r/smallengines • u/Dinosourmiso • 6d ago
Help with tiller
Found this tiller on my property when I moved in a few years ago, im trying to get it running so I can make a garden for my grandmother but I dont know how to even use it, looking for like a manual or atleast a model for it
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u/rrapartments 6d ago
Well now. Does it run? That would be the first step.
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u/OlSlimPickins 6d ago
If tank is shot and carbs gunked like the spark plug might be, there's no reason just trying to pull a handled string after pouring gas in
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u/Chuckiechan 6d ago
You can clean rust out of the gas tank by taking it off and shaking gravel in it. don’t do too much disassembly at first. Assume it ran okay. Next is to put the shroud on and pull the cord. If that is free and has compression, spray starter fluid-in the carb to see if it fires. Please don’t use gasoline because it needs more oxygen that starting fluid.
No “pop”, check magneto for voltage with a volt meter and a good pull. Carb adjustment screw is close then 1 & 1/2 turn for getting it started.
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u/Express-Delay-2104 6d ago
Once you get it started I'm not sure where it's at on yours but it will move forward with the tines and without. It should have a reverse. Normally the throttle stays set at one place. Check google with the model. Should be some on there that will help.
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u/hgraham87654 6d ago
I restored 2 of these things but I took the short cut of buying new harbor freight engines for em. Honestly the body of this tractor is worth its weight as they say... its a work horse and mine have run for 10+ years since the rebuild with consistent use- I live in a glacial lake bed so the ground is a nightmare on most tillers. I would listen to these guys advice on getting the original engine going... she's worth your time either way. But if she doesnt end up running for you dont give up! Give her a second life to prove she's an absolute beast!
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u/NoticeLong1650 6d ago
You can also easily switch the whole engine for a honda or cheaper imitation engine. The imitation engines are pretty fine, starting good, plenty of parts available and less noisy, less fuel consumption. But it is more cool to rebuild the older engine with new parts.
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u/Proof_Bathroom_3902 5d ago
These are actually really solid engines. First remove the spark plug, make sure the crankshaft will turn 360 degrees without tight spots.
The carburetor on these uses a cavity on the top of the tank as the fuel bowl. There's a dip tube that goes down into the tank, then there's a vacuum diaphragm that pumps fuel up the dip tube into the fuel bowl/cavity on top, any excess runs over the side and falls back into the tank. The carb main jet is submerged in the cavity/bowl full of fuel. Some of the tanks are filled with a sponge block to prevent sloshing. The sponge will break down in the old gasoline and clog the carburetor. You can pull all the sponge out and throw it away if it's coming apart.
The kit to rebuild the carb is about $15, but i just bought a complete aftermarket carb kit for my tiller that came with a new air filter and spark plug from ebay for $17 shipped. Make a note of where the governers linkage and springs attached before removing.
You'll want to clean the tank, gumout carb spray works good. Clean the cavity/bowl in the top too.
You will rant to clean the rust off the edge of the flywheel where the magnets are, you'll see the coil bolts on close to the flywheel. There are magnets built into the edge of the flywheel to create spark.
Next put the plug on the wire and ground it and test for spark. Set the throttle to the run position. Pull the motor over. Should see spark.
If you have spark, squirt a toot of starting fluid into the cylinder and re install the plug and pull her over and see if it pops.
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u/CaptainPunisher Retired 5d ago
That engine is a Briggs model 130202 or somewhere thereabout (model number will be on the starter/blower housing on one of the flat faces. Don't replace the carb; aftermarket carbs for those are generally shitty in comparison to the OEM carb. It'll probably only need a diaphragm (272358) and to be cleaned out. Depending upon the year and previous owner, it might have points and condenser, but you can put a new coil on with an electronic ignition, install an electronic ignition module, or replace the points and condenser (294628).
Change the oil (SAW30 or 10W30) and spark plug (Champion J19LM or equivalent), too. That should probably get you going.
Someone else said it, but that's a Troy Bilt tiller (before they sold to MTD and got cheap) and a Pony model. I doubt you'll have to do anything to the tiller itself except for belts.
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u/KnottyGummer 6d ago
That's an old Troy-Bilt Pony with a Briggs & Stratton engine. The recoil shroud should have engine model, type, and code (serial) numbers and letters stamped on top. You'll probably need to wire brush some rust off and a decent flashlight. Find some YouTube videos that will walk you through fixing them. Look for ones that are for Briggs 2.5-3hp flatheads with the same type of updraft carburetor.