OK, so the recently purchased Kubota TF60 rotavator isn't quite working out as anticipated/hoped, and not just because I broke it on the first day - that is at least sorted now.
There are two problems, although I suspect one has a rather simpler solution than I'm considering.
1. When trying to simply rotavate, the blades aren't digging into the earth enough to make more than a slight scrape, and when they do dig in a little more, the power drops off and the engine dies. I hadn't cut the grass so I thought it might have been because the blades/cylinder were getting snagged but that isn't the case now that I've scraped down to soil.
2. The plough and till attachments hook onto the front of the machine and you then put it into reverse. However, I haven't been able to get the tines/blades to bit into the earth and move forwards (or backwards). At first I thought it was because they just weren't adjusted correctly, but looking at the set up from the side makes me think that the rotavator cylinder blades (which are then acting like a set of front wheels) are weighing the machine down in the wrong direction, and because they aren't spinning when it's in reverse, I think they are acting like a non turning wheel and basically being a drag. I also have problem No.1 when I do get it to start moving (without really digging in).
Oh, and just before the engine dies, there is a grinding noise from the engine/gearbox/drive belt area. The toothed belt looks brand new and isn't stripped, the power drive to the blades is a notched cog rather than clutch, so I'm thinking; something inside the gearbox or power loss in the engine - although it will drive the whole machine along even with the blades turning, until there is some extra strain on the system.
Help!