Repairs Huge disappointment turns into absolute joy!

[BustedKnuckles]

So, I decided to service the hydro unit in my 1991 Snapper LT14H411HV rider that didn't seem to have a drain plug. I contacted Snapper and they said to use SAE30 oil and proceeded to spoon out as much of the old, black oil as I could that would come to the top as the new oil was poured in. Lots of spooning later, I fired up the mower for a drive and....it wouldn't move.

After about 10 minutes of running it finally moved. I then assumed (I'm an amateur of course) that the 30 weight was too thick and perhaps after running a bit it thinned out enough to flow. More spooning later and 5w30 oil, it took about 20 minutes to move. I could have thrown up at this point because the mower is really nice and came out of an elderly mans estate.

So, on the third try, I discovered that I wasn't re-engaging the drive unit with the "roll" lever. DUH! I guess it was vibrating back in place as I was trying desperately to get it going previously. Ditching the spoon technique, I found a small hose and stuffed it down into the drive unit through the reservoir and siphoned roughly 1/2 a quart out and refilled with SAE30.

It works like a dream now and seems to be quieter with more ground speed and quicker takeoff. So, the next time something isn't quite going right, SLOW DOWN AND THINK. :biggrin:

And yes, it's time to invest in a fluid extractor....

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

So, I decided to service the hydro unit in my 1991 Snapper LT14H411HV rider that didn't seem to have a drain plug. I contacted Snapper and they said to use SAE30 oil and proceeded to spoon out as much of the old, black oil as I could that would come to the top as the new oil was poured in. Lots of spooning later, I fired up the mower for a drive and....it wouldn't move.

After about 10 minutes of running it finally moved. I then assumed (I'm an amateur of course) that the 30 weight was too thick and perhaps after running a bit it thinned out enough to flow. More spooning later and 5w30 oil, it took about 20 minutes to move. I could have thrown up at this point because the mower is really nice and came out of an elderly mans estate.

So, on the third try, I discovered that I wasn't re-engaging the drive unit with the "roll" lever. DUH! I guess it was vibrating back in place as I was trying desperately to get it going previously. Ditching the spoon technique, I found a small hose and stuffed it down into the drive unit through the reservoir and siphoned roughly 1/2 a quart out and refilled with SAE30.

It works like a dream now and seems to be quieter with more ground speed and quicker takeoff. So, the next time something isn't quite going right, SLOW DOWN AND THINK. :biggrin:

And yes, it's time to invest in a fluid extractor....

I'm glad you figured it out! Good job! :smile: