I have a craftsman 5.5HP 14 inch rear tine tiller that has never really worked well. When I engage the tines the machine has a tendency to slip out of drive. The guy at Sears told me that it would cost me more than it was worth to fix . I paid just over six hundred dollars for it brand new just two years ago. The model number is 917.293470. Is there any way that I can fix this problem myself?

Steve King, May 2008

how do I remove the muffler from my 3 hp, 17 inch craftsman rototiller? I have the funny looking nut loose, and the muffler spins as much as it is able, but won't come off. Do I loosen some bolts? Or pull harder? Thanks,

Ida, September 2011

recoil starter assembly rewind rope broke
hoe to install new rope, so the rope rewinds

Dan, April 2010

I have the same problem "Tim" reported on a tiller from about the same year (1992). I will try his solution of adding grease (but through the fitting on the transmission). Tiller tines run when off the ground and it will run in F or R. The engine has always been very easy to start. Tiller has always jumped out of drive with very little tilling resistance. Anyone have other ideas to solve this short of tearing down or replacing the transmission.

Bud, April 2009

The starting cord is hard to pull

Billy Byrd, April 2009

The cord is hard to pull and it wants to kick back.

Billy Byrd, April 2009

I've got the same tiller. It worked great the first season, then the same thing happened to me. When I opened the tranny gear box, there wasn"t any grease. Some of the gears were a little chewed. I replaced some gears, at sears price, about $100. and closed it up, then packed it full of grease. Its been good now for 6 years.

tim, June 2008