zuiko_e1 0 #1 Posted October 8, 2009 I have a 1985 417-A, I recently aquired an old tiller for it. When I use the tiller, it barely scrapes the top soil. How do I get it to dig, I even tried it after a nice rain and it still just scrapes off the top. I cannot get it to dig into the ground. Please Help!! Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brentonkjohnson 0 #2 Posted October 8, 2009 Is your soil compacted clay like mine? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,116 #3 Posted October 8, 2009 Is the lift chain slack when you have lowered the tiller??? If not lengthen the chain. What do your tines look like are they badly worn (e.g. pointy ends???) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
92Pony 1 #4 Posted October 8, 2009 Also, does yours have the large helper spring running from the tiller to the rear of your tractor? When that was on mine, it was getting in the way and not allowing the tiller to drop all the way down (hard to explain). If you can, post a few pics of what's going on....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 652 #5 Posted October 8, 2009 Photo's would be a help. Might be as pointed out, Worn and Dull Tines, not enough Slack in the chain, or any number of other little things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuiko_e1 0 #6 Posted October 10, 2009 My soil is a hard clay (loam), and my tines are rounded, an older farmer here told me the tines looked good to him. Also a mechanic told me that I was not getting full RPMs due to a bad throttle cable. Could the RPM issue be a big factor in this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bitten 133 #7 Posted October 10, 2009 Hello Yes you want full RPM to run your tiller. Look to see if the problem is anything that was said before. You might want to try lowering it in one place and holding the tractor still and see if it will dig down and then useing that as a starting place. After it has a good start then try moving forward and see if that helps. Good luck, P.J. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Fanatic 49 #8 Posted October 13, 2009 Make sure the tiller tines are not reversed which would make them face backwards. Don't laugh, I've seen it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites