April 20, 2023

Tiller repair guides

Get your garden tiller back in shape by following the step-by-step instructions in these repair guides to replace worn and broken parts. Find DIY troubleshooting and tips in the tiller repair help section to get the most out of your garden tiller.

This expert advice covers major tiller brands such as Craftsman, Husqvarna, MTD and Poulan. Search your model number to find a complete list of replacement parts for your tiller, then order the part you need.

tiller

Repair guides common to all tillers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your tiller.

How to replace a tiller recoil starter

The recoil starter spins the engine when you pull the starter rope, and the rope retracts when released. If the recoil starter assembly is broken, follow the steps in this repair guide to replace it.

Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less

Repair guides for front-tine tillers

How to replace the tines on a front-tine tiller

Badly worn tines diminish the tilling results. If the tines are bent, dull or worn, follow these steps to replace the tines on a front-tine tiller.

Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less

Repair guides for rear-tine tillers

How to replace a tiller drive belt

The drive belt connects the engine to the transmission, which drives the tines and wheels. If the drive belt is worn and slipping, follow these steps to replace the drive belt.

Repair difficulty
Time required
15 minutes or less
How to replace the tines on a rear-tine tiller

Badly worn tines cut through the soil less effectively. If the tines are bent, dull or worn, follow these steps to replace the tines on a rear-tine tiller.

Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less

Symptoms common to all tillers

Choose a symptom to see related tiller repairs.

Main causes: broken shaft clevis pins, transmission failure
Main causes: dirty carburetor, engine needs tune up, stale gas
Main causes: leaky engine head gasket, damaged sump gasket, damaged oil drain plug seal, loose or cracked fuel line, leaky carburetor seal
Main causes: carburetor failure, bad gasoline, dirty spark plug, broken recoil starter
Main causes: damaged tines, broken clevis pins, worn drive belt, faulty transmission, clutch cable problems, improper depth-stake setting
Main causes: worn or broken drive belts, bad transmission, clutch cable problems
Main causes: clutch cable problems, faulty transmission

Articles and videos common to all tillers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your tiller.

August 30, 2022

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.

December 28, 2018

Find the right carburetor assembly for a Craftsman snowblower, tiller or log splitter

Find the right carburetor assembly for a Craftsman snowblower, tiller or log splitter

This chart will help you find the right carburetor for your Craftsman snowblower, tiller or log splitter.

November 01, 2015

Tiller common questions

Tiller common questions

These frequently asked questions might help you figure out what's wrong with your garden tiller.