new to me john deere self propelled mower.

[JustinH]

So,

When I bought my house, the previous owner gave me a john deere self propelled lawnmower.

He was moving to an urban area and won't be mowing grass anymore.

Anyways, it has a briggs and stratton 6.5hp motor on it.

What is the best way to change the oil on this thing?

I dumped the oil out of an el cheapo lawnmower, and ended up flooding the engine and it would not start afterwards.

Going to fill it up with pennzoil 30w oil, a new air filter, and a new plug.

 

[901Memphis]

You could run it dry on gas before you tip it over. Unless there's a drain plug you want to warm it up a little then tilt it. If you don't warm it up its going to take longer to drain.

You could use a hand pump or mity vac type device but I doubt you'll get as much out on such a small sump.

 

[Rand]

mow grass
run nearly dry of gas. then tip over to drain oil.

go drink a beverage of your choice.

come back out.. tip back onto wheels. Add in fresh oil. fill gas.

put mower away

 

[Merkava_4]

I'd just pull the drain plug .... a lot easier than tipping it over.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I'd just pull the drain plug .... a lot easier than tipping it over.


Some engines no longer have a drain plug.

 

[old1]

It is true some no longer have a plug, and some that do, have so much stuff covering the bottom of the engine that they are not accessible. Modern engines are designed to drain properly through the dipstick tube.

 

[HM12460]

That was an expensive mower when new.

 

[Eddie]

If it has a drain plug, use it. Some engines have the drain plug hidden underneath the deck and use a hex plug. Never tip a mower to the side that has the carburetor on.

 

[Rand]

I didnt even think of a drain plug. all 7 lawn mowers 0/7 had drain plugs.

 

[901Memphis]

Have you decided on what oil your going to use in it? Amsoil has some pretty sweet small engine oil, or you could go with the tried and true Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30. Then theres Rotella 10w30.

 

[AandPDan]

It probably has a drain plug, my JS63C does.

You could flip it on it's side, make sure the carb side is up.

You can also get drill powered pump and drain it through the filler.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
Some engines have the drain plug hidden underneath the deck and use a hex plug.


Yes!! And some use a female square plug; my neighbor's Craftsman is like that.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: AandPDan
It probably has a drain plug, my JS63C does.

You could flip it on it's side, make sure the carb side is up.

You can also get drill powered pump and drain it through the filler.


My JS63 also has a drain plug. Same as the JS63C but with regular wheels up front instead of casters. I picked mine up for $75 off Craigslist from a guy that moved into a townhouse and didn't need it anymore. It's a great mower, starts on the first pull every single time. Even started on the first pull after sitting all winter. Mine just gets used for the places I can't get with the tractor.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I'd just pull the drain plug .... a lot easier than tipping it over.


Forgive me, but I've never quite understood the logic that somehow lifting/jacking the mower up while you work under it, plus getting the proper ratchet/extension/socket, is easier than what is quite literally a tool-free task of turning the mower on its side. As long as the oil drain is on the opposite side of the engine as the carburetor, which they nearly always are, you don't really run the risk of flooding the engine. And even if you do, it's pretty easy to fix that issue. On many mowers, especially ones that may not have been bought new, there's a very real risk of stripping the drain plug in the engine block. That's not such an easy fix.

These mower engines are designed to be drained by simply tipping them over. No tools are required. Simply tip it on its side. I've done that to mower engines for tens of years and haven't had any problems. I have found stripped drain plugs, which often turn into leakers. There's just no need to open that can of worms.

Alternatively, if you don't want to tip it, just get an inexpensive hand pump with a dip tube where you can pump out the old oil. It's still easier than jacking the mower up and laying down underneath it.

 

[lars11]

haha, yes, using the drain plug generally requires tipping the mower over too, so you may just as well drain using the filler tube.
Personally I use the plug anyways, if you remove it quickly you and put it back down over a jar to drain you can do this with a full tank too.

Most people don't put the little bugger on a lift...

 

[JustinH]

So carb side up, got it.

Thanks guys. I plan on running a stout 30w oil, whatever is looking good at walmart.