I have a small side biz to repair mainly push mowers. I generally don't like to tip the mower to drain the oil since it makes a mess. Has anyone had luck with some sort of extraction pump to suck the oil out? Thanks!
Once you learn how to quickly tip most mowers don’t make a mess. Go to your local Goodwill store or a thrift shop and get a 12 X 12 X 2 cake pan to catch the oil. Sometimes under those units with a short fill tube, I lay a piece of cardboard under the pan to catch any mess. I do have an electric vacuum pump, but the oil most be hot and it doesn’t save any time. An added advantage to tipping is that while the oil is draining I can remove the blade, sharen it, clean deck and reinstall.
#3
cpurvis
I like the extraction pump method if the drain plug, if it even has one, isn't conveniently located. Best if the oil is warm and you can tip the mower ever so slightly in the direction that makes the oil drain toward the place where the suction hose is. There is no mess made this way. I think the make and model of mine is a Pela 6000.
I am using my Tecumseh oil extraction system I purchases years ago. Electric vacuum pump and 3 gallon recovery tank. Use it on most engine except Kohler because of the lip at the bottom preventing tube from reaching bottom on the Command engines. Works well for the Briggs engines on riders that don't have a drain extension preventing oil from running onto the frame and underneath.
#5
Hammermechanicman
I have the Pela PL6000 and the Harbor Freight oil extractor. The hand pump Pela is OK for push mowers if it is all you have. Better than turning mower upside down. If you have enough compressor the HF extractor is really good. I haven't opened a drain plug in years.
I have the Pela PL6000 and the Harbor Freight oil extractor. The hand pump Pela is OK for push mowers if it is all you have. Better than turning mower upside down. If you have enough compressor the HF extractor is really good. I haven't opened a drain plug in years.
The Pela 6000 will do every mower and vehicle I have except two (Dodge Cummins and Ford Ranger V6) and it would do the Cummins if I chose to fill it twice. It leaves about a quart in the Ranger due to dipstick placement but that isn't the Pela's fault; Ford had a better idea.
#8
Hammermechanicman
The 6000 will do all of mine but i am lazy. No pumping with the HF extractor. Just hook the air hose to it and let it do its thing. Plus i only have to dump it after it has a few gollons in it. Not every time i use it
I use a 6 liter hand pump and would not be without it ( them I have 3 )
Got one with the business and when the Stens agent went bust, picked up 30 more which I have sold to my motorcycling friends & they love them
I have a small side biz to repair mainly push mowers. I generally don't like to tip the mower to drain the oil since it makes a mess. Has anyone had luck with some sort of extraction pump to suck the oil out? Thanks!
You don't get the metal filings out when you drain them either. it settles to the bottom in the back corners. I have suction drained them and then pulled the drain plug and the difference in the amount of oil you don't get out is minimal...
If you change the oil hot immediately after the engine is shut down you do get most of the grindings out.
I have some blocks so the front left wheel is higher.
However nothing will get them all out but just so long as enough come out for you to see them that is all you need because it means a strip down.
If you have a think about it just about every inboard boat engine is sucked
Almost no car engine has the drain plug at the absolute bottom .
I use a vacuum to suck out the oil, as shown in the attachment. Easy to use and cheap to make. Make sure the hose that goes into the engine is small enough on the OD to reach the bottom of the crank case. The hose going to the vacuum can be larger of course.
I have a cordless, battery operated vacuum so no extension cords are needed if working in the field.
I have a Briggs and Stratton engine this won't work on, though, as I couldn't get a hose to go down far enough. I pulled the dipstick tube and discovered that the opening in the crank case for the dip stick is just barely large enough for the dip stick.
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#14
mikehouse
I run my mowers for a minute to get the oil warm.Then i have small platic bowl and catch the first pouring out then place it onthe ground and leave to do other things.Later,i'll finish by turning the mower to get oil left.No muss,no fuss,no rush.Works fine everytime.
The reason I use the tip over method, as it saves me time. While the oiling is draining I will be sharpening the blade, cleaning the deck, checking belts etc. This time of the year I may be doing a 10 mowers a day, if they are full check overs.
#16
Hammermechanicman
If i am doing annual maint on a push mower i use the extractor to remove the oil. Flip mower on its side remove and sharpen blade. Then i scape the deck and install blade. Flip it upright and change air filter, fuel filter and plug. Lube wheels and linkages, check for loose hardware, add oil and spray it down with wd40 and wipe it down. I don't get 10 a day. That would be nice. I did just have a guy yesterday bring me in a stihl fs38 in parts in a bucket.
Right now we will get an average of 6 units and day, walk behind or tractor drop offs, plus 2-3 times a week we do pickup and delivery. Not all are just check over, which take longer. In two weeks I expect we’ll be 2-3 weeks out. One tractor can reduce the simple ones to nothing for that day. I try to average 5+ a day.
#18
Hammermechanicman
I have all the annual maint units done so now i am averaging about 1 to 2 units a day coming in. Usually carb work.
