52
Maintenance Instructions
LUBRICATION
Transaxle Oil and Filter Change
Change the transaxle oil after the initial
break-in
period
of
75-100 hours.
Thereafter, change oil
ev-
ery 400 hours
of operation as follows:
1. Thoroughly clean the exterior of the transaxle
housing before servicing. Remove expansion
reservoir cap to allow venting. Using a 1/4 in.
hex wrench, remove the plug on the lower in
side of each transaxle allowing the oil to drain.
2. Remove the oil filter guard, remove and replace
the oil filter using an oil filter wrench. Tighten
filter by turning filter 3/4 to 1 turn after gasket
contacts the filter base surface. Reinstall the oil
filter guard. (Refer to
Transaxle Oil Drain
Plug, Filter, and Guard Location
illustration.)
Oil Filter
Oil Filter
Guard
Oil Drain
Plug
Transaxle Oil Drain Plug, Filter, and
Guard Location
(Shown with Deck Support Arms
Removed for Clarity)
3. Reinstall drain plugs.
4. Remove the oil reservoir hose attached to the
elbow on top of the transaxles. Remove the
elbows to access the oil fill opening.
5. Fill the transaxles with 20W50 (API Service
Class SL or higher) oil through the opening
(where the elbows were). Fill up to the opening.
6. Before reinstalling the elbows, screw the lock
ing
nut on the elbows down until they are snug
(the oring on the elbow will be to the bottom of
the oring 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 re
moved and tighten the locknut. Reinstall reser
voir hoses to elbows.
8. Fill reservoir to 1/41/2 in. (613 mm) with
20W50 (API Service Class SL or higher) oil
.
9. Start and drive the unit for 12 minutes.
10. If the transaxles sound noisy or have poor steer
ing response, there may be air trapped in the
transaxles. Follow purge instructions below.
11. If oil needs to be added, refer back to steps 510.
12. To purge air from the transaxle, raise tractor and
block with tires off the ground. With engine run
ning, slowly move Forward Speed Control for
ward and backward 5 to 6 times. Turn off en
gine and check oil level and add if needed.
Repeat procedure until transaxles operate at
normal noise levels and move smoothly in for
ward and reverse.
