B23
Maintenance Instructions
Lubrication
43
LUBRICATION
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to lubricate the machine
with the engine running. Disengage the
PTO clutch, shut off the machine, and re-
move the ignition key.
Proper lubrication is an important maintenance
pro cedure. It reduces wear and makes the
machine quieter and easier to operate.
Engine Oil
Engine Break-In Oil
The engine is serviced with Kohler PRO
®
10W-50
synthetic oil and a Kohler PRO
®
filter from the
factory. Both are rated for 300 hour oil change
intervals. A break-in engine oil change is not
required. The engine crankcase oil and the filter
must be changed
after every 300 hours
of opera
-
tion.
NOTE:
Kohler PRO
®
oil and filter are not required,
but recommended. If conventional oil and filters
are used in the tractor, the oil must be changed
after every 100 hours
of operation, and the filter
must be changed
after every 200 hours.
See the
Specifications on page 3
for details on which
oil and filters are recommended.
Checking Engine Crankcase Oil Level
Check the engine crankcase oil level before use
and
after each 8 hours
of continuous operation.
IMPORTANT:
The importance of checking and
maintaining the proper crankcase oil level cannot
be overemphasized. Check the oil level
BEFORE
EACH USE.
1. Park the mower
on a level surface with the
en gine stopped.
Also, make sure the engine
is cool and oil has had time to drain into the
sump [allow
at least five (5) minutes
after
stopping the engine].
IMPORTANT: NEVER
check or add oil with
the engine running.
2. Before removing the dipstick, clean the area
around the dipstick to keep any dirt or debris
out of the engine.
3. Remove the dipstick, wipe off with a clean rag,
then reinsert the dipstick into the tube and
press all the way down.
4. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
lev el on the dipstick. The oil level should be
within the “Operating Range” on the dipstick
(between the “L” mark and the “F” mark).
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
operate engine with-
out a sufficient oil supply in the crankcase.
DO NOT
operate with the oil level below the
“L” mark or above the “F” mark on the dipstick.
5. If additional oil is needed, refer to
Specifica
-
tions on page 3
for proper crankcase lubri-
cant.
Fill up to, but not above, the “F” mark
on the dipstick.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
overfill the crankcase
(oil above “F” mark) as this
CAN
result in
engine overheating, loss of power, and pos-
sible en gine damage.
F
L
{
Operating
Range
Full Mark
Low Mark
Dipstick Operating Range
Changing Engine Crankcase Oil and Filter
Change the engine crankcase oil and filter
every
300 hours
if the recommended Kohler PRO
®
prod-
ucts are being used. If conventional oil and filters
are being used, change the crankcase oil
after
every 100 hours
of operation and replace the oil
filter
after 200 hours
of operation.
