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Just the way you have to take care of the garden, you have to take care of the garden types of equipment. Along with the lawn mowers, you should frequently change the mower oil. The oil is essential for the engine’s performance. Now you may be thinking about how to change lawn mower oil? Here we will provide a systematic, detailed guide regarding the same for your better understanding.
Time For Changing the Mower Oil
For better maintenance and performance of your lawn mower, you have to change the engine oil. Again, people think about how often to change lawn mower oil. It depends on certain factors like land measurement, grass-cutting quantity by the mower, and some environmental factors.
However, there are some general rules that everyone can follow for changing the mower oil frequently. They are as follows;
Temperature
In case you live in the warm region, or during summers, land mowing is required more. Hence, in such a case, you will have to change the oil within 4-5 months approximately.
First Time Users
When you have newly purchased the land mower, you should use it for 3-4 hours. Then you can change the engine oil. Now the question is, it is not an easy task to understand the exact time. Therefore, you can change the oil post 3-4 times using the new land mower. This lawn riding mower oil change will help to balance the land mower while mowing.
Heavy Use
If you have used the mower for high-end grass cutting for hours, you should change the oil. For instance, you have spent a hard day mowing the tall wet grass or have a mower throughout the high temperature.
In such cases, the mower engine feels immense pressure. For that reason, you can change the lubricant. Therefore, the next time when you use the mower, it will run better. You can check the color of the oil and understand if the mower can run through with that oil or not.
In this context, know that for two-stroke mowers, you can mix oil with gasoline. If you have four-stroke mower oil, then you have to take care of your mower more as compared to the regular ones.
Types of Equipment Needed To Change Lawn Mower Oil
For lawn mower oil change, you should always read the manual that you get with the mower. It will give you accurate directions to change and use the oil of the engine. Skipping this step is a bad idea. Changing mower oil or filter may sound like a quick task, but few things to consider. However, we will talk about few necessary types of equipment that are required during the mower oil change.
Lid & Bucket
You will need a container to hold the previous oil if it spills over. Preferably, a bucket with a lid will be ideal for this. It can contain the overflowing oil better in it. The lid of the bucket or bottle should be tight enough that it does not allow air to pass through easily.
Rags
You have to keep the oil rags close by. While the oil change, these rags, either wet or dry, can help to soak the extra oil that has been spilled out.
You can also clean the deck of the mower with this rag. Once you have finished cleaning the extra oil, make sure to dry the rags and do not pile them.
Funnel
While you pour the mower oil into the engine, you will need a proper funnel. It helps to make the work hassle-free. Moreover, it will control the spilling of the oil too.
Gloves
While changing the lawn mower oil, wear gloves for precaution. It can keep you safe. Moreover, the oil, if spilled, will not get in your hands easily.
Oil Filter Change
In case the manual guide says to change the oil filter, then you should follow the instructions on how to change the lawn mower oil filter. Again, the lawn mower oil filters will always keep the oil clear. The good news about oil filters is that you will not have to change them frequently. You can change or replace the filters once a year. However, you should keep an eye on the condition of the filter.
Pliers & Wrenches
You will need the pliers and wrenches during the oil filter change. Therefore, you should keep these handy.
Engine Oil
Many people often wonder can you use car oil in a lawn mower. The answer is no. For the specific need of the mower, there is specialized engine oil. You can do some research online or in the market to avail the best oil for a lawn mower.
Again, in this context, you should know the typical requirements of the mower and buy the engine oil accordingly. Do not invest in motor oils sold by cheap stores in the name of mower engine oil.
Mower Oil You Should Use According To Situations
The lawn mower capacity and size depending on which type of mower oil you should add inside it.
There are mainly two classifications of the mower oil-
- Motor Oil
- Oil for small engine
The formulation in these two types of oil varies according to the manufacturers. We are providing a generalized lawn mower oil variety here;
SAE 30 is ideal for small lawn mowers. The engines are cool with a viscosity rate of 30. It is single-graded. However, the model type is a bit old.
SAE10W-30 is ideal for a balanced temperature of the engine. It means this mower oil will work both in high and cold areas.
SAE 5W-30 is used in the cold temperature of the engine. It is an example of multi-grade oil, which has a lower viscosity.
Synthetic SAE5W-30 is artificial engine oil. The advantage of using this oil is its adaptability in any temperature conditions. They are stable.
Vanguard 15W-50 is best for commercial purposes. This engine oil works better in the high-temperature range of 25-30 degrees.
Precaution Steps For Land Mower Oil Changing
You can follow the following step-by-step process for changing the mower engine oil.
- Go in a safe place and start the oil change process.
- Keep your children or pets away while changing the oil. You should also check that oil dies not to spill in the plants if you have any.
- Always put a ragged cloth under the flat surface. Place the mower on it while changing the oil. The cloth can soak the extra oil if it gets spilled.
Steps For How To Change Lawn Mower Oil
Before we jump into the process of changing the oil of the mower engine, you have read the brand’s manual well. Every manual is different from others. We are providing a generalized process to change the mower oil below;
Bring All Tools
Collect all the necessary equipment and tools before lawn mower oil change. It is essential to gather them all up so that you don’t have to run here and there afterward while oil changes. You should also choose a flat surface to change the oil.
Switch Off Engine
Run the motor for some time and then completely turn it off. You do not want any accidents to occur in the engine. Therefore, unplug the spark wire from the engine. If you are using the push mower, it is located on the front side. Let your mower cool for 10-15 minutes. Maintain distance from the mower and no need to touch it unnecessarily at this time.
Oil Draining
At the bottom side of the mower, you will get the drain plug. Again, in some mowers, it is located either on the right or left side. In the case of a push lawn mower or riding one, you can tilt the entire machine for spilling the oil from it.
Few mowers do not have a twisting cap. For such cases, you can let the valve loose with a wrench. To begin the oil change process, tilt the mower on one side. Add the funnel pipe and patiently pour the old oil into the pan.
Sparking Plugs Check
For safety purposes, change the spark plug. One of the advantages of removing the plugged wire is there are fewer chances of accidents. Clean the motor well. Many times, after grass cutting, you may notice an accumulation of debris in the motor. Hence, during oil changing, you should clean all the dirt and debris from there.
Time For Filter
Whenever you find the storage of dirt in the filter of the lawn mower, just change it. The replacement of the filter will not damage the mower engine at all. Therefore, do not worry about it. With a simple wrench, you can twist the valve to change the oil filter.
When you are placing the new oil filter, make sure to clean the gasket side. Check if the oil filter is well-lubricated or not. Now you have to add up the new filter and tight it firmly so that oil does not leak from there.
Pouring New Oil
Sponge off any leftover oil found on the flat surface. The same funnel you have used to clear out the old is required to pour the new oil into the motor. Clean and check if any contamination is found in the new oil. Add the oil inside the port area. Do not panic.
Go Slow While Adding The Fresh Oil
You can use a dipstick to measure the oil level; Again, you can understand if you need more oil to reach the correct level.
Disposal Of Tarnished Mower Oil
The last step is to discard the oil. For environmental value, recycling the previously used oil is a brilliant idea. Again, it may not be a smooth task for you to recycle the oil alone. You can call the car mechanics or any garage professionals to help you with the disposing process of the oil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to change the oil in the lawn mower without a drain plug?
Suppose there is no drain plug present in the lawn mower. You can use an oil pan to change the oil. Be careful. It can spill a lot of oil in this method. You can tilt the entire mower while draining the oil from it to the pan. Again, with an evacuator pump, you can pump out the old oil present in the mower.
How to change the oil in riding a lawn mower?
For riding lawn mowers, you should change the oil every12 month. You can place the draining plug in the motor downwards. By attaching the hose and funnel, you can drain out the previous oil. Then change the oil filter. At this time, you can add fresh oil to the gasket. Tighten the filter well and close the lid of the valve. Keep checking the level of the oil to understand if you need to add more. The last step is to start the mower engine.
How to drain oil from a lawn mower?
You should open the mower hood to check the drain plug. Now you have to lift the rear edge. It is located near or in between the steering wheel. Once you have found the drain plug, you can rotate the hood downward to drain the oil.
How often to change lawn mower oil?
For better performance of the lawn mower engine, an oil change is necessary. You can change the oil after 4-5 hours if it is a new mower. Again, if you are using the mower in summer or spring, then you can wait to 40-50 hours of working on the mower. Then change the oil.
In this context, know that for two-stroke mowers, you can mix oil with gasoline. If you have a four-stroke mower, then you have to maintain it without gasoline.
What happens if you don’t change the lawn mower oil?
With time and usage of the lawn mower, the oil accumulates dirt. Again, the oil can lose the original cooling capacity with which it can keep the engine stable. Therefore, if you do not change the oil, it can affect the motor engine.
Conclusion
Taking care of machines can help you in the end. When you are investing in a lawn mower, you are already spending a lot of money. No one wants to buy a lawn mower every 6 months. Therefore, the best way to avoid that is to maintain the mower parts and change the oil accordingly. For a better engine life, changing the mower oil and filter is essential.
