Maintenance Instructions

LUBRICATION

Mower Deck Gearbox Lubrication

The mower deck gearboxes (tee gearbox and blade drive gearboxes) are connected as a unitized assembly, and oil flows freely between them. The gearboxes are permanently lubricated (oil filled) and sealed requiring no scheduled lubrication. However, the gearbox oil seals should be checked every 25 hours for indication of an oil leak; particularly the lower seals on the blade drive gearboxes should be inspected, since they operate in a dirty environment. If an oil leak is noted, replace the oil seal and relu- bricate the gearbox assembly as follows:

1.Remove gearbox cover (footrest). Deck orien- tation should be the normal operating position.

Blade Drive

Gearboxes

Tee

Gearbox

Mower Deck Gearboxes

(shown with gearbox cover removed for clarity)

2.Clean the area around the individual gearbox cover plates to prevent contaminants from entering the gearcase.

3.Remove the screws securing the cover plates on the blade drive gearboxes.

4.Check the level of lubricant in the gearboxes. If the lubricant is low, add SAE E.P. (Extreme Pressure) 90W oil until the oil level is up to (sub- merges) the horizontal shaft in the gearbox (shaft parallel to cover plate).

NOTE: In case the gearboxes are completely drained of oil, approximately 5 fl. oz. (15 cl) of oil per gearbox is required to refill the gear drive assembly.

NOTE: Since the gearboxes are connected as a unit by connector tubes, it is necessary to add oil slowly. Allow a few minutes after adding oil for the oil to flow throughout the assembly and the oil level to stabilize before reassembly.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT overfill the deck gear- boxes. The gearbox assembly is not vented, and overfilling with oil will cause excessive pressure and result in oil leaks.

5.Check condition of the cover gasket and replace

if worn or damaged. Reinstall gearbox cover plates; torque screws to 24 in-lb (2.7 N·m).

Transaxle Lubrication

•The transaxle oil lubrication is SAE 20W-50 en- gine oil.

•Inspect both transaxle cases and hoses after ev- ery 100 hours of operation for visible leaks.

•The fluid levels for each transaxle can be checked visually by looking at the fluid levels in each expansion reservoir. When the transaxles are cold, the fluid level in the expansion reservoirs should be between 1/4" and 1/2" (.64 cm and 1.27 cm).

Reservoir Cap

Hot Level

Cold Level

Expansion Reservoir Location

40