Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Five years ago when I bought a new lawn tractor, I was so overjoyed at having something I could depend on that I fell into a bad habit. It was new, so I didn't pay much attention to it. Since joining this forum, I've tried to make up for my errors. The other day I was cleaning-checking-lubing and it dawned on me that I'd never greased the zerks on it. Since it only has about 300 or so total hours I wasn't too worried...but I asked my neighbor to do it (since I didn't have a grease gun). I figured only a couple squirts on each fitting were needed....WRONG!!!  The front axle alone took more than two 14 ounce tubes of Lubriplate, and the fittings on the front wheels each took several squirts. I have seen the LIGHT!!!, and now have my own grease gun. I think these are the only four fittings on the machine (it's just a simple AYP with a 14.5 vertical opposed Briggs, 42 cut). It's had one mower belt replaced, also the steering drag link (probably due to lack of lube). Am still in a learning mode.

AZ  

If that aint a learning experiance than a borken bearings and wheels would teach you. Good thing you got to it ahead of time! Remember to also do the same thing with the oil in your engine. If you never change that, your going to get a engine seisure some day and your not going to be a happy guy!

I have kept up with the oil changes, although I probably left the original oil in it for too long. I keep Pennzoil straight 30 in it during the mowing season, but I put some Citgo 5w30 in at the end of last season because I like to fire it up every week or so...all winter long.

AZ

Az,

It's shocking how much grease certain areas can take. My front spindles on my Snapper tend to take a lot too. Wheel bearing on the boat trailer take quite a bit too. Good to see you on top of things, have you relaced your air filter yet? If it's dual stage it has a paper element surrounded by a foam filter. You can wash the foam filter, lightly oil it (amount of oil about the size of a nickle in your palm) and tap the paper filter being careful not to break, damage or tear it. Let the foam filter air dry, no blowdryers! I do it this way until I'm in need of a new paper filter.

Marshall, yes I have paid attention to the air filter. It's nearing time for a new one. That's next on my list. I have cleaned the foam filter several times over the years.

AZ

Marshall wrote: Ive never been a fan of oil on the foam part of a filter, & everything ive read suggests not oiling the foam on a precleaner, too much oil (which is easy to do) soaks through and contaminates the paper element thus blocking airflow. ive had better results just blowing the foam element from the inside out with compressed air, and doing so after every mowing

spottedpony wrote:
SP, do as you like but it's not nearly as effective as lightly oiling it, especially in OPE dusty conditions. I can see a in-town auto or something but even then, K&N Filters performance filters come oiled for the same reason. I recommend to others not to use a compressor on your foam filters, the high pressure air can and will enlarge the tiny hole openings in the foam and make it more pourous. It's also easy to ruin one without using care.

Hmmmm. I always rinse w/ a dot of dishwasher fluid rinse again, dry and pop back to use, have for decades.  Parlayed w/ the fact I have a small prayer vigil for the foam before putting it back to use.   "Go fooooooam, it's your birthday!!!!!" 

AZINOH---GLAD YOU ARE ON A  maintenance routine with your mower.  It is the life of a mower chassis---it will extend the life of shafts and bearings.   The one thing that to me sounds odd is the fact you state you used two (2) 14 oz. tubes of grease on 4 fittings.   That is a lot of grease. Anyway  I wish you luck for the rest of the life of the mower---Will

The fittings on mine like lots of grease too.  It appears that the grease goes into the whole column, and that is why is takes so much grease. 

AJace wrote:
Unless some is coming out unoticed? I had that happen once, only once though!

I stop when I see that, I hope I'm not breaking a seal or something.

Marshall,

Got the new air filter for the lawn tractor today. I was pleased (but surprised) that I was able to find it at the first place I went to, especially since I understand this Briggs engine ceased production in '01. (a 14.5 vertical opposed twin). Hopefully, other Briggs parts will be as easy to obtain if needed.

AZ

It may just be me, but it seems that twin cylinder engine parts stick around more than the single cylinder at the repair center. 

AJace wrote:

That's what surprised me the most...this wasn't really a "repair center". This place I go to is a somewhat scaled down version of HD-Lowes (along with food-work clothing-small appliances) , and has been in my town quite a looooong time. These filters were hanging on the rack one aisle over from where the Toro-LawnBoy-MTD push mowers were being displayed, along with a selection of other filters, belts and mufflers.

AZ

AZinOH wrote:
Sounds like the Andersens to me.??

Emmo wrote:

Emmo, you're right. It is The Andersons in Maumee. Only place I know of where you can get tools, paint, OPE, Honeybaked ham, Tony Packo's hot dogs and Carharts all under one roof.

AZ

AZinOH wrote:
We've got 2 of them in Columbus, one only a couple of miles away.

Yeah, pretty nice to go pick up a case of oil, a spool of trimmer line,  a new pair of Wolverine boots, a coffee maker, some home made Salsa and chips, cut to order steaks, a birthday cake, a case of natural lite, potting soil and 5 flats of flowers all in one trip!

Sounds like Walmart without all the hassle of people in the way and a more friendly environment.  Sounds like a place I'd shop at. 

Yeah they are friendlier and their people in Hardware, lumber, electrical etc know what they are doing.......the food dept is not that big but the produce is gourmet, the deli, bakery and meats are first rate and the wine and beer dept are huge. Nice garden center too.  They used to be family owned (may still be, I don't know) started in Toledo as a farm supply and feed mill.

The Andersons (Nasdaq: ANDE) has grown quite a bit from it's beginnings as a farm supply company. If interested, the corporate site is  www.andersonsinc.com and the retail store site is www.andersonsstore.com  I don't really know if the family is still involved, but I suspect it is. Also, there is www.andersonmowercenter.com , where I purchased my Toro 726.

AZ

   ABOUT THE ANDERSONS...


OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Dennis J. Addis President, Plant Nutrient Division Daniel  T. Anderson President, Retail Group Michael  J. Anderson President and Chief Executive Officer Richard  M. Anderson President, Processing Group Richard  P Anderson Chairman of the Board of Directors Thomas  H. Anderson Chairman Emeritus, Board of Directors

Looking at a partial listing of Chiefs, I'd say the family is still involved........