•Grasp the side panel just behind the grille and pull outward to release the side panel from the tapered bushings on the grille.

•Slide the side panel forward and out of the groove in the dash panel.

Draining the Oil

Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the oil in the crankcase to warm up. Warm oil will flow more freely and carry away more of the engine sediment which may have settled at the bottom of the crankcase. Use care to avoid burns from hot oil.

•Unscrew oil fill cap and remove dipstick from the oil fill tube

•Pop open the protective cap on the end of the oil drain valve to expose the drain port. See Figure 20.

Oil Fill Cap

Oil Filter

Oil Filter

DrainPlug

Oil Drain Hose

Drain Port

Figure 20

•Push the oil drain hose (packed with this manual) onto the oil drain port. Route the opposite end of the hose into an appropriate oil collection container with a capacity great enough to collect the used oil (approximately four pints or 64 oz.).

•Push the oil drain valve in slightly, then rotate counterclockwise and pull outward to begin draining oil. See Figure 20.

•After the oil has finished draining, push the oil drain valve back in, rotate it clockwise to lock the valve closed and re-cap the end of the oil drain valve to keep debris from entering the drain port.

IMPORTANT: Always change the oil filter when performing an oil change on your tractor’s engine.

Changing the Oil Filter

After draining the oil, proceed as follows:

NOTE: Refer to the Attachments & Accessories table found on page 32 of this manual for the proper oil filter.

•Before removing the old oil filter, clean around its base to prevent debris from entering the crankcase.

•Remove the oil filter drain plug located at the base of the oil filter adapter. Allow the oil filter to drain before replacing the oil filter drain plug. See Figure 20.

•Grasp the oil filter and remove it from the filter adapter by turning it counterclockwise.

•Place a new replacement filter in a shallow pan with the open end up and pour new oil of the proper type (see chart on page 19), in through the threaded center hole.

IMPORTANT: Stop pouring when the oil reaches the bottom of the threads and allow a minute or two for the oil to be absorbed by the filter material.

•Put a drop of oil on your fingertip and apply a light coating to the gasket of the new oil filter.

•Install the replacement oil filter on the engine by turning it clockwise onto the filter adapter until the rubber gasket makes contact with the base. Tighten the filter an additional 1/2 turn after the gasket first makes contact.

Re-filling the Crankcase with Oil

IMPORTANT: The engine (with oil filter) has a capacity of four pints (64 oz.). Do NOT overfill. Always check the level on the dipstick as instructed on page 19 before adding more oil.

NOTE: For the proper oil type, refer to the chart on page 19 of this manual.

•Clean the area around the oil fill tube to prevent debris from entering the crankcase.

•Slowly pour oil into the fill tube. Fill the crankcase until the oil level reaches the full (F) mark on the dipstick (Refer to Figure 18).

•Reinstall the oil fill cap/dipstick securely into the oil fill tube.

IMPORTANT: The oil fill cap/dipstick must be installed

securely onto the tube at all times when the engine

is operating. Severe engine damage could result from a failure to do so.

•Start the tractor engine and allow it to run for thirty seconds, then stop the engine and remove the ignition key.

•Check the oil level and add oil if necessary. Do not overfill the engine crankcase.

•Examine the area around the base of the oil fill tube, the oil filter adapter, and the oil drain valve for leaks before operating the tractor.

IMPORTANT: If leaks are present, have your engine serviced by your Cub Cadet dealer before operating the tractor.

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