B23
Maintenance Instructions
Lubrication
47
Oil Filter
Guard
Oil Drain
Plug
Oil Filter
Transaxle Oil Drain Plug, Filter, and
Guard Location
3. Reinstall drain plugs.
4. Remove the oil reservoir hose attached to the
elbow on top of the transaxles. Remove the
elbow to access the oil fill opening.
5. Fill the transaxles with 20W-50 (API Service
Class SL or higher) oil through the opening
(where the elbows were). Fill up to the open-
ing.
6. Before reinstalling the elbows, screw the lock-
ing nut on the elbows down until they are snug
(the o-ring on the elbow will be to the bottom
of the o-ring groove).
Elbow
Screw Locking
Nut Down
Reinstall Transaxle Elbows
7. Reinstall the elbows. When the elbow begins
to be snug, position the elbow as it was when
removed and tighten the locknut. Reinstall
reservoir hoses to elbows.
8. Fill reservoir to 1/4-1/2 in. (6-13 mm) from the
bottom with 20W-50 (API Service Class SL or
higher) oil.
9. Start and drive the tractor for 1-2 minutes.
10. Check the reservoir oil level. It should be
1/4-1/2 in. (6-13 mm) from the bottom. If oil
needs to be added, refer to steps 4-10.
11. If the transaxles sound noisy or have poor
steering response, there may be air trapped in
the transaxle that needs to be purged.
To purge air from transaxle, raise the tractor
and block with tires off the ground. With
engine running, slowly move the Forward
Speed Control forward and backward 5 to 6
times. Turn off engine and check oil level and
add if needed. Repeat procedure until trans-
axles operate at normal noise levels and move
smoothly in forward and reverse.
Grease Fitting and Oil Point Lubrication
Lubricate the grease fittings and oil points after
every 25 hours
of operation. Lubricate
more
often
when operating in
dusty or dirty condi-
tions.
Use SAE general purpose lithium or molyb-
denum base grease for grease fittings and light
machine oil (SAE 10) to lubricate oil points. Lubri-
cate the locations shown in the
Chassis and Deck
Lubrication Points
illustration on page 49.
NOTE:
PTO universal joints (on the deck and
trac tor) require routine lubrication
after every 25
hours
of running time. Remove tractor PTO quick
disconnect tube assembly for easy access to
grease fittings.
NOTE:
The best way to lubricate the PTO tube
half of the universal joint assembly is to remove it
from the tractor. See instructions for removing and
install ing PTO quick coupler, refer to
Deck Installa-
tion on page 21.
NOTE:
The ball bearings on the PTO drive shaft
are sealed and do not require periodic mainte-
nance.
