Motor runs good tines do not turn under load - Ardisam Inc Earthquake Mini Cultivator

does pulling the start rope turn the engine over . make sure the tine drive is disconnected
if yes , the motor is not seized but the tines could be
if the motor will not fire ( check spark plug for spark it could be the coil or a short to ground in the ignition on/off switch wire

if it has a clutch
most small units just run a dog that you engage with a swift motion at low idle speed of the motor
have the tillers free above the dirt so they can turn with out any load to inhibit the dog engagement

Its running lean. There might be a small amount of water in the bottom of the bowl that gets sucked up when the motor is under load and requires more fuel.
There is a drain plug on the side of the bowl. Use a 10mm wrech and remove the plug. Catch the fuel and inspect for water. If water is found drain system and refill with fresh fuel. If no water is found then a carb rebuild is needed

look on the shafts the tines ride on and see if the bolts broke off

Hi bh1149...
You have bad gears on the inside of the tiller gear box...
I had this same problem with mine.
You will have to take the gearbox apart in order to know what parts are bad.
Be sure to check the lube more often when you install the new gears/parts.
Go to the following website and order your parts.
Please take time to rate me

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/homelite-parts-c-18807.html

hi there, ive been doing a bit of head scratching over this one as i needed to check my facts. i think the belt has a automatic spring loaded adjuster so it sounds as if you need a new belt for it.
good luck
iain

If the motor will accelerate, does it sound like there is a load on the motor? If the motor accelerates easy and does not seem to be under a load you may have a problem with the clutch. Are you getting power thru the clutch to the gearbox?
Regards Outback

Is the engine running good or misfiring with no load ? Dieing under a load maybe a sparkplug or bad fuel you possibly have water in the fuel ... as far as your tines not turning fast enough this sounds like drive belt related

Check under the metal or plastic cover just behind the engine. This covers the forward and reverse belts. Your belt either broke, jumped off fthe pulley, or needs a tension adjustment.

Frank

It sounds like the key that holds the pulley on the front of the tiller transfer case has sheared into. Carefully remove the belt safety cover so the belts are exposed and start the tiller. With a flashlight look at the pully on the lower shaft and shaft area. Carefully engage the tines and see it they are turning. With a second person visually, from the side, inspect the pulleys to make sure they are turning. Now carefully load the tines and see if the pullies of shaft stop turning. If the shaft stops and the pulleys keep turning then the key on the shaft has sheared off. If both keep turning then you have something that has broken or sheered in the transfer case. This type of inspection is dangerous and needs to be done at a distance with a flashlight so you can see down in the shaft area when standing off to the side while someone loads the tines. It is very difficult to try and see if the shaft is sheered in the pully as is the case without the engine running. The key has friction and it is difficult to turn the tines with the drive engaged to the engine. The only other option is to disassemble the transfer case to see what has gone bad. Please be careful testing it. Good Luck, RAC