MTD yard machine tiller is hard to get in tineing gear and jumps out of gear quickly

[jamesorr53]

I just bought a MTD yard machine rear tine tiller, 6 horse ohc. It starts great, but, when I kick in the tine gear it works for a few seconds to up to ten seconds and then jumps out of gear. It doesn't want to go back in gear, but, if I leave it running for a few seconds (maybe 30), it seems to go right back in. Is this some kind of transmission problem? I have blackland yard that was tilled in that area 2 years ago. Could the ground be too tough for this tiller? Any ideas and fixes will be greatly appreciated. Bought used, I think my wife said the guy said about 2 years old.

 

[ILENGINE]

the MTD rear tine tiller is subject to water contamination if left outside, even covered. there is a hex shaped shaft inside that the shift gears slides on, that will get a crusty, flacky rust coat that will sieze the gear on the shaft preventing proper shifting. If the gear has become jammed, and the shifter is forced, it will bent, or break the shift fork, which could be the reason it is jumping out of gear.

 

[jamesorr53]

Thanks ILENGINE.