I was about to drain and replace the gear box oil prior to storing the mower for the winter following instructions in the Owner's Manual when I noticed the depiction of the gear box in the manual is 180 degrees opposite from that on my mower, i.e. check and drain plugs on the mower are on the left side (not as depicted in the manual) of the gear box and filler plug is on the right (not as depicted in the manual) and are directly above and within <1/2 inch of the belt.
The mower operates perfectly so I assume the gear box is mounted correctly.
The difficulty anticipated in draining the oil is to determine an effective method to prevent any of the draining oil from fouling the belt as the manual indicates oil should be drained on a level surface.
Wrapping the belt with a rag covered by an additional wrap with a plastic trash bag comes to mind but the <1/2 inch gap provides minimal space and no certainty it will work as envisioned.
$50.00-$100.00 for an oil extractor is out of the question for a tool used once per 150 hours of mowing time.
Lifting the mower and propping/standing it on the left (as viewed from above the mower), while possible with assistance, appears the least desireable alternative.
Am I overlooking the obvious? Is there an easier, simpler solution to draining the gear box oil? Do relatively small amounts of gear box oil on the belt render the belt unusable?
The mower operates perfectly so I assume the gear box is mounted correctly.
The difficulty anticipated in draining the oil is to determine an effective method to prevent any of the draining oil from fouling the belt as the manual indicates oil should be drained on a level surface.
Wrapping the belt with a rag covered by an additional wrap with a plastic trash bag comes to mind but the <1/2 inch gap provides minimal space and no certainty it will work as envisioned.
$50.00-$100.00 for an oil extractor is out of the question for a tool used once per 150 hours of mowing time.
Lifting the mower and propping/standing it on the left (as viewed from above the mower), while possible with assistance, appears the least desireable alternative.
Am I overlooking the obvious? Is there an easier, simpler solution to draining the gear box oil? Do relatively small amounts of gear box oil on the belt render the belt unusable?
