LUBRICATION
Transaxle Fluid Change
The transaxle is designed with an external fi lter
for ease of maintenance. To ensure constant fl uid
quality levels and longer life, an oil fi lter change
interval of every 400 hours is recommended.
The following procedure is performed with the
transaxles installed in the mower and the mower
on level ground. Apply the pump release valve for
each transaxle and set the park brake.
1. Remove the fi lter guard screws and fi lter
guard. Clean any loose debris from around
the perimeter of the fi lter.
2. Place an oil drain pan (12" or more diameter
and 8 qt. capacity is optimal) beneath the oil
fi lter. Remove the oil fi lter from the transaxle.
3. After the oil has drained, wipe the fi lter base
surface and apply a fi lm of new oil to the
gasket of the replacement fi lter.
4. Install the new fi lter by hand, turning it three-
quarters to one full turn after the fi lter gasket
contacts the fi lter base surface.
5. Reinstall the fi lter guard. Torque screws to
65 in/lbs. each.
6. Repeat steps on the opposite side.
7. Drain old oil fi lters of all free fl owing oil prior
to disposal. Place used oil in appropriate
containers and dispose of it in accordance
with laws in your area.
8. Remove the top port plug from the left and
right sides of the transaxles prior to fi lling with
oil. This will allow the transaxles to vent during
oil fi ll.
9. Remove the cap from the transaxles'
expansion tank located on the vehicle frame.
10. Fill with 20W50 motor oil until oil just appears
at the bottom of each transaxles' top port
(approximately two quarts per transaxle, four
quarts total). Install the top port plug into each
transaxle as the oil level reaches the port.
11. Install and torque the top port plugs to
180 in./lbs.
12. Continue to fi ll the transaxles through the
expansion tank until the FULL COLD line
is reached (this will take approximately 23
additional ounces).
13. Reinstall the expansion tank cap by hand. Be
careful to not overtighten.
Transmission Purging
Purge procedures must be implemented if
the hydrostatic system has been opened for
maintenance or when more oil has been added to
the system.
Due to the eff ects air has on effi ciency in
hydrostatic drive applications, it is critical to
purge the system. Resulting symptoms of air 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.
Before starting, make sure the oil tank is at the
proper oil level. If not, fi ll to the specifi cations
outlined above.
Perform the procedure fi rst with the vehicle drive
wheels off the ground, then repeated under
normal operating conditions.
See Moving Machine By Hand in the Operation
section for bypass linkage adjustments.
1. Disengage the brake if activated.
2. With the bypass linkage open and the
engine running at fast idle, slowly move the
directional control in both forward and reverse
directions (5 or 6 times). As air is purged from
the unit, the oil level will drop.
3. With the bypass linkage closed and the
engine running, slowly move the directional
control in both forward and reverse directions
(5 to 6 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.
5. After the vehicle has been used two times, the
oil level must be checked while the oil is cold
and adjusted accordingly.
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