TWO WHEEL TRACTOR OPERATION AND

MAINTENANCE MANUAL
PROGRESS CONSORTIUM

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Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................3

2. STRUCTURE OF THE TWO WHEEL TRACTOR...............................................................................9

3. TWO WHEEL TRACTOR SAFETY ................................................................................................ 14

4. OPERATING A TWO WHEEL TRACTOR ....................................................................................... 17

5. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES AND PROCEDURES FOR TWO WHEEL TRACTOR ..................... 18

6. TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................................... 22

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 1. INTRODUCTION

The two-wheel tractor or walking tractor is a single axle (a tractor with one axle), self-
powered and self-propelled tractor, which can pull and power various farm implements
such as a trailer, cultivator or harrow, a plough and planters. The direction of travel and
its control for field operation is performed by the operator walking behind it or sitting on
a seat of the implement hitched to it.

Types of Two Wheel Tractors

Small
Small 2WT which can be regarded as "Power tiller" or garden tiller/roto-tiller ranges
from 3–7 hp and they are diesel or petrol powered. They are often sold as a rotary tillers,
though the technical agricultural use of that term refers solely to an attachment to a larger
tractor.

Large

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 These 2WT range from 7 –22 Hp and are usually powered by heavy-duty single-cylinder
diesel engines.

USES OF TWO WHEEL TRACTORS

Two-wheel tractors can execute practically all of the chores done by larger 4-wheel
tractors, with the exception of items like front-loaders, which obviously have the physical
stability requirements of a 4-wheel (two-axle) tractor.

Operation Equipment Comments Pictures

No till Single row Equipment
planting in planters used in no till
mulch minimum
tillage seed and
fertiliser
planting

Double row Equipment

planters used in no till
minimum
tillage seed and
fertiliser
planting

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Pesticide Boom Equipment
application sprayer used for pre
at planting and post
stage and germination
post pesticide use
planting

Application Single row Equipment

of basal planters used to drill in
“Compoun fertiliser after
d D’ crop
fertilizer germination

Transport Single axle Transportation

trailer which equipment
carries which is faster
1000kg than animal
draft

Water Water pump Tractor engine

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pumping provides power
to pump water
Cutting Reciprocating Mounted in
crop stalks cutter bar front of the
tractor and
draws power
from axle
Combine Combine Mounted in
harvesting harvester front of tractor
and draws
power from
axle

Two wheel tractors are mostly used for agricultural purposes in the following:
For soil-working

Rototillers, moldboard plows, disc-plows, rotary plows, root/tuber harvesting plows,

small subsoiler plows, powered and non-powered harrows, seeders, transplanters and
planters.
Zero till/no-till planters and seeders are available in Zimbabwe for single axle tractors.
In plant protection and weed control, two-wheel tractor can be used with various
machines like crop-cultivators and boom-sprayers.

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For harvesting, available machines for use with 2WT are:
Forage: Sickle bar mowers, disk mowers, hay rakes, hay tedders, hay balers and bale
wrappers [for silage production].
Grain harvest: reaper/grain harvesters, reaper-binders and combine harvesters.

For transport
Trailers with capacities from 0.5 to 1.5t categories are available.

General mowing machines consist of lawn mowers, brush mowers, and flail mowers.

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Other machines include: chipper/shredders, log splitters, electrical generator, pressure
washer, crimper-roller, fertilizer/salt/lime spreader, and stump grinder.
This list of machines (which may not be complete) means that

Shelling

The tractors can also be used for the shelling.

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 2. STRUCTURE OF THE TWO WHEEL TRACTOR

The engine is the power source of the 2WT. The engine is normally a single piston.

Clutch assembly

Silencer

Lever

Fuel tank

Water tank

Number Part name Purpose

1 Handle knob Used to manually control

tractor

2 Clutch lever Engages and disengages

power transmission
3 Accelerator Controls flow rate of fuel
into combustion chamber

4 Muffler (silencer) Reduces the noise emitted

by the exhaust of the
internal combustion
engine.

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5 Engine Converts fuel into motion
so tractor can move

6 Tension pulley Drives the tractor belt

system.
7 Bumper Absorbs impact of a
minor collision

8 Support stand To balance the tractor

when not in use

9 Tyres Provides traction

10 Air cleaner Removes solid particles

from the air that goes to
the engine

11 Decompression lever Eases the start of the

internal combustion
engine

12 Cranking handle Converts circular motion

to reciprocating motion.
13 Gear lever Used to change gears

14 Handbrake When pulled, resists

tractor from getting into
motion

15 Ignition Makes the tractor run

smoothly

16 Fuel tank Safe container for the

flammable fuel

17 Water tank Stores water

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 Power transmission in power tiller

For operation of power tiller, the power is obtained from the Engine, fitted on the tractor
chasis. The engine power goes to the main clutch with the help of V belts and pulleys.
From clutch assembly, the power is divided in two routes, one goes to transmission gears,
steering clutch and then to the wheel. The other component goes to the tilling clutch and
then to the tilling attachment. From the clutch assembly power is channeled to the
gearbox through a chain and sprocket arrangement. The tractor’s two axles are drawn
directly from the gearbox. Powered tools are either driven from the V belts/ pulley
system or from sprockets attached to the tractor’s axle.

Transmission Operation

The main clutch is a lever on the handle. The lever can be shifted to on or off position
while operating in the field. When the lever is shifted to on position, the power from the
engine is transmitted through the main clutch to the various parts of the power tiller.
When the lever is shifted to off position the power from the engine is cut-off from the rest
of the transmission.

The flow diagram for transmission of power is given below:

ENGINE MAIN CLUTCH TRANSMISSION STEERING CLUTCH WHEELS

GEAR

V-belts are normally used to transmit power from the engine to the main clutch assembly.

Steering of the tractor

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The tractor has two steering clutch levers mounted under the handles. Depressing the
clutch lever will limit power transmitted to the wheel on the same side. So, steering the
tractor to the left will require pressing of the left clutch lever. Depressing both levers at
the same time will stop the tractor.

Clutch housing and clutch lever

Used to - engage and disengage power between the engine and final drive to enable
change of gears.
- Engage and disengage power between the engine and power take-off to enable engaging
and disengaging of the P.T.O.
-Run the engine without moving the tractor when gears are in neutral position.

Power goes from the engine to the main clutch. Clutch may be:
(i) Friction clutch or
(ii) V-belt tension clutch.
Friction clutch is generally used for bigger two wheel tractors. Usually it is a dry type
multiple disc clutch.

Gear box

It is composed of gearbox, ratio lever, gear selector lever and the P.T.O lever and gears
housed in the gearbox. It is found between the clutch and differential.
Carries power from clutch to the differential and provides:
- A range of speed ratios through gears.
- Reverse direction of movement of the tractor.
- Power link from the clutch to the P.T.O
Note: There are versions of two wheel tractors that come without gearboxes and use
engine speed to vary the ground speed.

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 Brakes

All power tillers have some braking arrangement for stopping the movement. Most of
the power tillers use inner side expansion type brake.

Tyres

Usually 2 to 4 ply pneumatic tyres are used in power tillers. The pressure of the tyres
ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 bars.

Track adjustment

The wheels can be turned inwards or outwards either to decrease or increase the track
width respectively. Tyres can be adjusted depending with the type of operation to be
done. For crop maintenance, or use of tractor to apply fertilizer after crop has emerged,
tyres may be adjusted to make a thinner track size.

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 3. TWO WHEEL TRACTOR SAFETY

 Keep children away from tractors and machinery.

 Always remove cranking handle from tractors when they are not in use.
 Have an up to date maintenance schedule.
 Follow safe maintenance and jacking procedure.
 Operators must not attempt to use tractors and machinery they are not sure of how
to operate.
 Keep all guards in place
 Always wear well-fitting clothes /avoid loose clothes especially when working
with the belts.

BELOW IS A DETAILED TABLE OF MOST PRECAUTIONS ONE SHOULD TAKE

BEFORE USING TWO WHEEL TRACTORS

PRECAUTION POSSIBLE DANGERS

 When disconnecting the battery remove the It may cause an electric shock, a burn
negative terminal first, and when connecting, and a fire.
install the positive terminal first.

 Use the recommended batteries only.

 Do not reverse positive and negative

terminals

 Maintain recommended tyre pressure Over inflating the tyre pressure may
cause injuries from explosion
 Do not use ripped or worn out tyres

 Check for any straws or alien substances from These may reduce the components’
the engine, muffler, battery, and oil tank

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 before starting the engine. efficiency

 When inspecting the tractor, disengage the Touching the rotating parts for any
covers or other implements safely. reason can cause serious injury.

 Engage the covers or other implements

properly after the inspection

 When starting the engine, be sure to locate Mishandling of clutch or shift lever
the main clutch lever and make sure it is in causes unexpected tractor movement
the OFF position and the shift lever in the that may result in accidents.
neutral position.

 Do not make abrupt start, stop and a sharp Tractor may overturn and cause
turn. injuries.

 Stop operation of any attached farming

implement while driving on farm or public
roads.

 Before driving the tractor in reverse, check to Due to rotation of the wheels, steering
see that there are no obstacles around. wheel tends to lift when driving in
reverse.
 Hold the tractor handles tight to prevent it
from rising when driving in reverse.

 Do not reverse the tractor at high speed

 Keep away from hot engine. Touching heated parts may cause a
burn.
 Completely stop the engine for inspection and
avoid touching the engine until it is cooled off

 Ensure tyre pressure is sufficient before using Low pressure may cause instability
the tractor and can be a safety hazard.

 Check bolts securing tyres, engine and onto Loose bolts can cause injuries when
frame before starting. the loosened part detaches from the
tractor.

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 Check belt pulley alignment Belts may cause the tractor to jam and
misfire.
 Check belt condition
Water is an engine coolant, if low in
 Check oil and water levels levels it may cause overheating of
engine.

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 4. OPERATING A TWO WHEEL TRACTOR

To Start Diesel Engine

The following should be done before starting

 Using the dipstick provided, check the engine oil level. Top up with 10w/40 oil if necessary.
 Check water level and top up if necessary.
 Check fuel level. Only use diesel from a clean container. Never re-fuel when the engine is hot or
running.
 Check position of the fuel cut off valve and open if closed.
 Ensure the gear lever is in neutral position and the power take-off (PTO) lever is disengaged.
 Set throttle level to the start position.

Starting:

 Press and hold the decompression lever on the side of the engine.
 Crank the engine with the crank handle gently until it engages then, keeping the decompression
lever depressed,
 Press, but do not hold the decompression lever and give the starter handle a good strong cranking
to start the engine. Release decompression lever once engine speed is good and at the same time
remove cranking handle.
 Once the engine has started return the throttle lever (F) to idle position.
 Lift front stand
 Engage gears, lower clutch handle gently and the tractor will start to move

Stopping

 Engage clutch lever to the neutral position.

 Locate gear lever in neutral position.
 Disengage drive to the digging knives by pulling the PTO lever backwards.
 Move the engine stop lever to position ‘STOP’ which will result in engine stopping.

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 5. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES AND PROCEDURES FOR TWO WHEEL
TRACTOR

Maintenance is the regular care done to machines to work well and prolong their life span. Maintenance
is protecting machines so that they do not break down or wear out too quickly. In maintenance machines
are protected from
 Wear – Grease and oil are used to protect moving parts from wear.
 Dirt – Filters are used to catch and hold dirt before it gets inside and damage parts.
 Heat – The cooling system protects the machine from heat provided it has enough coolant and it
does not leak.
Regular maintenance of the tractor will:
1) Reduce primitive tractor failures on the farm and therefore increases productivity.
2) Save on operation cost.
3) Keep the tractor in good operational condition.
This manual will only give general procedures of maintaining two wheel tractor.

2WT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

OPERATION EVERY EVERY EVERY 1000Hrs

DAY WEEK MONTH
(8Hrs) (40Hrs) (200 Hrs)
Engine Check engine oil level X X
(10w/40)
Replace engine oil
Gear box and Check gearbox oil level X X
controls Check nuts and bolts X X
Ensure clutch has free play X
Check tyre pressure X X
Lubricate control X
cable/linkages
Check control cable X
operation
Change gearbox oil X
Grease gearbox speed detent X X
ball
Check water level X X
Radiator
Replace water When
water level

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 is low

MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND PROCEDURES

Pre-inspection (Using a 2WT for the first time)

 Check engine oil level and top up to the optimum level if necessary.
 Check gearbox oil level and top up if necessary.
 Tighten wheel nuts and check tyre pressure.

The following are daily checks and procedures carried out daily before starting the day’s work. As a
general rule all tractors need the following care after every 8-10 tractor hours:

Engine /Transmission Oil Level

Before checking oil level on the two wheel tractor, it is important to position the level position to
avoid false reading if the tractor is in a tilted position.

Let the tractor position be in a horizontal orientation

supported by its own stand when checking oils.

 The level of engine oil is checked in the sump with the Dip stick.
 Dip stick is marked with max and min points, the oil level should be in between the 2 points.
 For a tractor with a separate dip stick for transmission, the same procedure as above should be
followed.

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 Air Cleaner

Main air cleaners can be either Dry element or Oil bath type.
 For Dry element use a compressor to blow out dirty dust from inside.
 For Oil bath check the oil level mark and add if necessary, change oil if the colour turns
brownish in colour.

Water Cooling System

 Check the water level in the radiator, top up if necessary and use clean water
 Check radiator for dirt, leaves, insects which block the fins and clean if necessary.

Battery (optional on some traactors)

 Check security clamps, tighten nuts if need be.

 Check terminals for acid corrosion, clean with warm water if there is need.

Fuel

 Fuel tank should be filled after each day’s work to avoid condensation overnight.
 Regularly check the fuel sediment bowl for dirt and water, clean if necessary.
 Refill with clean fuel from reputable suppliers

Bolts and Nuts

 Bolts and nuts should be checked by spanner to see if they are tight.
 Special attention should be given to wheel nuts and implement bolts and nuts.
 Check and tighten bolts and nuts especially those for the wheel hubs and engine.

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 Inspect operation of the main clutch and direction clutch.

WEEKLY CHECKS

 Wash the tractor thoroughly with degreaser.

 Tension drive belt and ensure belt/pulley alignment.
 For 2WT with a clutch grease thrust bearing.
 Tighten bolts and nuts for firmness of handles.

MONTHLY CHECKS

 Complete all weekly servicing requirements.

 Change Engine oil /transmission oil.
 Change oil and fuel filters.

TRACTOR ADJUSTMENTS

 Wheel Adjustments
Wheels are adjusted to suit into different types of row crops. This is done through interchanging the
wheel, the left wheel to the right side and the right wheel to the left side. The lugs should always face
forward.

 Main Clutch Lever

The length of the clutch rod should be adjusted so that it starts to engage at 2-3cm.

 Direction control clutch

Tighten the setting nut on the lever to move 1-2mm freely by the adjustment bolt. If not correctly set, the
direction control lever will not work properly.

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 6. TROUBLESHOOTING

Symptoms Possible Causes Remedies

Failure to Start No fuel Fill in the fuel tank

Start lever is in Off position Check the start lever

Return the lever to on

Decompression lever is not Position

returning to its off position

Fuel leak between tank and Repair the connection

injector

Fuel supply lever is closed Check the supply lever

Injector pump not working Replace

Injector blocked Check the injector

Inlet and exhaust valves Check the valves

closing

Cylinder and gasket damaged Replace

Excessive worn out rings Replace

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Gears failing to engage Thrust bearing worn out/clutch Replace
fingers worn out

No gear oil Fill in the oil

Rust in the gear box Make use of the rust remover

Low Engine Power Blocked fuel pipe Check the pipe

Faulty injector Check injector

Faulty injector pump Check the pump

Worn out piston rings Replace the rings

Damaged gasket Replace

Engine speed too high

Tractor will not turn Steering clutches not set Properly set the clutches
properly

Smoke coming from the Bearing failure Replace

Clutch thrust bearing

Engine failing to cut when Accelerator lever engine stop Check the connection
accelerator is pushed down link not functioning well

Tractor keeps moving when Worn out clutch fingers Replace

the clutch is in neutral or park
position
Clutch assembly support Replace
bearings damaged

Engine difficult to turn when Decompression lever not Check the lever
starting functioning

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Valves not functioning well Replace the valves

Low engine oil Fill up the oil

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Compiled by: Lorraine Ndabambi (BSc
Honours in Agricultural Engineering,
University of Zimbabwe)
+263719861181; [email protected]

Supervised by: Eng. R Nazare (University of

Zimbabwe)
+263773531660; [email protected]

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