Maintenance Instructions
LUBRICATION
56
Changing Engine Crankcase Oil/Oil Filter
Change the engine crankcase oil
after every 100
hours
of operation and replace the oil filter every
other oil change (
every 200 hours
of operation).
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 the dipstick to keep any dirt or debris out
of the engine.
3. Remove the dipstick and the oil drain plug and
drain the oil into a suitable container. Be sure
to allow ample time for complete drainage.
Oil Dipstick/Oil Fill
Oil Dipstick/Oil Fill Location
Oil Filter
Drain Plug
Oil Drain/Oil Filter Location
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.
6. Apply a thin coating of clean oil to the rubber
gasket on the replacement oil filter.
IMPORTANT:
Use
ONLY
oil filters from the en-
gine manufacturer (Kohler 12-050-01). After-
market oil filters may not seal properly and/or
may not have the correct pressure relief valve
for proper lubrication.
7. Install the new oil filter on the engine. Turn the
filter clockwise until the rubber gasket contacts
the sealing surface, then tighten an additional
3/4 to 1 turn.
8. Reinstall the drain plug. Make sure it is tight-
ened to 10 lb·ft (14 N·m).
9. Fill the crankcase with new, clean oil. Use only
crankcase lubricants recommended by the en-
gine 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 vis-
cosity will aid starting in cold weather and assure
proper lubrication in hot weather.
Fill up to, but
not above, the “F” mark
on the dipstick.
Crankcase capacity is 1.85 quarts (1.75 liters)
plus 1/2 pint (0.24 liters) for the new oil filter.
IMPORTANT:
Check the dipstick reading be-
fore adding the last 1/2 pint of oil and
fill only
to
the “F” mark.
DO NOT
overfill the crankcase
(oil above “F” mark) as this
CAN
result in en-
gine overheating, loss of power, and possible
engine damage.
10. Start the engine and check for oil leaks around
the oil filter. Stop the engine, recheck the oil
level, and add oil if necessary. (When the en-
gine is first operated with a new oil filter, the oil
level drops slightly as the filter is filled with oil.)
