How to change the oil in the engine of a walk-behind tractor

Oil for walk-behind tractor

When buying a single-axle tractor, you want to be sure that it will serve for a long time, carefully and efficiently performing all the functions assigned to it. Undoubtedly, the quality of the unit is a very important aspect when choosing a walk-behind tractor. However, it is worth remembering that timely and correct maintenance of the mechanism is the key to its durability and performance. Not a single device will serve you faithfully if you do not take care of it, changing consumables in time, tightening the necessary nuts, checking the oil level.

Any walk-behind tractor owner wondered about changing the oil for the walk-behind tractor. I would like to do this in accordance with all the instructions so that the further operation of the unit occurs without failures and malfunctions. So, in our article we will tell you which oil you need to use and how to change the oil in the walk-behind tractor.

First, let’s consider 3 main questions about oil for a diesel walk-behind tractor with a water cooling system:

1) how to fill and check the oil level in the engine crankcase

2) how to fill and check the oil level in the gear case

3) how to fill oil into the air filter.

48″ Lesco Walk Behind Lawn Mower

Filling with oil or checking the oil level in the engine crankcase

First of all, it is necessary to place the single-axle tractor on a flat, horizontal surface. Next, you need to clean the surface around the filler neck for filling oil into the engine crankcase (in the picture below you can see where it is located).

Thereafter. Unscrew the oil filler plug and fill in the required amount of oil using a funnel. Using the dipstick, you can check the level. To do this, wipe the dipstick dry, insert the dipstick plug into the filler neck without twisting it along the thread, remove the dipstick plug and make sure that the oil level is between the “minimum” and “maximum” marks. In the picture below, you will see how to work with the probe correctly.

Please note: if you check the oil level in the walk-behind tractor on a warmed-up engine or gearbox, you must wait a few minutes after stopping. So the oil will drain back into the crankcase, and the check will show the correct result.

Filling with oil or checking the oil level in the gear case

With the single-axle tractor on a flat horizontal surface, clean the gearbox housing near the plastic filler plug located under the handlebar mounting bracket and near the inspection hole bolt located on the right side of the gearbox.

Next, loosen the control hole bolt. In the event that oil begins to flow from the hole, then its level is normal. If the oil does not flow, then the oil level is insufficient. In this case, unscrew the control hole bolt, open the plastic filler cap of the gearbox and use an angle funnel or flexible hose to fill the gearbox with oil until it flows out of the control hole. Now screw the inspection plug tightly, close the filler cap and wipe off any oil drips from the gear housing.

To fill the oil bath of the air filter, unscrew the wing nut of the filter cover, remove the filter element from the sump, pour 100-150 engine oil into the sump (according to the level mark on the oil bath housing), reinstall the filter element together with sealing rubber bands and the filter cover, secure it with a wing nut

Oil and Oil Filter change for any commercial walk behind.

Please pay special attention that you CANNOT start the engine without the air filter installed, and also with the filter without the required amount of oil. This will inevitably lead to accelerated wear of the device.!

Factory standard uses oil for water-cooled four-stroke diesel engines in the walk-behind tractor engine and air filter. When replacing with another type of lubricant, it must be borne in mind that the oil must have the specificity of SG, SF or higher. Select engine oil in accordance with the SAE viscosity-temperature characteristic. Depending on the ambient temperature, it is allowed to use 5W-30, 10W-30, 15W-40 engine oil or oils with a wider temperature range. Please refer to the illustration below to determine the most correct oil type.

To reduce the wear of mechanical transmission parts and prevent the appearance of scoring on the friction surfaces, transmission oils TAP-15, TAD-17 or similar in properties, for example, TM series oils according to GOST 17479.2–85, are poured into the gearbox. If the walk-behind tractor is used in the cold season, it is necessary to use winter or all-season gear oils.

Now let’s talk about the general principles and rules for changing the oil for the walk-behind tractor and checking its level.

For the first time, the need to change the oil for a walk-behind tractor arises after five hours of operation. This rule cannot be neglected, since after assembling the unit, various debris, dust, small foreign bodies inevitably remain in its motor, which, getting into the oil, can contribute to the engine jamming immediately after the start of its operation. This, unambiguously, will lead to engine malfunctions, which can be avoided, guided by the following rule: we change the oil several times after five hours of operation of the walk-behind tractor, and then several times. after 10 hours of work. So you will be able to prevent damage to the motor, and clean it from various contaminants.

After this, so-called, running-in of the walk-behind tractor, the oil should be changed, as indicated in the instructions for the unit. As a rule, this is done 25-50 hours after the device starts operating. Well, if you do not have instructions or it does not indicate how to proceed, then you can independently determine this moment without any problems. Pay attention to the color of the oil. If the oil is black, change it urgently and try not to bring it to such a state anymore. Consider also the operating conditions of the walk-behind tractor.

In order for the oil change in the walk-behind tractor to occur most correctly and efficiently, the engine must be warmed up. Do not forget to prepare a container where you will pour out the used oil. Now let’s see how to perform this procedure.

a single-axle tractor with a warmed-up engine should be tilted slightly and a container should be placed on it. Next, you need to unscrew the drain plug from the motor and drain all the oil into a container prepared for this. After that, you need to tighten the plug and pour new oil into the engine. It happens that the motor is not equipped with a drain plug. In this case, the oil must be drained through the filler hole.

Remember that regular oil change for the walk-behind tractor will significantly extend its service life. Therefore, do not forget to check the oil, especially if your assistant works intensively and often. Regardless of whether a single-axle tractor has worked out 25-35 hours in one working season, the oil must be changed at least once a year. It is better to spin off unused, barely filled oil than to be greedy, and try to work on old oil after six months of machine downtime. The oil tends to oxidize, which entails an inevitable deterioration in its qualities. This means that it will cope with its functions much worse.

There is nothing difficult in the process of changing the oil on a single-axle tractor. There are several points that you should definitely focus on.

a single-axle tractor must be tilted. The measuring, drain and filler holes are always located on the left side of the motor. The old oil is drained through the drain hole closed with a plug.

The volume of the container for the drained liquid must be at least 2 liters. Please note: how much oil you have drained, so much should be added. Well, the best is oil for a walk-behind tractor with a viscosity index of 10W40: synthetic or mineral. This oil is advised by the manufacturers of agricultural machinery.

No one can give you exact instructions: when you need to change the oil in the walk-behind tractor. After all, you can use the unit intensively or operate it from time to time. Therefore, only you will have to follow this issue. In addition, if you use a single-axle tractor in winter, pay attention to winter engine oils. Let them have a considerable cost, but they will be able to protect your unit from breakdowns.

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in the process of changing the oil for the walk-behind tractor. You just have to remember that you need to monitor the condition and level of the oil; change the oil at least once a year and use good quality factory fluid. We hope that our article has become useful to you, and you figured out how to change the oil for the walk-behind tractor. Read also our other articles about agricultural machinery and other topics.

How to choose gear oil for a walk-behind tractor

The proper functioning of the machine will depend on the correct and timely lubrication of the gear, chain or worm unit. Transmission oil products used for any type of gearbox meet a number of requirements, one of which is density. The lubricant should not be too viscous, but it must cover all parts with a film.

Reference. In order to choose an oil for a gearbox of any type and get acquainted with the recommendations on the replacement frequency, you need to refer to the instructions from the manufacturers of agricultural machinery.

For each brand of cultivator, a certain type of lubricant is suitable. For example, for MTZ-05, the following types are used: M-8B1, M-8V1, M-8G1, for Belarus 08N-09N, M-10V2 or M-10G2 are used in summer, and M-8G2 in winter. The fluid change period will also depend on the brand of special equipment. For Neva it is every 100 hours of operation, for Belorus. 250. On average, during storage of the unit, it will be necessary to change the lubricant every 12-24 months.

How to change the oil in the gearbox yourself

Replacing the working fluid is similar to the same process with the motor.

All actions are simple and effortless:

• provide a flat surface for the unit;
• unscrew the top filler cap;
• place a suitable container under the drain hole and slowly unscrew the lid;
• the working fluid will drain itself, wait about 10 minutes;
• screw on the drain cap and open the filler plug by inserting a watering can into it;
• pour about 2 liters of working fluid;
• check the level with a dipstick, it must be higher than 30 cm.

Reference. With intensive use, replacement will be required after 50 hours of operation of agricultural machinery.

Changing the engine oil

Before applying a new lubricant, you need to find out which oil was previously filled in a single-axle tractor.

Important! Mixing oils will quickly damage the engine of an agricultural machine.

The oil composition, ideally, should be of the same grade and from the same manufacturer that has already been poured into the internal combustion engine. As studies of the Central Research Institute have shown, even mixing the same type of lubricant does not work without a partial loss of its properties. The first time you need to replace the lubricant after a complete break-in of new equipment.

Here is a short instruction on how to fill oil into a uniaxial tractor:

• first, it is required to warm up the motor;
• the old composition is drained, a suitable container is used for this;
• upon completion, wipe the elements of the cultivator with a dry and clean cloth;
• fill in the lubricant to the required level, usually this is almost a full container;
• check with a dipstick or wire how much oil is poured;
• clean the filler hole with a cloth and close it.

If there is no bottom drain, then the lubricant must be removed through the filler hole. Replacement of liquid material will be required after downtime, repair with replacement of spare parts and with increased load on the engine.

Reference. After the procedure, it is advisable to check the spark plugs for wear.

The amount of oil for the motor

The user’s manual for the use of a specific model of equipment must indicate how much oil is needed in a single-axle tractor for its efficient operation. If there is no annotation, then there are some general rules. Before replacing, warm up the unit and install it horizontally. If there is residual fluid in the engine crankcase, they must be drained by unscrewing the drain plug. Then it is twisted back, and the new component is poured through the neck. You can control the liquid level with a dipstick, it should be between the Min and Max marks. For an agricultural machine, depending on the volume of its engine, you need from 0.6 to 1.1 liters of a lubricant component.

How to check the oil level in the walk-behind tractor

To independently check how much oil is in the walk-behind tractor, namely in the internal combustion engine, you must perform the following steps:

• install the equipment on a flat horizontal surface;
• unscrew the plug in the engine crankcase;
• insert a special probe with markings into the hole;
• pull out the dipstick and see at what mark the oil stain is;
• if the mark is below the minimum, you need to add oil.

In the case when there are no marks on the probe, you can focus on the length of the device itself. The oil stain must reach the middle of the check element. If there is no dipstick, then the working fluid must be poured to the level until it becomes visible from the neck. In order to check how much transmission oil is in the gearbox of the walk-behind tractor, you need to do the following:

• place the unit on a flat surface;
• use a metal rod about 1 meter long;
• insert the resulting dipstick into the filler hole to the end;
• see the level of fat marks on the wire.

If the dipstick is stained more than 30 cm, it means that the working fluid can not be topped up.

Reference. The frequency of replacing the transmission fluid component after a single fill will depend on the intensity of use of the equipment. This action will be required much less frequently than replacing the lubricant in the engine.

The transmission of the motor cultivator models includes a gearbox, which is also a gearbox. To replace the oil composition, regardless of the number of speeds, special transmission oil products are used. As in the case of the gearbox, the lubricant level is monitored with a special dipstick with markings or a wire.