Export thread

I have a TroyBilt TB280 ES with a B&S 725EX engine (model 128M05-0012-F1). Just for a sanity check, can anyone confirm that there is *NOT* a drain plug on the bottom of this engine, even though the operator's manual suggests that there is? From under the deck, I've removed the blade and the plastic guard to get full access to the bottom of the engine. There are three bolts that secure the engine to the deck. There are two smaller bolts underneath, but they are way too small for a drain plug hole.

So do I understand that the only way to drain the oil from this engine is through the oil filler tube? If yes, do you tip it on its side or do you use the handy-dandy oil pump for only $31.45? I have a hand pump that I bought for automotive use and I tried it on this mower, but I think the tube is too wide to get to the bottom of the mower's oil reservoir. It feels like I'm hitting something spongey.

(Is this the trend now? This is the first mower I've owned where there does not appear to be a drain plug on the bottom of the engine.)

The trend of no drain plug started over 20 years ago. with some of the mowers not having access to the drain plug due to deck design. And with self propel like the current models you can't access the drain plug without disassembly of the underside like in your case. The oil is drained by tipping the mower on its side and draining out the dipstick tube.

The trend of no drain plug started over 20 years ago. with some of the mowers not having access to the drain plug due to deck design. And with self propel like the current models you can't access the drain plug without disassembly of the underside like in your case. The oil is drained by tipping the mower on its side and draining out the dipstick tube.

Pull you can look to see if you can see where it would be if present. As note some of these engine never were drilled and tap for a drain. Either you tip the engine to drain or use a pneumatic oil extractor. Plus I have had to install engines were the drain wasn't accessible myself.

Thanks for the replies!
My previous mower was from the 90s, so I guess that explains me not noticing the trend!
Is "hydrolocking" a thing? A few youtube videos mentioned this. Nothing in the operator's manual about it.
The operator's manual does say "When you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube, keep the spark plug end of the engine up." Does tipping the mower on its side satisfy this requirement when the spark plug is in the front of the engine?

Modern push mowers are built to be disposable these days. Some engines even come with a label on them that states, no oil change required.

Being a traditional kind of person, I change oil at least once every season regardless. I'm in South Texas, so we have more draught than rain for the grass to grow.

For this "no service" engine, remove the spark plug. remove the fuel cap and cover the fill opening with a plastic bag and then reinstall the fuel cap. That will keep fuel in the tank where you want it. Remove the oil dipstick and flip it on its side and drain all the oil that you can out of the oil fill tube. A simple thick aluminum cooking pan works well.

Then set the mower back on the wheels, pull the start handle a few times in case a little oil got in the cylinder.

Put oil in the engine until it registers on the dip stick, install the spark plug and remove the plastic bag from the fuel fill cap.

Pull it slow a couple of times, then pull it like you would normally do to start it.

There may be a little smoke at first, but that will clear as the engine runs. Stop the engine let it set for a couple of minutes, then recheck the oil level to make sure it has enough.

Adapt your grease gun to suck it out.

Hi SC,

I think you are referring to what is known as a suction gun. I've tried that just for kicks before and it only kind of "half worked". Aside from that it was very messy.

Scamazon has them for 25 bucks delivered to your door. No deck tipping required.

A simple oil drain tool is a large syringe with a piece of tubing on it, not fancy but works.

To get the engine to 'hydrolock' from being tipped on its side/end would take some time UNLESS your rings were pretty well worn out. Hydrolock is the situation where there is liquid in the combustion chamber that prevents the piston from fully traveling to TDC(top dead center) and which may cause physical damage to the connecting rod/piston if the piston is forced to attempt compressing the liquid. It would take a good quantity of oil leaked past the rings into the combustion chamber to prevent the piston getting to TDC. Good quantity being on the order of 1/4 cup of oil, roughly. It could happen, but you'd have to have it sitting for some time to allow the oil to seep past.

One thing to remember is that you want to have the carburetor side 'up' if you tilt your mower to drain the sump. If carburetor side down, you run the risk of flooding the engine with fuel.

tom

This works for me. Cheap, too.

Hi, Simply place a proper container on the floor and remove the dipstick. Tip the mower on its dipstick side, ensuring the container is in the right place to catch the oil. Let the oil fully drain, simply set it back on its four wheels, and refill with roughly 18 ounces of 10W30 synthetic oil. Let it sit for a few seconds to allow the oil to clear out of the dipstick tube, wipe off the dipstick, and check the oil level. Dispose of oil properly. It is very simple. It will not hydro-lock; it is designed to be changed in that manner. easy-peasy

Hi, Simply place a proper container on the floor and remove the dipstick. Tip the mower on its side, ensuring the container is in the right place to catch the oil. Let the oil fully drain, simply set it back on its four wheels, and refill with roughly 18 ounces of 10W30 synthetic oil. Let it sit for a few seconds to allow the oil to clear out of the dipstick tube, and check the oil level. Dispose of oil properly. It is very simple. It will not hydro-lock; it is designed to be changed in that manner. easy-peasy

kbowley said:

Hi, Simply place a proper container on the floor and remove the dipstick. Tip the mower on its side, ensuring the container is in the right place to catch the oil. Let the oil fully drain, simply set it back on its four wheels, and refill with roughly 18 ounces of 10W30 synthetic oil. Let it sit for a few seconds to allow the oil to clear out of the dipstick tube, and check the oil level. Dispose of oil properly. It is very simple. It will not hydro-lock; it is designed to be changed in that manner. easy-peasy

Click to expand...

Yes, easy peasy, if one likes to invert their mower over a drain pan and hope to not fumble it. Those pesky mower handles can into play, messing with the inverting action. Wear gloves,too. Inverting the carb and fuel tank can give rise to other issues. I had B&S easy Drain spouts on my drain ports , but removed them due to possible leakage and 'no oil' situations on my side drain engines The suction method is quick and easy, with no mess. Maybe a little mess if one is a bit inept(like me), but you may have that with turning your mower upside down,
(I'd repeat post this, but you get my point)

Hi, Simply place a proper container on the floor and remove the dipstick. Tip the mower on its side, ensuring the container is in the right place to catch the oil. Let the oil fully drain, simply set it back on its four wheels, and refill with roughly 18 ounces of 10W30 synthetic oil. Let it sit for a few seconds to allow the oil to clear out of the dipstick tube, and check the oil level. Dispose of oil properly. It is very simple. It will not hydro-lock; it is designed to be changed in that manner. easy-peasy

SamB said:

Yes, easy peasy, if one likes to invert their mower over a drain pan and hope to not fumble it. Those pesky mower handles can into play, messing with the inverting action. Wear gloves,too. Inverting the carb and fuel tank can give rise to other issues. I had B&S easy Drain spouts on my drain ports , but removed them due to possible leakage and 'no oil' situations on my side drain engines The suction method is quick and easy, with no mess. Maybe a little mess if one is a bit inept(like me), but you may have that with turning your mower upside down,
(I'd repeat post this, but you get my point)

Click to expand...

Where did I say invert? Simply tip it on its side. I do it several times a day in my shop. It is VERY easy. There is absolutely no need to purchase a topside sucker unless it's a cheap box store unit without a dipstick. I have an OEMTOOLS oil extractor for those and generators, pressure washers, zero-turns, etc. But he has no need for that. I have only been owning/running an outdoor equipment shop for 20 years, but what do I know?