44
Maintenance Instructions
LUBRICATION
Changing Engine Crankcase Oil/Oil Filter
Change the engine crankcase oil
after every 100
hours
of operation and the oil filter
after every 200
hours
of operation as follows:
1. Park the mower on a
level surface with the en-
gine stopped.
The engine oil should be warm
before draining. If not warm from opera tion, start
the engine and run a few minutes to warm the oil.
2. Before removing the dipstick, clean the area
around it to keep any dirt or debris out of the
engine.
3. Remove the dipstick and oil drain plug, and drain
oil into a suitable container. Be sure to allow
ample time for complete drainage.
4. Before removing the oil filter, clean the area
around the filter to keep dirt and debris out of the
engine.
5. Remove the old oil filter and wipe off the filter
mounting surface on the engine.
Oil Fill
Oil Fill
(View from Above Right Side of Tractor)
Oil
Dipstick
Oil Dipstick
(View from Above Right Side of Tractor)
Oil Drain
Plug
Oil Drain Plug Location
(View from Underneath Mower)
6. Apply a thin coating of new oil to the rubber gas-
ket on the replacement oil filter.
IMPORTANT:
Use
ONLY
oil filters from the
engine manufacturer. Aftermarket oil filters may
not seal properly and/or may not have the cor rect
pressure relief valve for proper lubrication.
7. Install the new oil filter on the engine. Turn the
oil filter clockwise until the rubber gasket con tacts
the sealing surface, then tighten the filter an ad-
ditional
1/2 to 3/4 turn.
8. Reinstall the drain plug.
9. Fill the crankcase with new, clean oil. Use only
crankcase lubricants recommended by the
engine manufacturer. Refer to
Specifications
in
this manual or the engine owner’s manual. Use
the recommended oil viscosity for the expected
ambient temperature. Oil with the correct
viscosity will aid starting in cold weather and
assure proper lubrication in hot weather.
Fill to
FULL mark
on the dipstick; crankcase capacity
is 3.1. quarts (2.9 liters) when changing oil and
filter.
IMPORTANT:
Check the dipstick reading before
pouring in the last 1/2 pint of oil and
fill only
to
the FULL mark.
The oil level should never be
over the
FULL
mark on the dipstick; overfilling
can result in engine overheating and loss of
power.
10. Start the engine and check for oil leaks around
the oil filter. Stop the engine, recheck the oil lev-
el, and add oil if necessary. (When the engine is
first operated with a new oil filter, the oil level will
drop slightly as the filter is filled with oil.)
