Recent content by Skippydiesel

Its realy great when the piece & relative quite, of the countryside is shattered by the noise of motorcycles - why would I consider other equipment to be any less intrusive. Even tractors are much quieter (in & out) than when I started in agriculture 50 years ago Most modern engines are...

Vanity??? Where on earth did you get that stupid statement from??? Reliability?? - exhaust noise is totally unrelated to the service life of the engine (assuming the nose is not indicative of a problem) - another "left of field comment". Engine/exhaust noise is, for the most part wasted...

I didn't know that there are muffler choice options when it comes to mowers ? - please elaborate. May be you are referring to aftermarket options? What's are available ?- again please elaborate :devilish:

"There are no leaks and the machine functions perfectly. " If there is air in the hydraulic oil, it would not perform as the OP stated - got to be something else. :devilish:

"... started noticing oil venting from the tank cap at a pretty good rate" . I ASSUME (??) that this is the transmission hydraulic oil ???? If so the oil is getting hot & expanding. The extra volume of oil is venting, as it must do. The only ways I can think that this could occur is: Wrong...

From Google; "...... the Vanguard Big Block (810cc to 993cc) is widely considered the quietest and smoothest running engine in its class. [1, 2] The Evidence: Decibel testing reveals a noticeable difference. For instance, in head-to-head real-world tracking, a Vanguard 40 hp EFI engine...

Yes I always use ear protection - Crazy if you don't unless reread profoundly deaf. Still, given the option, I would like to start with quieter mower. :devilish:

When considering, zero turn mowers, with the larger petrol engines, 27 hp and up, which tend to be quieter; Kawasaki ? Kohler ? Honda ? Briggs & Stratton (Vanguard) ? :devilish:

I have ordered the new oil filter so should be replacing the oil early next week - How much effort should I put into removing the old oil ie is it necessary/desirable to try & drain the pumps & motors?? OR Is the amount of old oil (unknown type) remaining such a small percentage, that it will...

Thanks Auto Doc/ StarTech, My origination choice (before confusion set in) was a Full Synthetic + Zinc 15W/50 however the Full Synthetic + Zinc 15W/60 (same oil company) is "On Special Sale" for a lot cheaper. Other than cost saving, I also thought that the higher viscosity may be beneficial...

Hi Auto Doc, Dont know if its the Video or something else but it was almost unwatchable due to advertising breaks. That aside - Zinc would certainly seem to have significant wear reduction characteristics. Remembering that this is an old machine with unknown oil in the hydraulic system (some...

Managed to get into "Bob the Oil Guy" website. If anything it posses more questions than answers. :devilish:

Hi Auto Doc, Thanks for the above however you haven't actually commented on straight 20W/50 motor oil V a synthetic 15W/50 with Zinc. I tried to register on the "Bob the Oil Guy" website - ran into problems, so at the moment unable to discuss the options with Bobs members. Also having...

Totally confused; My local Hustler dealer says I should not use an oil with Zinc additive but recommends a synthetic in the hydraulic transmission. (Both of the oils, mentioned above, have Zinc) The various oil manufactures technical advisors say that this older Hydro Gear system and I...

I have no less than three Mr Funnels - small, medium & large. The first two use a single filter, the last, two filters. Reason for so many is that the small is used on my mowers/stationary engines and the medium /large on my home built aircraft. The small accommodates low fuel flow for small...