First Fill for B&S 120600

[benjamming]

I decided on the self propelled Toro model 20055 mower with B&S 6.5HP engine model 120600. I bought a case of AMSOIL 4-stroke oil. Disregarding price, would you recommend using this oil for the first fill since the mower didn't come with oil? I am concerned about using a synthetic during break-in. Would it be better to just use the Toro labelled oil for the first fill?

 

[VaderSS]

According to Briggs, you can use a synthetic for break-in, but change the oil, no matter what it is, at 5-10 hours.

http://faqs.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faqs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=67

 

[Rickey]

If it were mine I would put an inexpensive 30w HD or 15w40 in it to begin with, then mow with it for an hour or two.

Then change it with more of the same type oil a few times at short intervals until there is little or no glitter in the drained oil.

At that point I would consider it broken in and start using a more expensive oil like the Amsoil mentioned along with manufacturers recommended drain intervals.

My two cents worth.

Rickey.

 

[Titan]

Similar to Ricky...I'd mow once, or not more than an hour. Drain, refill with whatever you like. I like HDEO 15-40's, because the engine will outlast the deck with inexpensive HDEO 15-40 if changed as per the owner's manual recommendations. If you are set on AmSoil (great oil, by the way), I'd put it in after the first short mow.

 

[benjamming]

The deck is 20-gauge aluminum so it should last a while, hopefully along with the engine.
Anyway, I wound up getting a qt of Toro summer mineral 30W and will run it for 8 hours, then drain & refill with the ASE.

 

[VaderSS]

Thinking about it, if it were mine, I'd probably change the oil after the first lawn, the again at the next, and then run it 5 hours on the Amsoil.

Just me. It's so easy to change the oil on a lawn mower and it holds so little.

 

[benjamming]

True, 20 oz isn't much. Ok, so you may have talked me into changing the first fill at 5 hours instead of 8.

BTW, thanks for your link. I was unaware of the B&S extensive FAQ.

Do any push mowers have oil filters? This one doesn't.

 

[VaderSS]

Toro 20057 has pressure lubrication, OHV, and a filter. $670 MSRP is a bit too steep for me though.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Sounds like one heck of a mower... I remember a Toro from the 80's, I can't remember the engine but it seemed to cut really nice and vibrate less than an el cheapo.... probably the heavier deck reduced vibration...

Anyways your plan of lubrication sounds worthy. Your motor will love the Amsoil...

 

[benjamming]

Well, how about that, your all over the mower stuff.

Hmm. Good thing I didn't see that model b/c I would have had to turn it down and been $ad.

 

[VaderSS]

Been researching one... Probably go with the 20055 myself. It's the same mower as the 20057, but with a conventional Briggs.

The 20057 sure is tempting though...

 

[benjamming]

I used it for 2 hours last night with the 1st cutting of the yard. The bermuda was 4" in some places but a majority of it was 9" - 12" with weeds higher than that. It never bogged down and did well. I would have cut it 2 weeks ago but I had to wait for them to get the mower in. I assumed it would be in stock. Shame on me.

 

[VaderSS]

How was the drive system on it? I've not used a self-propelled in decades, so I figure I'll adapt whatever it is, but I've heard some say they hate it.

 

[vronline]

I was going to buy the 20057, but the dealers I spoke with dissuaded me. Unless you're going to be mowing on some very steep banks, you shouldn't need this. I purchased the 20054 (no bag) and love it! Use the Amsoil you purchased or any 30w oil and you'll be fine.

 

[VaderSS]

Well, too late. I just ordered the the 20057. Making a few thousand in overtime this check, so I figured I'd splurge.

Now for a new string trimmer...

 

[harbor]

You'll love the 20057. Got one in April over the internet and broke it in with 30W dino. Switched to 30W Amsoil with a new filter after about 14 hrs. Runs great and mulches like crazy.

BTW, the filter cross references to a Napa Gold 1394 - way cheaper than the stock B&S filter. Also greased the rear wheel fittings with Mobil 1 grease.

 

[VaderSS]

I can't wait to get home and play.

 

[Bror Jace]

Back to original topic, 'jamming, I agree with VaderSS. You can't change oil often enough in the first 10 hours ... 3 times isn't really overkill.

And for these short stints, just about any weight (even 5W-30) is fine ... save the $$$ synthetics and special blends for later in the engine's life when you are tempted to go a full season on one oil change.

 

[benjamming]

Yeah, I have finally decided to change the first fill at 5 hours then do another 5 hour fill with Toro SAE30. The 3rd fill will be with the AMSOIL ASE 10w30 for 25 hours. After that, I think that I'll be able to go 50 hours on the 10w30 but we shall see. It takes ~ 1.5 hrs to mow the yard.

 

[Bror Jace]

That'll probably work fine.

I don't really have any set 'hour' rules for breaking in a new engine. I usually change the oil every 2-3 hours until I see the visible wear metals all but disappear when I drain out the old oil. Knowing there's still a fair amount circulating through the motor makes me what to give it another change quickly. All that micro-shrapnel makes me ill just thinking about it. :freak2:

All the OPE I take care of gets annual changes, and I never see any visible metal in any of the old oil.