To get the best performance and longevity from the rotary tiller, you need to properly maintain it. You also need to be aware of some of the dangers involved in using a tiller, and take steps to protect yourself and others.

You will need to maintain the engine on your tiller carefully. Because your tiller operates in dust and dirt, oil and filter changes are more critical than for lawn fertilizers and most other lawn and garden machines. At the very minimum, you should change the oil after 50 hours of use or at least once a year. If the oil looks dirty, change it oftener. Keep any grease fittings properly lubricated. Check the oil in the gearcase or chaincase and add as needed. Your air cleaner will need to be cleaned or replaced often – perhaps as often as after 1-2 hours of use in dusty conditions. Occasionally, you will need to blow or brush the dust and dirt out of the cooling fins on the engine and flywheel.

One of the most important things you can do for your tiller is to keep it clean. Wash the tiller, particularly the tines and housing, after each use. For continued effectiveness, you will need to replace the tines when they become worn down. You may occasionally need to adjust the control linkages – see your owner’s manual for instructions. Your tires should be maintained at the recommended pressure.

Like many pieces of lawn and garden equipment, tillers are used seasonally and then stored for the winter. Prior to storage it is a good idea to change the oil. You should either run the gasoline tank dry or fill it with fresh gas containing a stabilizer. Check the spark plug and regap or replace if needed. If you are going to store the tiller for several months, it is a good idea to squirt a teaspoonful or so of clean engine oil into the spark plug hole and then pull the starter rope to rotate the crankshaft a time or two before replacing the spark plug. Be sure to use a torque wrench to tighten the spark plugs. Many small engine heads are made of aluminum and it is very easy to strip the threads when tightening the moto mower spark plug. Clean or replace the air filter. Check the oil in the gearcase or chaincase and refill. Be sure the tiller is clean before storage, and then store it out of the weather. Be sure it is not stored in direct sunlight, as the UV light will degrade the tires.