Did You Do A "Break-In" Oil Change On Your Riding Lawn Mower/Zero-Turn?

[SA1]

Hey guys, great thread lots of great info. I just bought a Ariens apex 52, I got 2 hours on it lol, it has the Kawasaki FR691V 726cc, for a engine. I have a question for you guys with this engine, I noticed on start up I get a bit of blue smoke just for a second or to, its really just a puff of it that comes out on start up. Is that normal? I'll probably just run Kawasaki oil in it, 10w40 for our climate up here, not sure for a filter yet.
It also has the zt-3100 transaxles , with external filter on them.

 

[MParr]

Hey guys, great thread lots of great info. I just bought a Ariens apex 52, I got 2 hours on it lol, it has the Kawasaki FR691V 726cc, for a engine. I have a question for you guys with this engine, I noticed on start up I get a bit of blue smoke just for a second or to, its really just a puff of it that comes out on start up. Is that normal? I'll probably just run Kawasaki oil in it, 10w40 for our climate up here, not sure for a filter yet.
It also has the zt-3100 transaxles , with external filter on them.

Run it like you stole it. Don’t worry about a little blue smoke at start up on a new engine.

 

[Pablo]

Run it like you stole it. Don’t worry about a little blue smoke at start up on a new engine.

Agree needs some full throttle mowing and call us in a couple weeks

 

[SA1]

Agree needs some full throttle mowing and call us in a couple weeks

Cool thanks guys, This mower will get lots of use, so I'll probably be doing an oil/filter change tomorrow night,

MParr I think you mention that the FRAM TG4967 oil filter fits this engine, is that correct? or do you think there is maybe a better filter I should use,

I'll also ask about oil, there is a Kawasaki dealer only a km away from me so its just easy to get their oil, so for the first change i'll use that anyhow, but I think they make like 3 different ones Kteck, S4 and KPO, Not really sure what the difference is, is there one that you would recommend. Thanks

 

[jeepman3071]

Cool thanks guys, This mower will get lots of use, so I'll probably be doing an oil/filter change tomorrow night,

MParr I think you mention that the FRAM TG4967 oil filter fits this engine, is that correct? or do you think there is maybe a better filter I should use,

I'll also ask about oil, there is a Kawasaki dealer only a km away from me so its just easy to get their oil, so for the first change i'll use that anyhow, but I think they make like 3 different ones Kteck, S4 and KPO, Not really sure what the difference is, is there one that you would recommend. Thanks

The TG4967 is a great filter, I run both those and the PH4967 on Kawasakis all the time with great results. I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

 

[SA1]

The TG4967 is a great filter, I run both those and the PH4967 on Kawasakis all the time with great results. I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

Thank you very much, I was just reading some of your post, lol , about oil in commercial mowers etc.

 

[Skippy722]

Hey guys, great thread lots of great info. I just bought a Ariens apex 52, I got 2 hours on it lol, it has the Kawasaki FR691V 726cc, for a engine. I have a question for you guys with this engine, I noticed on start up I get a bit of blue smoke just for a second or to, its really just a puff of it that comes out on start up. Is that normal? I'll probably just run Kawasaki oil in it, 10w40 for our climate up here, not sure for a filter yet.
It also has the zt-3100 transaxles , with external filter on them.

Mine occasionally gives a puff of smoke, but otherwise doesn’t seem to burn any oil.

 

[SA1]

Ok so I see guys saying online they use M1 15w50, in these engines, But why? is it because its a heavier viscosity, or is it made with extra additives, or have additives that other oils don't, or is it more to do with the temperatures where they live?

I'm thinking that oil maybe to heavy for our weather, this week the temps are anywhere from 60f to 90F, as summer goes on I'm sure we'll have at least month of mostly 80 to 90+ at least I hope lol , what grade oil would you guys use. Thanks

 

[jeepman3071]

Ok so I see guys saying online they use M1 15w50, in these engines, But why? is it because its a heavier viscosity, or is it made with extra additives, or have additives that other oils don't, or is it more to do with the temperatures where they live?

I'm thinking that oil maybe to heavy for our weather, this week the temps are anywhere from 60f to 90F, as summer goes on I'm sure we'll have at least month of mostly 80 to 90+ at least I hope lol , what grade oil would you guys use. Thanks

A lot of the guys who mow commercially with Kawasakis notice oil consumption. 15w50 being heavier viscosity tends to burn off slower in the Kawasaki engines, so it means lower risk of blowing an engine if the crew running the mowers doesn't check the oil. If I lived in a hotter climate with year-round use like Texas or Florida I might use that, but here in New England 15w40 works just fine.

 

[Skippy722]

Ok so I see guys saying online they use M1 15w50, in these engines, But why? is it because its a heavier viscosity, or is it made with extra additives, or have additives that other oils don't, or is it more to do with the temperatures where they live?

I'm thinking that oil maybe to heavy for our weather, this week the temps are anywhere from 60f to 90F, as summer goes on I'm sure we'll have at least month of mostly 80 to 90+ at least I hope lol , what grade oil would you guys use. Thanks

15w50 would be fine, Kawasaki says 20w50 is good down to 32F. Just follow the warm up instructions if you’re real worried, 3-5 minutes at half throttle once started, then full throttle is recommended… or about how long it takes me to put my AirPods in and find a good song.

That being said, I run 15w40 HDEO like Valvoline Blue or Rotella. It’s also really easy to find, Meijer doesn’t seem to have any 15w50.

 

[SA1]

Thanks guys, mine is going to be use light commercially 3 to 5 hours a day average, I'll start with the 10w 40 and see how it goes.

 

[sw99]

Make sure to check/adjust the valves on the Kawi after a couple years.

 

[MParr]

Cool thanks guys, This mower will get lots of use, so I'll probably be doing an oil/filter change tomorrow night,

MParr I think you mention that the FRAM TG4967 oil filter fits this engine, is that correct? or do you think there is maybe a better filter I should use,

I'll also ask about oil, there is a Kawasaki dealer only a km away from me so its just easy to get their oil, so for the first change i'll use that anyhow, but I think they make like 3 different ones Kteck, S4 and KPO, Not really sure what the difference is, is there one that you would recommend. Thanks

FRAM TG4967
STP S4967
Super Tech MP 4967
I really like the Super Tech MP4967 for the Kawasaki and the Super Tech MP 3614 for Kohler.
For oil, Rotella T5 15W40 or Motorcraft Super Duty 15W40

 

[odie]

Always do drain and fill of factory oil for recommended range of hours . This applies to big or small engines .

 

[Davejam]

It seems FRAM website references PH4967.
But let me ask...why not a XG4967?

 

[racer12306]

I have a Gravely ProTurn 52 (Kaw FS691)

I did first change at 5 hours, 2nd change at 10 hours, 3rd change at 20 hours. Then at 100, 200, 300.

First two changes were conventional 30 iirc. Then at 20 hours I went with Amsoil Small Engine 10w30/30 and have been using it since. Currently at 340 hours with no oil consumption. I do 100 hours in about a season and a half. The Amsoil used to have the dual rating of 10w30/30 but it now just says 10w30 but it doesn't look like the specs changes much if at all.

I would think that 15w50 would do just fine in it.

I typically use the PH3614 size filter because it fits. Cross that into your favorite brand. No real need to use Kawasaki brand. I've used Fram Ultra, Motorcraft, Purolator red, etc. There is a shorter filter that would work if necessary, it's a 3/4"-16" thread.

I have the 3200 transaxles and they're pretty straight forward. Recommendation is first change at 75 hours. then every 400 hours after that. Just make sure you follow the bleeding procedure. I developed a weird leak over the winter that I think is coming from the filter, but I've been lazy and haven't dug into it but its a trivial amount of loss. I topped it off for the first mow and it hasn't shown any discernable loss since. I definitely need to check into it soon.

In case anyone was curious.....


The hydro leak was from a loose filter. Really weird. It was perfectly fine for over 200 hrs, then started a slow leak. It's been a week since tightening, no loss observed after sitting for a week.

 

[SA1]

FRAM TG4967
STP S4967
Super Tech MP 4967
I really like the Super Tech MP4967 for the Kawasaki and the Super Tech MP 3614 for Kohler.
For oil, Rotella T5 15W40 or Motorcraft Super Duty 15W40

Thanks MParr, and everyone else for the replies, My plans changed lol, I did get a Fram TG4967 filter, but the kaw. dealer had nothing for oil, just the cheap mineral oil, and I wanted to change it tonight as i'm pushing 5 hours and I'll have a long day tomorrow, So I ended up getting a 10w30 kohler synthetic blend. not ideal but I'll put maybe 8-10 hours on it.

Funny you mention Rotella T5 15w40 that looks like the only oil I'll be able to source locally, one of the box stores (canadian Tire) carries it. I'l pick up a jug in the next few days. Thanks .

 

[SHOZ]

My new JD Z320M has enough room for a FL1A sized filter. Any advantage? Capacity without filter is 2L.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

My machines are generally ancient when I get them so no break in needed. I like running Rotella in my '69 JD 140 and '86 JD 318.

 

[racer12306]

My new JD Z320M has enough room for a FL1A sized filter. Any advantage? Capacity without filter is 2L.

Theoretically, yes. More oil, more filter area more betterer.

Realistically, you probably would not notice any difference in true life.