Tiller bearings

[RayS 79]

Just wondering on the 36" tiller (990503) does the case need to be split to change the tine shaft bearings or can it be done without splitting the case? Are the nuts that are inside the case that hold the pillow block in place welded to the case? Thanks for any help.

[SmilinSam 3,940]

I never split the case when I replaced the bearings on one I had a long while back. The nuts must be fastened to the back of the case plate somehow because the bolts went in and out just fine. Its the tine shafts that gave me fits. Soaked them repeatedly, tried heat. Heated them to cherry red and still wouldnt budge. Ended up repeatedly heating and beating them off. Completely ruined one side in the process. Managed to weld it up and re -use it with a slight wobble to it. Wasnt interested in paying over $100 for a new shaft. Got a used one now to replace it with when I decide to take the time.

[RayS 79]

Thanks Sam. Once you got the tine shafts off was the bearing pretty easy to get off? Thanks for the help. Ray

[SmilinSam 3,940]

I think there are a couple of eccentric lock collars you have to get off. Seems I had trouble with removing those too. I think the bearings were the easiexst removal of the whole operation. My overall experience was enough to last a lifetime. Hopefully yours will be better..

[lboy1971 0]

Is there a cheaper place to buy the bearings than Simplicity?

[RayS 79]

I bought mine at a bearing supply store the numbers are on the box. $13.00 each.

[RayS 79]

Thanks Sam for the help. I got it finished. I tried heating and beating to no end. Finally decided since I had 4 or 5 extra sets of tineshafts that I would cut the tineshafts off of this tiller and then cut along the top of the keyway with my sawsall. That approach worked great and now I have it back together.