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Maintenance Instructions LUBRICATION
5
2
Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid
Checking Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid Level
Hydrostatic transmission fluid level should be
checked every 25 hours of machine operation. It is
preferable to check the fluid level when fluid is
cold. Check fluid level as follows:
1. Park the mower on a level surface. Stop the
engine and wipe dirt and contaminants from
around the reservoir cap and air bleed plug.
IMPORTANT: Before removing the reservoir
cap, clean any dirt from around it. Any dirt or con-
taminants entering the transmission will acceler-
ate wear and eventually cause loss of power to
the drive wheels.
2. Remove the reservoir cap and check the level
of the fluid. The reservoir has a fluid level COLD
mark and HOT mark. The reservoir oil level
should ALWAYS be at or above the COLD
mark and NEVER above the HOT mark.
Transmission Reservoir
and Air Bleed Plug Location
3. If the fluid is below the COLD mark (or the trans-
mission is not performing properly), loosen the
air bleed plug (located on the top of transmis-
sion case next to the plastic reservoir).
a. If a small amount of fluid leaks from around
the air bleed plug:
* The transmission is full of fluid.
* Tighten the plug and fill the reservoir to
the COLD level mark.
b. If no fluid leaks from around the air bleed
plug:
* Slowly add fluid into the reservoir until
fluid starts to leak from around the plug.
(Transmissions are serviced from the
factory with Mobil DTE 18M hydraulic
oil. When it is necessary to add fluid,
refer to Specifications for the proper flu-
id. Any of the listed fluids may be
used.)
* As soon as there is fluid leaking from
around the air bleed plug, tighten the
plug and fill the reservoir to the COLD
level mark. Wipe any excess oil off of
the transmission housing.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT overfill the transmission
reservoir. This will result in oil leaking out of the res-
ervoir cap vent when the transmission warms up. It
is preferable to add fluid to the transmission when it
is cold and make sure the oil is not above or be-
low the COLD level mark.
IMPORTANT: The transmission reservoir has a
fine mesh screen in the bottom to trap dirt and for-
eign particles from entering the transmission. When
filling the reservoir, fluid will flow quite slowly
through this screen; so it is essential that there is flu-
id at the bleed plug before the transmission is con-
sidered full.
IMPORTANT: Any attempt to remove or in any way
alter the filtering screen in the transmission reservoir
could cause damage to the transmission and will
VOID any transmission warranty.
Changing Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid
The hydrostatic fluid should be changed every 1000
hours or two (2) years. Also, the fluid should be
changed if the natural color of the fluid has become
black or milky (indicating possible overheating or
water contamination of fluid). The transmission may
be refilled using any of the fluids listed in
Specifications. The fluid is changed as follows:
1. Park the mower on a level surface and stop the
engine.
2. Remove the lower drain plug and the air bleed
plug. Allow the fluid to drain out.
IMPORTANT: Clean any dirt from around the
plugs and reservoir cap before removing them.
Cold Level
Reservoir Cap
Hot Level
Air Bleed Plug