Maintenance - Troy-Bilt TB146 Operator's Manual

WARNING:
To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs while the
unit is running. Always allow the unit to cool before servicing or repairing the unit.
Disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent the unit from starting accidentally.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Perform these required maintenance procedures at the frequency stated in the table. These
procedures should also be a part of any seasonal tune-up.
NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about
these procedures, take your unit to any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or
authorized service dealer.
NOTE: Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system may be
performed by any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer.
NOTE: Please read the California/EPA statement that came with the unit for a complete listing of
terms and coverage for the emissions control devices, such as the spark arrestor, muffler,
carburetor, etc.
FREQUENCY MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
Every 10 hours • Clean and re-oil the air filter. Refer to Maintaining the Air Filter.
• Change the oil. Refer to Changing the Oil.
After the first 10
• Check the rocker arm clearance. Refer to Checking the Rocker Arm
hours and every 40
Clearance.
hours
• Check the spark plug condition and gap. Refer to Maintaining the Spark Plug.
TINE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
WARNING:
To prevent serious personal injury, always wear heavy gloves when handling
the tines.
All tines should be replaced at the same time as they will wear evenly through normal use. Work on
one side at a time.
1. Make sure the unit is off.
NOTE: It may be necessary to lay the cultivator back in a horizontal
position on a flat level surface with the upper handle touching
the ground. It may also be necessary to wash any dirt off the
tines and shaft for ease of removal.
2. Remove the retainer from the clevis pin that is between the 2
outer tines (Fig. 11).
3. Remove the clevis pin and slide the tines off of the shaft (Fig. 11).
4. Clean and oil the shaft.
5. Slide on the new tines with the hubs facing each other (Fig. 10).
NOTE: Make sure the single tine goes on the tine shaft first with
the double tines on the outside and holes on the outer tines are
aligned with the outer hole on the shaft (Fig. 10).
6. Secure the new tines to the shaft by sliding the clevis pin into
the holes between the 2 outer tines (Fig. 11).
7. Insert the retainer into the clevis pin to secure the tines.
8. Repeat step 2 through 7 for the opposite side.
CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL
WARNING:
OVERFILLING THE CRANKCASE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL
INJURY. Check the oil level before each use. The importance of maintaining the proper oil
level cannot be overemphasized.
1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
2. Set the unit on a flat, level surface. Position the unit so that
the engine is horizontal (Fig. 12).
NOTE: Failure to keep the engine level may cause the oil to overfill.
3. Clean the area around the oil fill plug (Fig. 5) to prevent debris
from entering the oil fill hole.
4. Unscrew the oil fill plug.
5. Look into the oil fill hole; use a flashlight if necessary. The oil
level should just touch the bottom thread of the oil fill hole
(Fig. 13). If the oil level is too low, add oil to the oil fill hole until
the oil level touches the bottom thread of the oil fill hole.
NOTE: DO NOT overfill the crankcase.
6. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
7. Reinstall the oil fill plug.
NOTE: Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug (Fig. 5).
CHANGING THE OIL
Change the oil while the engine is still warm. The oil will flow freely
and carry away more impurities.
1. Clean the area around the oil fill plug (Fig. 5) to prevent debris
from entering the oil fill hole.
2. Unscrew the oil fill plug.
3. Tip the unit vertically to pour the oil out of the oil fill hole and
into a container (Fig. 14). Allow ample time for complete
drainage.
NOTE: Dispose of the old oil according to federal, state and local
regulations.
4. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
5. Pour 3.04 fl.oz. (90 ml) of SAE 30 SJ oil into the oil fill hole.
NOTE: DO NOT overfill. Refer to Checking the Oil Level.
NOTE: Use the empty oil bottle saved from the initial use to
measure the correct amount of oil. Fill the bottle to the top of
the label to approximate 3.04 fl.oz. (90 ml) of oil (Fig. 15).
6. Wipe up any oil that may have spilled.
7. Reinstall the oil fill plug.
NOTE: Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug (Fig. 5).

MAINTENANCE

Inner Tine Hubs
Tine Shaft
Fig. 10
Clevis Pin
Retainer
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Oil Fill
Hole
Bottom
Thread
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fill Line
Fig. 15
MAINTAINING THE AIR FILTER
WARNING:
before cleaning or maintaining the unit.
Failure to maintain the air filter can result in poor performance or can
cause permanent damage to the engine. Engine failure due to improper
air filter maintenance is not covered by the product warranty.
Cleaning the Air Filter
1. Open the air filter cover by unscrewing the cover screw (Fig. 16).
2. Remove the air filter from inside the air filter housing (Fig. 17).
3. Wash the air filter in detergent and water. Rinse the air filter
thoroughly and allow it to dry.
4. Lightly coat the air filter with clean SAE 30 oil.
5. Squeeze the air filter to spread and remove excess oil.
6. Reinstall the air filter inside the air filter housing (Fig. 17).
NOTE: Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter cover
will VOID the warranty.
7. Insert the hooks on the air filter housing into the slots on the air
filter cover (Fig. 17).
8. Swing the air filter cover to the left and align the cover screw
with the cover screw hole (Fig. 17). Tighten the cover screw to
secure the air filter cover.
NOTE: Do not over tighten as this may strip the screw.
ADJUSTING THE IDLE SPEED
WARNING:
and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage the unit. A
qualified service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.
If, after checking the fuel and cleaning the air filter, the engine still
Outer Tines will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:
1. Start the engine. Refer to Starting and Stopping.
2. Release the throttle control and let the engine idle. If the engine
stops, use a small Phillips screwdriver to turn the idle speed
screw clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the
Align Holes
engine idles smoothly (Fig. 18).
3. If the engine is idling too quickly, turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a
time (as needed) to reduce the idle speed (Fig. 18).
Checking the fuel, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine
problems. If not, and any of the following conditions are true, take the unit to a qualified service dealer:
• the engine will not idle
• the engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
• there is a loss of engine power
CHECKING THE ROCKER ARM CLEARANCE
This adjustment requires disassembly of the engine. If you feel
unsure or unqualified to perform this, take the unit to a qualified
service dealer.
The engine must be cold when checking or adjusting the rocker
arm clearance. This task should be performed inside, in a clean,
dust-free area.
1. Remove the 6 screws from the engine cover with a flat-head
screwdriver or T-25 Torx screwdriver (Fig. 19). Remove the
engine cover.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire.
3. Clean the area around the spark plug.
4. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder with a 5/8 in. socket,
turning counterclockwise.
5. Clean the rocker arm cover.
6. Remove the screw from the rocker arm cover with a flat-head
screwdriver or T-25 Torx screwdriver (Fig. 20). Remove the
rocker arm cover and gasket (Fig. 21).
7. Look into the spark plug hole (Fig. 20) and pull the starter rope
Maximum
slowly to move the piston. Make sure:
Oil Level
• The piston is at the top of its travel (top dead center)
• Both rocker arms move freely and both valves are closed
If these statements are not true, repeat this step.
8. Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance between one of
the valve stems and its corresponding rocker arm (Fig. 22).
Repeat this process for the other valve stem and rocker arm.
The recommended clearance is 0.003 – 0.006 in. (0.076 – 0.152
mm). Use a standard automotive 0.005 in. (0.127 mm) feeler
gauge. The feeler gauge should slide between the rocker arm
and valve stem with a slight amount of resistance, without
binding (Fig. 22).
9. If the clearance is not within specification:
a. Turn the adjusting nut with a 5/16 inch (8 mm) wrench or
nut driver (Fig. 22).
• To increase clearance, turn the adjusting nut
counterclockwise.
• To decrease clearance, turn the adjusting nut clockwise.
b. Recheck both clearances and adjust as necessary.
10. Install a new gasket and reinstall the rocker arm cover. Torque the screw to: 20–30 in•lb (2.2–3.4 N•m).
11. Inspect and reinstall the spark plug. Refer to Maintaining the Spark Plug.
12. Reconnect the spark plug wire.
13. Reinstall the engine cover. Check the alignment of the engine cover before tightening the screws.
Tighten the screws.
MAINTENANCE
To avoid serious personal injury, always stop the engine and allow it to cool
The tines may spin during idle speed adjustments. Wear protective clothing
Cover Screw
Air Filter
Cover
Fig. 16
Cover Screw
Air Filter Housing
Hole
Air Filter
Slots Hooks
Fig. 17
Idle Speed
Screw
Fig. 18
Screws
Screws
Fig. 19
Screw Rocker Arm
Cover
Spark Plug
Hole
Fig. 20
Gasket Adjusting Nuts
INTAKE
EXHAUST
Rocker Arms
Fig. 21
Adjusting
Feeler Guage
Nut
0.003 - 0.006 in.
(0.076 - 0.152 mm)
Valve
Stem
Fig. 22
5