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- Nov 29, 2009
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changing it frequently is probably the best thing you could do for a small engine.
Post your latest small engine oil change
- Thread starter greenaccord02
- Start date
Twice the machine as a new AYP manufactured big box store mower.
AYP no longer exists.
My grandpa bought a new 1987 417-A. That Kohler opposed twin was quite the engine. All I remember it requiring repair wise was one set of ignition points. When we traded it on his new ZT in 2008 the Hobbs showed 1980 hours.
Did plow duty in the winter with a fabric cab. Mowed 2.5 acres. Not sure why he decided to trade it and keep around all the cheap box store mowers for the other properties but whatever. I’ve finally gotten rid of all box store junk and we have a nice fleet of ZT mowers.
I’m not sure why they haven’t come up with a better solution over the years. Our newest ZTs have nice drain hoses but they aren’t quite long enough. The filters still make a monster mess. I just put as much pig mat under them as I can but it still finds its way onto the frame/ground. The best one is the newer KT7000 kohler we have. Filter is higher so you can shape the mat more like a bowl.
At least it’s not like my aunts MercCruiser. Remote filter mounted upside down and no provision to drain the oil away. Flat plate under the filter seal so it just goes everywhere in all directions. Sigh.
It's all cost cutting. The really high end commercial mowers have it figured out. A nice oil drain hose, and a director plate under the filter for draining it. All of the others are saving a buck by just mounting the engine and letting the owner/servicing dealer figure out maintenance later.
Exactly. Changing frequently on a splash lubed engine with no oil filter is the best thing you can do compared to running an expensive boutique oil.
2001 Scag Z-Cat 36" zero turn mower - 19hp Kawasaki FH580V - friend picked up from a local public works sale for his Christmas tree farm and supplied all fluids/filters. It did come with service records, has 3317 hours on it.
Engine:
Out: black Rotella T 10w30, Baldwin filter
In: Valvoline synthetic 20w50, Kawasaki filter
Hydros:
Out: Mobil 1 15w50, Baldwin filter
In: Valvoline synthetic 20w50, Scag 10 micron hydro filter
Also did spark plugs, air filter, blade sharpen, replaced fuel lines/fuel filter and greased.
1997 Toro Super Recycler - Briggs 163cc OHV re-power from last year
Out: Rotella T4 15w40
In: Rotella T4 15w40
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I just put a bunch of paper towels under the filter. Then remove the paper towels after the filter is removed. My $11,000 mower drains onto the transmission lol
Yeah some manufacturers really don't care about ease of maintenance. I love my Kubota compact tractor, it is very easy to maintain and well thought out. My grandfather has a much larger Massey Ferguson tractor, and maintenance on that thing is a nightmare, they basically put the filters and drains where it is impossible to reach and sure to make a mess.
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Honestly, both my mowers drain between the tire and the deck, the fact that they're short isn't really a problem. Get you one of those black plastic 10qt pans for $4 at Walmart and you can place the pan under the deck
Redline is good oil, just make sure you change it often to get the contaminants out.
I'll probably put in a longer hose. Easy enough to do.
Yours looks clean.
Mine looks like it was driven into a tire barrier by Danny Ricciardo.
Redline is worth the money
I’ll get two full oil changes out of a quart
That’s cheap
Neighbor's Craftsman tractor - 26hp Briggs Intek V-Twin
Out: Rotella T 15w40, Motorcraft FL-910S
In: Mobil Delvac 15w40, Fram PH3614
Out: Rotella T 15w40, Motorcraft FL-910S
In: Mobil Delvac 15w40, Fram PH3614
Craftsman mower with Honda gvc 160 . Out Shell 10w30 in Ace straight 30 SL rated. Vacuumed the air filter bought fresh 89 octane gas filed the blade to sharp. About 15 years old getting wobbly but starts on first pull never any issues
Girlfriend’s secondhand Husqvarna mower that she bought for $40 from a friend. Used only once by her (last year) and put away when it didn’t work well. It has a 190cc Briggs & Stratton 725EX series engine.
I decided to take a look at it earlier this week to see what the issue might be. First things first: check and change the oil.
Out: A few drops of the blackest oil I’ve ever seen. Oh no. This isn’t going to be good.
In: SuperTech full syn 5w-30
I ran it for a few minutes, then dumped the fresh oil out. Dark, silvery, sparkly sadness. Oof. I went through a few more cycles of filling, running, and draining, and the sparkles continued. I finally decided to fill the crankcase one last time, use the mower, and let the chips fall where they may. Sure enough, it seizes frequently out in the yard.
Time for a new mower!
I decided to take a look at it earlier this week to see what the issue might be. First things first: check and change the oil.
Out: A few drops of the blackest oil I’ve ever seen. Oh no. This isn’t going to be good.
In: SuperTech full syn 5w-30
I ran it for a few minutes, then dumped the fresh oil out. Dark, silvery, sparkly sadness. Oof. I went through a few more cycles of filling, running, and draining, and the sparkles continued. I finally decided to fill the crankcase one last time, use the mower, and let the chips fall where they may. Sure enough, it seizes frequently out in the yard.
Time for a new mower!
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