LUBRICATION
Wheel and Deck Zerks
Use only good quality bearing grease.
Grease from well-known brand names
(petrochemical companies, etc.) usually maintains
a good quality.
Front Wheel Mount
Remove dust cap to expose zerk. Lubricate with
a grease gun until the grease is forced out around
the top washer.
Front Wheel Bearings
Lubricate 3-4 strokes with a grease gun on each
set of wheel bearings.
Deck Spindles
Lower the cutting deck completely.
If a grease gun without rubber hose is used, the
foot plate must be removed to access the center
spindle.
Lubricate with a grease gun, 2-3 strokes per
spindle.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Use minimal
lubrication and remove excess lubricant so that
is does not come into contact with belts or belt
pulley drive surfaces.
Transaxle Fluid Change
This transaxle is designed with an external filter
for ease of maintenance. To ensure constant fluid
quality levels and longer life, an oil filter change
interval of every 200 hours is recommended.
The following procedure is performed with the
transaxles installed in the mower and the mower
on level ground. Apply the pump release valve for
each transaxle and engage the park brake.
1. Remove the three filter guard screws and filter
guard. Clean loose debris from around the
perimeter of the filter.
2. Place an oil drain pan (12" or more diameter
and 8 qt. capacity is optimal) beneath the oil
filter. Remove the oil filter from the transaxle.
Drain old oil filters of all free-flowing oil prior
to disposal. Place used oil in appropriate
containers and dispose of it in accordance with
laws in your area.
3. After the oil has drained, wipe the filter base
surface and apply a film of new oil to the
gasket of the replacement filter.
4. Install the new filter by hand, turning it three-
quarters to one full turn after the filter gasket
contacts the filter base surface.
5. Reinstall the filter guard. Torque screws to 65
in/lbs. each.
6. Repeat steps on the opposite side.
7. Remove the top port plug (see illustration)
from the left side and right side of the
transaxles prior to filling with oil. This will allow
the transaxles to vent during oil fill.
8. Remove the cap from the transaxles'
expansion tank located on the vehicle frame.
9. Fill with 20W50 motor oil until oil just appears
at the bottom of each transaxles' top port
(approximately 2 quarts per transaxle, 4
quarts total). Install the top port lug into each
transaxle as the oil level reaches the port.
10. Reinstall and torque the top port plugs to 180
in./lbs.
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