other brands. The engine has manual recoil start located in a readily accessible part of the machine.

Such starter is convenient as it allows you to start the machine right away. The SRTT196 Rear tine tiller features an advanced and convenient gearing system. The system consists of a forward gear lever and a reverse lever.

It allows for forward and reverses tilling. The benefits of this gear system are far-reaching. Unlike models with single direction gear lever, you will not have to stop the machine to change direction. The tiller equipped with two large, garden type tires measuring 13-inches. The tires are pneumatic and are very versatile. They can handle any terrain, soil type, and any soil condition. The high-quality tires are great maneuverability.

Earthquake 24590 Victory Compact is a high-quality rear tine tiller to invest. It boasts of several great features that give it an edge over its competitors. Earthquake equipped this tine tiller to deliver an ultimate mix of power and size. It is because the machine offers full-size ability in a compact and sturdy frame. The compact size allows the tiller to fit into tight spaces between plant rows.

A powerful 212cc Viper 4-Cycle Engine fuels the Victory Compact for efficient tilling. Coupled with a reverse gear, the engine tills large tracks fast and efficiently. The machine delivers 8.85 feet-pound torque. Although powerful, you will find this machine very easy and simple to operate. The responsible features include single-handed control via a sod and balanced design. The tiller is an excellent performer. It fitted with the largest-in-class pneumatic tires.

The tires provide excellent traction and flotation on tilled soil. It improves maneuverability and results in a smoothly tilled ground. The balanced design also contributes to maneuverability and ease of operation. It is especially helpful when you are tilling between rows. The Victory features strong and durable construction with cast-iron, bronze gear transmission. Added to Earthquake brand’s 5-year limited warranty, It's an excellent front tine tiller will serve you for a long time.

The machine has fixed tilling depth of 10 inches and width of 16 inches. Husqvarna is a common household name. It is because many people associate the brand with high-quality products. One such product is the Husqvarna CRT900L 17-Inch Rear Tine Tiller. This machine provides you a wide range of features at the mid-range price.

Such features make this rear tine tiller one of the best in the market. A reliable 205cc Briggs & Stratton engine offers the machine the power for most tasks. This engine offers a tine rotation at a speed of 210 revolutions per minute. Such speeds guarantee fast tackling of virgin ground or even clay soil.

With a 3-quart gas tank, you will not have to stop to refuel the machine. The result is quick and convenient tilling.

The Husqvarna rototiller provides only reverse and forward gear option. It means you cannot adjust the tiller for power or speed. But the reverse gear offers easier tilling since you just walk back when you reach the end of the garden. It will eliminate the need to lift the machine up and turn it the opposite direction.

The tines counter-rotate for more efficient tilling. The BCS Tiller Rear Tine Tiller comes as a surprise inclusion in our top 5 rear tine tillers for good reasons.

Made by the giant manufacturer Honda, this tiller is a real workhorse. It fitted with sturdy tines that rotate at 20 rotations for each wheel revolution. A high-quality Honda motor delivers the power needed to pull the rear tines. Unlike most other rear tine tillers, the BCS GX340 has a feature that allows you to put the tines in a neutral position. This feature guarantees easy transportation of the machine.

The same feature also allows you to set the tiller in a reverse mode. You do not have to lift the BCS tiller at the margin of the garden to till in the opposite direction. The manufacturer inserted a break-up device.

This feature ensures the machine does not leave a strip of untilled soil. You can also use the same functionality to adjust the depth of tillage. While the BCS Tiller tines GX340 does not self-sharpen, replacement tines are available. The tiller weighs 275 pounds which is quite heavy. The machine has its safety witch and clutch located on the left side.

It creates a need to have large, strong left hand to operate them appropriately. The machine seems not to corner well. The Pony ES from Troy-Bilt is a great tine tiller you can use on your virgin garden. It delivers extreme power provided by1150 Series Briggs & Stratton 250cc Engine. This reliable engine operates a patented bronze gear transmission. The high-quality engine and the transmission guarantee you years of reliable performance.

With its forward rotating tines, the machine will shred even the most compacted soil fast. The tiller has a generous tilling width of 16 inches, and 12 inches is the tilling diameter.

The uniquely designed tines are right in slicing, chopping and turning the soil. The result finely milled garden soil. Some seeds thrive in deeper soil while others prefer shallower soils. A good tine tiller should thus feature an adjustable tilling depth. The Pony ES does not disappoint in this regard. To ease your work and improve maneuverability, the tiller comes with 13-inch tires.

The tires are pneumatic and well-trodden to enhance traction and flotation. Another feature of convenience is the electric start.

It means you just dial a button and the work begins. Pony ES has factory-installed front bumpers to offer steady and smooth operation. We can consider the engine of a machine its heart. Can anyone have a healthy and productive life with a faulty heart?

I guess you will answer in the negative. When looking for an ideal rear tine tiller to bring home, consider its engine.

You can choose between 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines. The 2-stroke or 2-cycle engines are louder and powerful. They tend to less efficient fuel efficient and less reliable. The 4-stroke engines operate quietly, more fuel efficient and very reliable. Such engines require you to mix oil with fuel.

This preserves engine life and boosts its fuel consumption. Most high-quality rear tine tiller engines have 4-stroke engines. Despite their inefficiency, 2-cycle engines can be very powerful. Tilling depth is the primary determinant of how fast you will complete your job. Rear tine tillers with the most significant tilling width work more quickly. It is because they will shred the most ground with each pass.

However, tillers with very wide tilling width may be difficult to control. It would be wise to go for a balance between with and your ability to control the machine. I would recommend a tilling width of between 17 inches and 18 inches. Many modern rear tine tiller models will feature adjustable tilling depth.

But, some models will dig deeper than others. The major determinant of tilling depth is the growth characteristic of each seed. Certain seeds may need very deep soil to grow well. It is, therefore, safe to buy a rear tine tiller with good depth. I would recommend 10 inches tilling depth. Manual start involves pulling a cord to start the engine. Most traditional rear tine tiller models feature manual start.

However, the modern models equipped with electric starters. The latter types allow you to start the engine with a simple push of a button. Compare two tine tillers of the same quality and capabilities. The one with electric starter will be hundreds of dollars more than the manually started one. The difference is the ease and convenience the electric starting model brings. Would you sacrifice hundreds of dollars for this simple feature?

The best rear rototiller in our case is the Southland SRTT196E Rear Tine Tiller with 196cc. This machine has all it takes to get the work done. Although affordable, the tiller has features and specifications only comparable to those of high-end models.

Its powerful and efficient 4-stroke OHV engine can take on any terrain and soil type. The tiller provides a whopping 10-inch tilling depth and 18-inch tilling width. These measurements are ideal for both small and medium size gardens. Besides, it features depth regulator which adds to its versatility. This rototiller has durable 11-inch counter-rotating tines that self-sharpen. Both features are for long-term optimal performance.

Roper Rear Tine Tiller Manual

Another great feature is the reverse gear. Thus you will not have to stop the machine and lift it to continue tilling from the end of your garden.

It's large 13-inch pneumatic tires guarantees superior maneuverability. The SRTT196E is genuinely the best tine tiller for the money. You better check it out. It is my conviction that this in-depth review of to 5 best tine tillers has proved helpful to you. Only a can handle all manner of terrain. It will not spare even rough, compact virgin ground.

These five are genuinely the market's best. They may have overlapping features but each is unique. All have powerful and efficient engines, excellent transmission and measurements. The review aimed to provide you with a starting point. If you do not like our picks simply use our buyer's guide to help you make an informed choice. Nonetheless, I guarantee you will love our choices.