LUBRICATION
4. After the oil has drained remove the filter from
the housing.
5. Install a new filter and gasket into the filter
cover and install the assembly into the
transaxle, turning it three-quarters to one full
turn after the filter gasket contacts the filter
base surface.
6. Repeat the procedure the opposite side.
7. Remove the top fill port plug from the left and
right side transaxles.
8. Fill with 20W50 motor oil until the oil appears
at the bottom of each transaxles' top port,
approximately 2 quarts (1.89 liters) per
transaxle, 4 quarts (3.78 liters) total.
9. Install the fill plugs into each transaxle as the
oil level reaches the port. Torque the top port
plugs to 180 in./lbs.
10. Continue to fill the transaxles through the
expansion tank until the FULL COLD line
is reached. This will take approximately 23
additional ounces (.68 liter).
11. Reinstall the expansion tank cap by hand. Do
not overtighten.
Transmission Purging
Due to the effects air has on efficiency in
hydrostatic drive applications, it is critical to purge
the system.
Perform the procedure first with the vehicle drive
wheels off the ground, then repeated under
normal operating conditions.
Resulting symptoms in hydrostatic systems may
be:
• Noisy operation.
• Lack of power or drive after short term
operation.
• High operation temperature and excessive
expansion of oil.
• Shortened component life.
Purge procedures must be implemented if
the hydrostatic system has been opened for
maintenance or when more oil has been added to
the system.
Before starting, make sure the oil tank is at the
proper oil level. If not, fill to the specifications
outlined above.
See Moving Machine By Hand in the Operation
section for bypass linkage adjustments.
1. Release the park brake.
2. With the bypass valve open and the engine
running at fast idle, slowly move the steering
controls in the forward and reverse directions
five or six times. As air is purged from the unit,
the oil level will drop.
3. With the bypass linkage valve and the engine
running, slowly move the steering controls
in the forward and reverse directions five or
six times. Check the oil level and add oil as
required after stopping the engine.
4. It may be necessary to repeat Steps 2 and 3
until all the air is completely purged from the
system. When the hydraulic drive operates
at normal noise levels and moves smoothly
forward and reverse at normal speeds, the
hydraulic drive is considered purged.
29