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Section 7

B. CHANGING HYDRAULIC OIL

The hydraulic oil should be changed after every 500 hours
or annually, whichever occurs first. The oil should also be
changed if the color of the fluid has become black or milky.
A black color and/or a rancid odor usually indicates possible
overheating of the oil, and a milky color usually indicates
water in the hydraulic oil.
- IMPORTANT -
The hydraulic oil should be changed if you notice
the presence of water or a rancid odor to the
hydraulic oil.
Park the mower on a level surface, stop the engine 1. and remove the ignition key.
Place a suitable container under the hydraulic 2. oil filter. Remove the fill cap from the reservoir.
Remove the drain plug from the fitting on the filter
base. See Figure 7-3. Allow the fluid to drain into the
container and properly discard it.
Re-install the drain plug into the tee fitting and be 3. sure it is tight.
- NOTE -
Before refilling the hydraulic oil reservoir the
hydraulic oil filter should be changed as outlined
in Procedure C "Changing Hydraulic Oil Filter
Element".
Fill the reservoir to full 2-1/4" inches below the filler 4. neck with 20W50 motor oil.
Replace the reservoir fill cap. Start the engine and 5. drive forward and backward for two minutes. Check
the oil level in the reservoir. If necessary, add oil to
the reservoir.
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM7.3

A. CHECkING HYDRAULIC OIL LEvEL

The hydraulic oil level should be checked after the first 8
hours of operation. Thereafter, check the oil after every
200 hours of machine operation or monthly, whichever
occurs first.
- IMPORTANT -
If the oil level is consistently low, check for leaks
and correct immediately.
Wipe dirt and contaminants from around the
1. reservoir cap. Remove the cap from the hydraulic oil
reservoir.
Visually check the level of hydraulic oil. Hydraulic 2. oil must be at least 2-1/4" inches from top of the
filler neck. If the level cannot be determined visually,
use a clean tape measure to check the level. If the
fluid is low, add 20W50 motor oil. DO NOT overfill;
(overfilling the oil reservoir may cause oil seepage
around the cap area).
Clean the fill cap and install it onto the reservoir.3.
HYDRAULIC OIL
RESERVOIR
Hydraulic Oil ReservoirFigure 7-2.