I really appreciate the video ! It helped me decide whether I wanted a front tine or a rear tine Champion tiller. If I were younger and wanted a work-out I'd get the front tine and save a few bucks, but at 67 the rear tine is the way to go. Given what I need to do with it, I couldn't justify the higher price tag of similar machines. Excellent point about the gear oil. Had I not watched this video I would have never checked and it would have been well on its way to ruin before I finally figured things out. Mine arrives in a few days and as soon as I get it put together that's the first thing I'll be checking ! Nothing worse than to buy a new tool and ruin it in the first few hours. Now, if you want a funny video, I could video myself trying to assemble this beast, but I'd never be brave enough to post it here ! Thanks again !
Thank you very much. And yeah, a front tine tiller will beat you up. I'm not sure how complete they are shipped..hopefully you won't have much assembly to do. Honestly, I would love to see a video on the assembly of one, funny or not. I think that would be very good and informative. Mine was a floor model. Only thing I had to do was turn the tires so the tread was the right direction and check fluids.
Bought a champion generator throughout our hurricane season it ran like a champ and still does, just bought a champion tiller still in the crate! Can't wait to put it together and get it running got a great deal on it on market place on Facebook $350 never used, Now they cost $899 I hear. Thanks on the reviews on this item. Never knew champion actually made tillers was looking for a toro as well. Sounds like I hit it lucky. 😊
I bought one of these off FB Marketplace for 400.00. Evidently HD dumped them for 199.00 to several distributors that they liquidated to. I am tilling a new piece of ground that is a mess but this thing will power thru the stuff. I have had to stop several times to clear the tines of briars and vines, etc. I've figured out to just take the tines off to make it easy. I'm calling Champion tomorrow to see if there is a way to register it after buying from a second party. Would buy this again especially at the price I paid and there are still a lot of people that have these things on FB.
I'm seeing the Champion and even more of the "Legend Force" tillers on FB (all new in crate) mostly selling in the $400-450 range. Those appear to be identical tillers excepting for the engines (and color/decals). My 7500 watt Champion gas generator has been 100% reliable for 8 years albiet it's only run every few months for 10 minutes as my whole house standby power source.
I just picked one of these up a couple weeks ago.. I didn't want to buy it either honestly.. It was the same situation as you.. It was the last tiller in stock and I needed to get my potatoes planted.. I paid $599 for mine.. I think the troy bilt I wanted was $1200.. I'm glad I ended up with this tiller instead of the troy built now.. I added a new 60x60 plot to my garden this year.. I think it took me a little over 3 hours and the tiller didn't miss a beat.. This thing is an absolute beast.. My buddy just bought the troy bilt I wanted and it's a piece of junk.. It feels cheap and flimsy compared to the Champion.. I wish you could select what direction you wanted the tines to spin, but it's not a huge deal really.. I have heavy clay soil also and it chewed right thru it no problem..
I couldn't agree more. I would buy this unit again after owning it. I also wish you could change the tine direction but that is a minor thing for me. It's great to hear from someone that was in basically the same situation as we were. 👍👍
Sorry no. it has forward and reverse in which the tines move either direction. but it order to free wheel it, you have to remove the pin and slide the tires inward. i never move the tires lol. i just motor it around to where i need it or am storing it. thanks for watching.
Thank you for noting the jelly like trans fluid. Mine was the same, and it surprised me there was no info. This unit calls for 85w 140, not grease. I looked far and wide and found you did mention in the video, more than I can say for any others. I also read more than a few that had the trans fail. I would think grown adults would check ALL fluids in ANY powered product they own before EVER using. I may be be a weird Dude but...wow....
Tillers are hard to find this year. I have seen a few front tine ones, but no rear tine ones at the stores. I have an old one that is getting too heavy for me. I would like to get a smaller one, but no luck in finding any at all.
The transmissions in these call for 0 or 00 weight grease. It's grease that flows and it is hard to find. It is common as you run the tiller for the factory grease to works its way to the rear tine gear box. When this happens the grease level drops and the factory tells you you can use a very thick gear oil like 80w140 to top it off. Because it's not enough to make much of a difference. But if you need to change the grease in the transmission for some reason and you are refilling it do not use gear oil! Only use 0 or 00 weight grease for a refill. ua-cam.com/video/eVwmn3SS8AI/v-deo.html
Wait, so the jelly like stuff in the differential is not what's supposed to be in there? I just got mine yesterday and I was looking at that but there's nothing on the manual that says we need to add anything into it. The only thing I saw was the labels for the engine oil. Mine came straight from champion in a pallet box. I'm curious to know now because I don't want to damage it.
Mine wasn't close to full with the jelly stuff. I can't remember without looking but I'm sure it says on the machine what weight gear lube to use. I I filled it with that gear lube to an appropriate level. Can't remember if there is a dipstick there or just a plug lol. If just a plug, I filled it to where I could see it about an inch down. Hope that helps
Mine just arrived today and has the same issue. Ordered from Tractor Supply, and it arrived in a pallet box straight from Champion. The package included a bottle of motor oil but no gear oil. I pulled the gear oil dipstick and it's dry. Looked inside with a flashlight and I can see something oily in the bottom, but not sure if it's gear oil or the jelly-like stuff you described. Either way, it's far below the safe gear oil level. I registered my machine with Champion this evening and emailed them to ask whether a bottle of gear oil should have been included. Either they forgot to include a bottle, or their assembly QA process is missing a crucial step.
@@Matthew.Lanahan oh man, that concerning for sure. I know mine has that jelly like stuff in there too. But it looked like it was full. The only space I saw was where the dipstick was at, but I'll have to look at it more closely tomorrow and make sure that there's enough stuff in there, especially after using it for 4hrs straight today. I might have to email champion as well and ask them to clarify this. Thank you for sharing your experience and hopefully you'll get an answer soon.
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare thank you. Mine has a sticker on it with the the style of gear oil it needs. I can't remember what it is but I think it said 85w-140 or something like that.
Would this tiller handle breaking new ground? I'm in the upstate of South Carolina. Lots of clay.. I'm planting my front yard with Zoysia plugs. Probably 6000 sq ft. I saw these at HD for $550. I can't justify $1000+ for a tiller unless it's amazing.
Where I am in oklahoma we have allot of red clay. That being said, where I was tilling, is the softest part of my yard. That is why I tilled there. For the new ground, I started at half way on the depth gauge for the first pass then dripped it to the lowest for the second pass. After that, I use only the lowest when I retill it. 6000 square feet is allot to till with this. I feel like it could be done but your back and arms will be killing you as this is only 19 inches wide. My garden is 20 feet by 60 feet and took about 2 hours the first time I tilled it. Now it takes about 30 minutes or so. Hope this helps you
IF you could which one would you really buy? you referenced one that was a bit more expensive. which one was it? Pls share the brand and model. thanks.
The one I really wanted was a Yardmax dual rotating rear tine tiller. Because of covid, they weren't getting shipped here. I believe they were $800 or are $800. Which is around $100 more than what I paid for mine. With the yardmax, you can change the direction of the tine rotation, forward and reverse drive, and can drive without the tines engaged. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my champion tiller, but I was really wanting the Yardmax. I believe its a YT4565. Thanks for watching.
When does it make the noise? Mine will squeal when I squeeze the handle to engage the drive. I have figures out to squeeze it slowly, a little more squealing, but doesn't bog the motor. Hope this helps your situation.
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare it started working better at first it would squeal and not do anything then it’s like something loosened up it it only did it when it was digging and that’s soft dirt I’m working
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare I bought some gear oil and put in it that grease was too thick I didn’t add but just a little then the more I used it the better it worked
I used one of those in already plowed and disked ground and it was way harder than I expected, it would drift one way or the other and I had to stop, pick up the tines (this thing is heavy), reverse and put it back on course....front tine tillers are way easier.
I really appreciate the video ! It helped me decide whether I wanted a front tine or a rear tine Champion tiller. If I were younger and wanted a work-out I'd get the front tine and save a few bucks, but at 67 the rear tine is the way to go. Given what I need to do with it, I couldn't justify the higher price tag of similar machines. Excellent point about the gear oil. Had I not watched this video I would have never checked and it would have been well on its way to ruin before I finally figured things out. Mine arrives in a few days and as soon as I get it put together that's the first thing I'll be checking ! Nothing worse than to buy a new tool and ruin it in the first few hours. Now, if you want a funny video, I could video myself trying to assemble this beast, but I'd never be brave enough to post it here ! Thanks again !
Thank you very much. And yeah, a front tine tiller will beat you up. I'm not sure how complete they are shipped..hopefully you won't have much assembly to do. Honestly, I would love to see a video on the assembly of one, funny or not. I think that would be very good and informative. Mine was a floor model. Only thing I had to do was turn the tires so the tread was the right direction and check fluids.
I think you will do fine in assembling it. 🙂
Thank you! I bought one last year and used it a little bit so your video is helping remind me how to use this beast
Anytime 👍👍. Glad you liked the video and super happy it helped you 😃😃
Bought a champion generator throughout our hurricane season it ran like a champ and still does, just bought a champion tiller still in the crate! Can't wait to put it together and get it running got a great deal on it on market place on Facebook $350 never used, Now they cost $899 I hear. Thanks on the reviews on this item. Never knew champion actually made tillers was looking for a toro as well. Sounds like I hit it lucky. 😊
Thank you for this video. I am getting a rear tine tiller soon as I am older and got back problems. My front tine broke today.
I bought one of these off FB Marketplace for 400.00. Evidently HD dumped them for 199.00 to several distributors that they liquidated to. I am tilling a new piece of ground that is a mess but this thing will power thru the stuff. I have had to stop several times to clear the tines of briars and vines, etc. I've figured out to just take the tines off to make it easy. I'm calling Champion tomorrow to see if there is a way to register it after buying from a second party. Would buy this again especially at the price I paid and there are still a lot of people that have these things on FB.
I'm seeing the Champion and even more of the "Legend Force" tillers on FB (all new in crate) mostly selling in the $400-450 range. Those appear to be identical tillers excepting for the engines (and color/decals). My 7500 watt Champion gas generator has been 100% reliable for 8 years albiet it's only run every few months for 10 minutes as my whole house standby power source.
I just picked one of these up a couple weeks ago.. I didn't want to buy it either honestly.. It was the same situation as you.. It was the last tiller in stock and I needed to get my potatoes planted.. I paid $599 for mine.. I think the troy bilt I wanted was $1200.. I'm glad I ended up with this tiller instead of the troy built now.. I added a new 60x60 plot to my garden this year.. I think it took me a little over 3 hours and the tiller didn't miss a beat.. This thing is an absolute beast.. My buddy just bought the troy bilt I wanted and it's a piece of junk.. It feels cheap and flimsy compared to the Champion.. I wish you could select what direction you wanted the tines to spin, but it's not a huge deal really.. I have heavy clay soil also and it chewed right thru it no problem..
I couldn't agree more. I would buy this unit again after owning it. I also wish you could change the tine direction but that is a minor thing for me. It's great to hear from someone that was in basically the same situation as we were. 👍👍
so is there no neutral to just free wheel it? besides having to "move the tires"
Sorry no. it has forward and reverse in which the tines move either direction. but it order to free wheel it, you have to remove the pin and slide the tires inward. i never move the tires lol. i just motor it around to where i need it or am storing it. thanks for watching.
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare hey thanks for the reply man.
Thank you for noting the jelly like trans fluid. Mine was the same, and it surprised me there was no info. This unit calls for 85w 140, not grease. I looked far and wide and found you did mention in the video, more than I can say for any others. I also read more than a few that had the trans fail. I would think grown adults would check ALL fluids in ANY powered product they own before EVER using. I may be be a weird Dude but...wow....
Thanks for the comment and thank you for watching 👍
I just picked up 4 brand new ones in the box next to the dumpster. Time to put it together
Tillers are hard to find this year. I have seen a few front tine ones, but no rear tine ones at the stores. I have an old one that is getting too heavy for me. I would like to get a smaller one, but no luck in finding any at all.
This thing for $200 at Homedepot is a Crazy deal😮
Yup, I was able to get one before the price went back up to $599👍
I just bought it for $161 with a 10% discount code
I just got one!!!
Mines is on the way
Got mine on the way!!! How they had 7500 avail, baffled my family! That would fill a whole warehouse!
The transmissions in these call for 0 or 00 weight grease. It's grease that flows and it is hard to find. It is common as you run the tiller for the factory grease to works its way to the rear tine gear box. When this happens the grease level drops and the factory tells you you can use a very thick gear oil like 80w140 to top it off. Because it's not enough to make much of a difference. But if you need to change the grease in the transmission for some reason and you are refilling it do not use gear oil! Only use 0 or 00 weight grease for a refill. ua-cam.com/video/eVwmn3SS8AI/v-deo.html
Thanks for the review!
You're very welcome 👍
Thanks for the review! HD has it right now for $179 shipped if you hurry.
Crazy deal! I had no intention of getting a tiller but at this price I can find some uses for it.
Does it use regular gas?
Yes it does. I only run ethanol free in my small engines tho. Thanks for watching
Wait, so the jelly like stuff in the differential is not what's supposed to be in there? I just got mine yesterday and I was looking at that but there's nothing on the manual that says we need to add anything into it. The only thing I saw was the labels for the engine oil. Mine came straight from champion in a pallet box. I'm curious to know now because I don't want to damage it.
Mine wasn't close to full with the jelly stuff. I can't remember without looking but I'm sure it says on the machine what weight gear lube to use. I I filled it with that gear lube to an appropriate level. Can't remember if there is a dipstick there or just a plug lol. If just a plug, I filled it to where I could see it about an inch down. Hope that helps
Let me know if yours has a sticker by that plug. If it doesn't, I'll go and take a picture of mine to show you the correct weight of gear lube
Mine just arrived today and has the same issue. Ordered from Tractor Supply, and it arrived in a pallet box straight from Champion. The package included a bottle of motor oil but no gear oil. I pulled the gear oil dipstick and it's dry. Looked inside with a flashlight and I can see something oily in the bottom, but not sure if it's gear oil or the jelly-like stuff you described. Either way, it's far below the safe gear oil level.
I registered my machine with Champion this evening and emailed them to ask whether a bottle of gear oil should have been included. Either they forgot to include a bottle, or their assembly QA process is missing a crucial step.
@@Matthew.Lanahan oh man, that concerning for sure. I know mine has that jelly like stuff in there too. But it looked like it was full. The only space I saw was where the dipstick was at, but I'll have to look at it more closely tomorrow and make sure that there's enough stuff in there, especially after using it for 4hrs straight today. I might have to email champion as well and ask them to clarify this. Thank you for sharing your experience and hopefully you'll get an answer soon.
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare thank you. Mine has a sticker on it with the the style of gear oil it needs. I can't remember what it is but I think it said 85w-140 or something like that.
Would this tiller handle breaking new ground? I'm in the upstate of South Carolina. Lots of clay.. I'm planting my front yard with Zoysia plugs. Probably 6000 sq ft. I saw these at HD for $550. I can't justify $1000+ for a tiller unless it's amazing.
Where I am in oklahoma we have allot of red clay. That being said, where I was tilling, is the softest part of my yard. That is why I tilled there. For the new ground, I started at half way on the depth gauge for the first pass then dripped it to the lowest for the second pass. After that, I use only the lowest when I retill it. 6000 square feet is allot to till with this. I feel like it could be done but your back and arms will be killing you as this is only 19 inches wide. My garden is 20 feet by 60 feet and took about 2 hours the first time I tilled it. Now it takes about 30 minutes or so. Hope this helps you
IF you could which one would you really buy? you referenced one that was a bit more expensive. which one was it? Pls share the brand and model. thanks.
The one I really wanted was a Yardmax dual rotating rear tine tiller. Because of covid, they weren't getting shipped here. I believe they were $800 or are $800. Which is around $100 more than what I paid for mine. With the yardmax, you can change the direction of the tine rotation, forward and reverse drive, and can drive without the tines engaged. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my champion tiller, but I was really wanting the Yardmax. I believe its a YT4565. Thanks for watching.
I bought one and it makes a squealing noise then dies. Anyone know what is wrong?
When does it make the noise? Mine will squeal when I squeeze the handle to engage the drive. I have figures out to squeeze it slowly, a little more squealing, but doesn't bog the motor. Hope this helps your situation.
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare it started working better at first it would squeal and not do anything then it’s like something loosened up it it only did it when it was digging and that’s soft dirt I’m working
@@KirkpatrickLawnCare I bought some gear oil and put in it that grease was too thick I didn’t add but just a little then the more I used it the better it worked
They are on sale at Home Depot for 179 right now
I just picked mine up from HD today. Still in the crate from China.....179.00
❤ it I have a generator Champion
I have the same tiller it's a beast in my Rocky environment. Blows away every piece of junk over priced overrated Troy Bilt I've ever used.
I used one of those in already plowed and disked ground and it was way harder than I expected, it would drift one way or the other and I had to stop, pick up the tines (this thing is heavy), reverse and put it back on course....front tine tillers are way easier.
L