Belt routing question for 'White' garden tiller

17 years ago

Hi all,

I am very close to the complete restoration of my grandfather's old garden tiller. The engine-less frame had sat in the elements for 25 years but now all I need to do is figure out how the belt wraps around the pulleys and idlers. A link below, which I hope will work, has pictures that might help. The tiller has both forward and reverse which would make you think it should have two belts, one for forward and a reverse belt that has been twisted to spin the drive shaft in the opposite direction. The mystery is that I have the original belt but it appears to be twice as long as it should be. All that I can figure is that it only had one belt and the slack is taken up because the belt is looped around in some manner allowing both forward/reverse with one belt. How in the world this is possible, I do not know. I took picture of the tiller before taking it apart and as far a I know I put it back together properly. The engine that is on there now is not the original so I may need to put a double groove pulley on the engine shaft as there is only a single groove pulley attached for now.

Finding a solution has been hard because it appears the company that built the tiller is no longer in business, or has merged with something else. I assume the model is from the 1970's (educated guess). The original labels said "White's Power Ranger 5 HP." I could not find a model number. Has anyone heard of this company before? I ran across a few manuals online for a White Roto Boss 300, 350, 500, 550, etc. but none of these match up to what I have. I do not think White is the same as White Outdoor. I hope to have this ready for the fall planting. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2340403&id=27406929&l=3e42b1d23c

Thanks,

Joe

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Comments (7)

Greg Goyeneche
17 years ago
I think your machine might be a Gilson, made under private label for White. It is definitely NOT White Outdoor, which is one of many MTD Brands.

If it is Gilson, they use two belts, one for forward and one for reverse. The forward belt is closer to then engine and wraps around conventionally. The reverse belt is twisted into a "figure-eight" and the engine pully drives on the "Vee" side, and the tiller pulley contacts the "flat" side of the belt.

Suggest you look at the Rustytiller site below and go to "TECHINCAL" where the manuals are located.

BTW: Could also be a private label Ariens, although handles look different. Ariens mounts engine same way, but uses a special model with extra shaft from the camshaft to drive reverse.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rustytiller - Gilson
joe4majors
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the tips. Yes, Gilson models are the closest thing I have found. However, from what I have seen they use only one idler whereas mine has two. The diagrams I've found use two small belts just as you described. What is still a mystery two me is that the belt that was on the tiller was very long and could not be one of two belts where one was for reverse and the other was forward.
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tbake67_gmail_com
15 years ago
Saw your request concerning a white belt problem. Sorry I cam't help your dillema, but perhaps you can help mine. I have, and trying also to repair an old Wizzard front tine tiller. I,ve found nothing on the web to help. But as I read your note, you said yours was a WHITE. iF I think right,the Wizzard was made by White. This Tiller was bought at White,s Auto store. My probem is simple,if I could find the female part of the engauging drive. here ia the P/N AL1196, and Mdl. no. GIL 2005 A47. Mine too was bought inthe seventies. Tks. for yours or anyones help out there. t.b.
HU-144002286
7 years ago
I've got an old 70's whites ranger supreme reverse tiller. I'm submitting a photo of the feed for the belt on mine. Hope it helps.
HU-773176075
7 years ago
Hi Joe. I think I have the same tiller. No model number on the thing. White's was a small Department store here in West Texas years ago. They sold tires too. Mine runs but not well. I have been working on the motor and ordered some parts. I know you posted this ten years ago but i thought what the heck. If you have had any luck finding parts please post it. Thanks . cb
Robey Humphrey
4 years ago
Hello, my name is Rob and I actually own the exact same tiller and it runs fine. You can email me at humphreyrobey1164@gmail.com if you have any questions feel free to hit me up. Have a wonderful day.
Donna Hammon
3 years ago
Have same tiller it keeps jumping to neutral wont go forwar but a few seconds what could bw wrong