New Lawnmower Time!! Tip on Side to Change OIl??

[MarkF48]

Old mower is getting a little tired, so figured it's time to replace. Local dealer carries Husqvarna mowers and I've had pretty good luck with Husky stuff I've bought. The mower I'm interested in has a Honda engine on it, which should be decent. I downloaded the manual for the mower for a browse through it and looking at the oil change section it says to empty the gas tank and then tip the mower up on it's side to empty out the oil What ever became of drain plugs on the bottom of engines? A similar model Husky with a B&S engine also stated to drain the oil by tipping on its side . It's been a really long time since I bought a mower, but is this typical of what's out there now?
I guess a vacuum oil extractor might be a good idea, rather than tipping and having a potential mess.

 

[smstonypoint]

I have a Honda self-propelled mower that also requires that the mower be tipped over to drain the oil. It's a hassle for that small mower, but it would be a major PITA for a riding mower.

Steve

 

[twoodard04]

Mines the same. Run it out of fuel and tip over. Trouble is the **** thing is so good on fuel it takes forever

 

[MoKelly]

I think most push mowers are the same ... tip on side to drain oil. I have several push mowers and they are all the same.

It's really not a big deal for these small engines.

MoKelly

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

Briggs, Tecumseh & the Chinese vertical shaft engines I've seen all had oil drain plugs underneath.
Honda is only engine I recall without drain plug on bottom.
I agree that often it is easier to tip them on the side to drain oil. Doesn't matter how you do it, just change the oil at least every year...

Pete

 

[RobertBrown]

Briggs recommends the same thing. I'm not at all sure why but I think it's for those who are ill equipped to use a wrench and figure out how to get under a mower.
I can tell you that although Briggs recommends this method, they put a drain plug in the last one I bought. You may want to look under the model you are considering and see if there is indeed a drain plug. I suspect there will be.

 

[sld]

My honda is the same. I don't use it much so once a year I change the oil. It's really pretty easy but you never feel like you get it all out. I've never run it out of fuel to tip it over either. Doesn't seem to matter.

 

[Larry Jones]

My BS mower is on its 15th season with out an oil change. For you guys complaining about having to tip it over instead of draining from the bottom, how do you get a wrench on it with out tipping it?

 

[KennyG]

My BS mower is on its 15th season with out an oil change. For you guys complaining about having to tip it over instead of draining from the bottom, how do you get a wrench on it with out tipping it?

You know this crew. We all have custom made lawnmower lifts to raise them overhead.