PAGE 17
Fill Port
Top Port
Filte
Filter
Screws
Filter
FLUID CHANGE PROCEDURE
This transaxle is designed with an external filter for ease of maintenance. To ensure constant fluid quality levels
and longer life, an initial oil and filter change at 75-100 hours, then every 400 hours thereafter is recommended.
The following procedure can be performed with the transaxles installed in the vehicle, and the vehicle on level
ground. Apply the bypass valve for each transaxle and lock the vehicle parking brake.
1.
Remove the three 1/4" filter guard screws and filter guard. Clean any loose debris from around the perimeter
of the filter. See figures 4 and 5.
Note: Before draining oil ensure the oil that will be removed is at ambient temperature before doing so.
Units equipped with an internal expansion tank will retain oil that has expanded due to an increase
in temperature and may result in an overfill and over expansion when refilled.
2.
Place an oil drain pan (12" or more diameter and 8 qt. capacity is optimal) beneath the oil filter. Remove the
oil filter from the transaxle.
3.
After the oil has drained, wipe the filter base surface off and apply a film of new oil to the gasket of the new
replacement filter (Hydro-Gear part number 52114 or equivalent).
4.
Install the new filter by hand, turn 3/4 to one full turn after the filter gasket contacts the filter base surface.
5.
Re-install the filter guard with three 1/4" screws. Torque screws to 65 in. lbs. (7.3 Nm) each.
6.
Repeat steps 1-5 on the opposite side transaxle drive.
7.
Drain old oil filters of all free flowing oil prior to disposal. Place used oil in appropriate containers and
deliver to an approved recycling collection facility.
8.
Remove the top port plug (figure 5) from the left side and right side transaxles prior to filling with oil. This
will allow the transaxles to vent during oil fill.
9.
Remove the cap from the transaxle's expansion tank located on the vehicle frame.
Note: For units that do not have an external expansion tank remove the fill port plug on the top of the
housing (figure 5).
10.
Fill with 20W50 motor oil until oil just appears at the bottom of each transaxle's top port (approximately 2
qts. per transaxle, 4 qts. total). Install the top port plug into each transaxle as the oil level reaches this port.
See Figure 5.
11.
Install and torque the top port plugs to 120 in. lbs. (20.3 Nm).
Note: For units that do not have an external expansion tank replace the fill port plug on the top of the
housing (figure 5), torque to 120 in. lbs. and proceed to the purge procedure.
12.
Continue to fill the transaxles through the expansion tank until the "Full Cold" line is reached on the Hydro-
Gear expansion tank (refer to vehicle owner's manual for specific volumes).
13.
Re-install the expansion tank cap by hand. Be careful to not overtighten.
14.
Proceed to the purge procedure.
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
