Craftman Tiller Model # 9172933311 doesn't go into ground. Tines skirt over grass instead of digging into ground and removing grass.

mike, the tines should be square. not sharp. if you sharpen them like a lawn mower blade it will dig better but will wear out the tines very quick.

-Check the locking bolt that hold the tine shaft to the main shaft. Possibly it's broken. If so replace new bolt. you should be good to go again.


Good Luck


mai

Push down a little on the handle so the tines are not as far in the ground and also push forward a little.

Are your tines installed in the right direction. I have the same tiller in my arsenal and it cuts the soil just fine; even with sod in place. FYI!

MAKE TWO PASSES SET THE DEPTH GUIDE SO IT JUST BREAKS THE GROUND, DON'T TRY TO DO IT ALL AT ONCE. SOON AS THE GROUND IS LOOSE IT WILL DIG MUCH BETTER.. IT SHOULD HAVE A FORWARD AND REVERSE FOR THE TINES, GEARS FOR FORWARD REVERSE DRIVE

If it is a rear-tine tiller (tines behind the wheels), that's the way it is supposed to work.

Hi there kimberly,

Here's what you need to do.

• Make sure the depth stake (behind the tines) is up as high as it will go. This will allow the tines to go deeper.
• Fire it up. Set the tine rotation to reverse (more mixing and twisting.
  
• Make sure the tines are actually turning, Each side is held in place with a shear pin. In case something binds the blades, this pin breaking will save the drive train
  
• Note how the tiller is balanced. Wheels in the middle. You can tilt it forwards or backwards.
  
• Tilting forward allows the wheels to gain traction and move the unit forward
• Tilting Backwards allows the tines to dig in. If the surface is too hard, Press down with your body weight. It will dig through.
• 
  

I hope this work out for ya

Best regards
Mike

Hello, I think if you look at the depth setting bar you will find it clogged up with grass and roots. Once it clumps up you can't get it to drop to depth to make the cut. There are two speeds for the rear times for the toller which will make it go forward more slowly and allow the dirt clods to break up better. Also cut the grass as short as you can, make a shallow pass with the tiller 1" to 2 " to cut the heads off the roots and then go to depth with your next cut. This should pretty much break up the cloding when doing the tilling. Also watch it because it is hits a rock it will jump up and drag you away at the speed of the tines, because it lifts the drive wheels off the ground and the times drive the tiller instead. Other than that mine used to chew up everything including wet DG. Good Luck, RAC

Usually this means you are trying to dig too deep in one pass. Try setting the depth such that your first pass only scratches the surface, dislodging grass, etc. Then, on successive passes dig 1-2 inches, this will prevent the tines from "biting off more than they can chew" and holding back the machine. It will take about 4 passes to till one tiller width in "loose"(garden) soil and possibly more elsewhere. Hope that helps.