I am really glad I clicked on this video. I just purchased a 48" 3 point tiller for my much smaller 1984 John Deere 430 Diesel garden tractor. I pick it up this week. I fully restored the tractor to nearly new condition a year ago. I went with a chain drive tiller vs a gear drive unit in case I ever have to work on it. As simple as that was and seeing how slow it actually turns gives me confidence that I made the right choice. Can't you off set the tiller to one side to cover your tire? As far as your leak. I have seen guys with older equipment have seals that leak like in your case and they will pump that entire assembly with grease and it does the trick every time. I'm not saying you should do that! lol I have seen it work though.
Yes, I do offset the tiller all the way. It doesn't quite cover the tire, but pretty close: th-cam.com/video/Po9YSSLZKeU/w-d-xo.html Thanks for sharing!
Alan my soil was like yours. I continued putting wood chips and cotton seed hulls in it and braking it under and I continue to do it I have best soil it's like walking on the moon really fine. You can build it up.
I have used wood chips and hay, etc. over the years and transformed my hard red clay soil to a rich black loam. It really works. Thanks for the comment.
I think I got my parts through Everything Attachments. They sell Sicma tillers and handle parts for them. www.everythingattachments.com/Phoenix-Rotary-Tillers-s/10501.htm I had to CALL THEM to order the Parts. Hope that helps.
Pretty sure I bought this at “Everything Attachments“. I think they are out of business now. You’ll just have to do some research and find someone who sells sigma parts. Wish I could help more.
Any idea where to get a replacement chain? My master link broke, but I assume I should replace it all. Either way, I cannot find either the chain or the master link.
Hi there I have a similar Howard rotavator and her seal leaks in the same place what we did with ours is put a small air vent on the top of the side cover and left it and just filled the gear box we use our 70 inch one for about 20 a year sometime more and haven't yet had a problem with it.
Man, that's a great idea to keep the side cover cool so the oil won't expand. How do you keep grease/oil in the gearbox... and in the shaft that drives the chain?
the have a lucas product with leak sealer in it. I have used it many times. Napa or any auto parts place has it. they have synthetic and regular. That seal is probably a barren seal. Tranny, engine, etc. I don't see it as a problem. just more lubrication for the chain components. It won't get hot with the amount of work you will use it for.
I just watched your last video and commented how similar your Sicma is to my Kioti. Another difference with the tensioner is that on mine, the tensioner arm is simply a bent piece of 1/2" (?) rod. It seems to work before I broke the chain... I ran it without the slip clutch but fortunately I didn't damage the PTO. Are you running a slip clutch on your PTO shaft? I would also note that your chain seems to have a lot more slack than mine. It may be time to replace your chain if it is stretched.
Mine does not have a slip clutch either. I only use this for maybe an hour or so per year, so even if it is a little stretched... maybe it'll last a few more years 🙏😎
A tiny bit of brake fluid in the gear lube will swell the rubber on the seal slightly and may stop or slow the leak. Also, I think you are overfilling the gearbox. The oil level should be about level with the bottom of the tube. Gear lube travels down the spinning shaft to lubricate the bearings when running, similar to the rear end in a car. Gear cases are designed to lubricate by that slinging action of the sticky lube rather than being bathed in the oil constantly.
It's got a vent on the side, but it doesn't seem to be working It's not the cost of the $10 seal. It's the labor involved (and the fact that i don't know what i'm doing) And ... I only use it a couple of hours each year
I think I ordered it from Messicks or Everything Attachments... I really don't remember. But... I called and talked to the parts guy and made sure it was the right one before I ordered. Also, he sent me a diagram of the guts of the tiller, and everything looked correct. This tiller was made in Italy, so I was skeptical about finding the part. Hope that helps, alan
I would fill the chain box up with oil the reason for the space from the factory is room for hot air to expand but with the seal bad the pressure will just go through the gear box no chain has ever been damaged by too much oil
over full will bust the gear box when it gets hot from use. pull gear and grab a seal at any parts house. probably 5 bucks or less. just my 2 cents. good video.
Personally, I do not think a tiller has enough rpms to worry about having too much oil in the chain case. Adding a synthetic would increase cost, BUT the wearing on the sprockets, chain, and bearings would be much less.
Consider yourself lucky. I've got the same hoe, but I've broken the axle (50mm diam. by hitting tree stumps) at the point where it goes into the lower bearing. The lower cog is floating in mid air. A much bigger problem and a much costlier repair I'm currently looking to fix. Will probably take the rotary how to a Howard workshop.
Broom straw chopped up with your pocket knife and inserted into the top gearbox will slow if not stop that leak. Ive seen a few bush hog gearbox leaks cured like this. And before the keyboard warriors tell us how that will cause this or that remember this is an old tiller. Its a free fix that DOES work well.
@TexasPrepper2 - Thicker gear oil 'may' cause extra heat, which 'may' or 'may not' cause problems. The over filling of the chain and gears will cause aeration and foaming of the gear oil, ruining the oil and that 'may' cause extra wear. The somewhat cheap, but time consuming fix is to replace the seal. The farmer fix is to fill the oil at the level it needs to be in both reservoirs. Then before using the 'tiller, raise it up on the tractor's 3-point system and clean the outer side chain case where you could eat off it. Place a very clean oil drain pan underneath the overflow/level bolt. Remove the overflow/level bolt and let the extra fluid drain into the clean drain pan. Replace the overflow bolt. Next remove the fill bolt on the top gear box. Put a funnel in the top gear box fill hole and pour in the clean gear from the clean drain pan. Replace the fill bolt. Doing it that way you hardly waste any gear oil and the levels stay where they should while you use the 'tiller. Of course you will need to do this every time you use the 'tiller, but if I heard you right, that's only twice a year.
The more oil you add to a gearbox the hotter the oil will become. By filling the gearbox completely full, the oil cannot breathe. You have bearing in the transfer case that will not stand the heat you will put out. Best thing and cheapest thing to do, is replace the lip seal. A $5.00 part could save you $400 in a transfer case rebuild!
I am really glad I clicked on this video. I just purchased a 48" 3 point tiller for my much smaller 1984 John Deere 430 Diesel garden tractor. I pick it up this week. I fully restored the tractor to nearly new condition a year ago. I went with a chain drive tiller vs a gear drive unit in case I ever have to work on it. As simple as that was and seeing how slow it actually turns gives me confidence that I made the right choice. Can't you off set the tiller to one side to cover your tire? As far as your leak. I have seen guys with older equipment have seals that leak like in your case and they will pump that entire assembly with grease and it does the trick every time. I'm not saying you should do that! lol I have seen it work though.
Yes, I do offset the tiller all the way.
It doesn't quite cover the tire, but pretty close: th-cam.com/video/Po9YSSLZKeU/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much for going to the effort to produce this video for us.
Glad to help :)
Fill it with corn head grease. Specially made for seal less gearboxes. Also called 00 grease.
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Alan my soil was like yours. I continued putting wood chips and cotton seed hulls in it and braking it under and I continue to do it I have best soil it's like walking on the moon really fine. You can build it up.
I have used wood chips and hay, etc. over the years and transformed my hard red clay soil to a rich black loam. It really works. Thanks for the comment.
Sicma Rotavator chain no available in any web plzz tell me where I find chain nd tensioner
I think I got my parts through Everything Attachments.
They sell Sicma tillers and handle parts for them.
www.everythingattachments.com/Phoenix-Rotary-Tillers-s/10501.htm
I had to CALL THEM to order the Parts.
Hope that helps.
Ive got a 5’ howard rotavator and cant find parts for it. Where did you find the parts? Thanks for sharing.
Pretty sure I got them at Everything Attachments
You can find them online
@@BIGALTX thanks! I’ve ordered from them before. Will give them a jingle
Thank you for the video. I happen to need a chain cover for my sigma. Can you tell me where to buy one??
Pretty sure I bought this at “Everything Attachments“.
I think they are out of business now.
You’ll just have to do some research and find someone who sells sigma parts.
Wish I could help more.
Any idea where to get a replacement chain? My master link broke, but I assume I should replace it all. Either way, I cannot find either the chain or the master link.
I think I got this from www.everythingattachments.com/
Call the parts dept. and ask...
Hi there I have a similar Howard rotavator and her seal leaks in the same place what we did with ours is put a small air vent on the top of the side cover and left it and just filled the gear box we use our 70 inch one for about 20 a year sometime more and haven't yet had a problem with it.
Man, that's a great idea to keep the side cover cool so the oil won't expand.
How do you keep grease/oil in the gearbox... and in the shaft that drives the chain?
Hello from Argentina, I have a similar cultivator, could you tell me how many teeth the chain has?
No, sorry.
I don’t remember
the have a lucas product with leak sealer in it. I have used it many times. Napa or any auto parts place has it. they have synthetic and regular. That seal is probably a barren seal. Tranny, engine, etc. I don't see it as a problem. just more lubrication for the chain components. It won't get hot with the amount of work you will use it for.
Has the Lucas sealer worked for you?
Yes for several applications. email me so we can get in contact with each other. about page on our youtube channel
I just watched your last video and commented how similar your Sicma is to my Kioti. Another difference with the tensioner is that on mine, the tensioner arm is simply a bent piece of 1/2" (?) rod. It seems to work before I broke the chain... I ran it without the slip clutch but fortunately I didn't damage the PTO. Are you running a slip clutch on your PTO shaft? I would also note that your chain seems to have a lot more slack than mine. It may be time to replace your chain if it is stretched.
Mine does not have a slip clutch either.
I only use this for maybe an hour or so per year, so even if it is a little stretched... maybe it'll last a few more years 🙏😎
A tiny bit of brake fluid in the gear lube will swell the rubber on the seal slightly and may stop or slow the leak. Also, I think you are overfilling the gearbox. The oil level should be about level with the bottom of the tube. Gear lube travels down the spinning shaft to lubricate the bearings when running, similar to the rear end in a car. Gear cases are designed to lubricate by that slinging action of the sticky lube rather than being bathed in the oil constantly.
Hmmmm... good point.
so 10.00 seal ? a work around could be a vent at the top of the case to prevent the other seals from blowing out due to a overfilled case
It's got a vent on the side, but it doesn't seem to be working
It's not the cost of the $10 seal.
It's the labor involved (and the fact that i don't know what i'm doing)
And ... I only use it a couple of hours each year
Finally got me a tiller a yanmar rs1200 it'd gear drive instead of chain has oil in it plus the gear box to its all has oil
Nice
I'll check out that model :)
WHERE DID YOU FIND THE TENSIONER SPRING?
NOT FINDING ANY WHERE ON WEB
I think I ordered it from Messicks or Everything Attachments... I really don't remember.
But... I called and talked to the parts guy and made sure it was the right one before I ordered.
Also, he sent me a diagram of the guts of the tiller, and everything looked correct.
This tiller was made in Italy, so I was skeptical about finding the part.
Hope that helps,
alan
Lucas makes products to seal many auto related leaks. Could have one for your need.
I would fill the chain box up with oil the reason for the space from the factory is room for hot air to expand but with the seal bad the pressure will just go through the gear box no chain has ever been damaged by too much oil
over full will bust the gear box when it gets hot from use. pull gear and grab a seal at any parts house. probably 5 bucks or less. just my 2 cents. good video.
Thank you sir. I'll strongly consider that :)
How to change bearing
Personally, I do not think a tiller has enough rpms to worry about having too much oil in the chain case. Adding a synthetic would increase cost, BUT the wearing on the sprockets, chain, and bearings would be much less.
Consider yourself lucky.
I've got the same hoe, but I've broken the axle (50mm diam. by hitting tree stumps) at the point where it goes into the lower bearing.
The lower cog is floating in mid air.
A much bigger problem and a much costlier repair I'm currently looking to fix. Will probably take the rotary how to a Howard workshop.
Ouch... that sounds expensive!
Broom straw chopped up with your pocket knife and inserted into the top gearbox will slow if not stop that leak. Ive seen a few bush hog gearbox leaks cured like this. And before the keyboard warriors tell us how that will cause this or that remember this is an old tiller. Its a free fix that DOES work well.
I put some Lucas stop leak in it yesterday and ran it for a few minutes.
I measured the oil level... we'll see what happens.
140 will increase heat in gearbox......watch temps
@TexasPrepper2 - Thicker gear oil 'may' cause extra heat, which 'may' or 'may not' cause problems.
The over filling of the chain and gears will cause aeration and foaming of the gear oil, ruining the oil and that 'may' cause extra wear.
The somewhat cheap, but time consuming fix is to replace the seal.
The farmer fix is to fill the oil at the level it needs to be in both reservoirs. Then before using the 'tiller, raise it up on the tractor's 3-point system and clean the outer side chain case where you could eat off it. Place a very clean oil drain pan underneath the overflow/level bolt. Remove the overflow/level bolt and let the extra fluid drain into the clean drain pan. Replace the overflow bolt. Next remove the fill bolt on the top gear box. Put a funnel in the top gear box fill hole and pour in the clean gear from the clean drain pan. Replace the fill bolt.
Doing it that way you hardly waste any gear oil and the levels stay where they should while you use the 'tiller. Of course you will need to do this every time you use the 'tiller, but if I heard you right, that's only twice a year.
Great idea!
I'm going to try some "stop leak" first, but I'll definitely keep your idea as a backup.
For as little as it's used, I'd go with that.
The more oil you add to a gearbox the hotter the oil will become. By filling the gearbox completely full, the oil cannot breathe. You have bearing in the transfer case that will not stand the heat you will put out. Best thing and cheapest thing to do, is replace the lip seal. A $5.00 part could save you $400 in a transfer case rebuild!
I see you did some welding also :)
Run it I wish I could find one I found one for $300 tines wore all the way out there like $400 and it's to heavy for mu yanmar 155d
they can get expensive for sure
Not a problem some rotovator don't have seal
good to know... thanks
Chain rotavator yanmar
Actuly the oil make it last longer
You should have ordered new tiller tines... Those are all worn out...
I use it only one or two hours each year.
It would be a waste of $ and effort to put new tines on it, I think.
Lucas Oil
tension er is on the wrong side.
This is how it was designed.
Lucas booster&stop leak
I put some in it yesterday and ran it for a while... measured the level and will check again to see if it worked.
That gear is worn as shit