A few follow up questions on the LT1045

[Fresh_Cut]

We bought our 1045 in April, it's been pretty good and we have 23 hours on it so far. A few questions/concerns though:

The oil hasn't been changed yet, is this going to cause serious harm (not that I don't intend to do this soon, but has irrepairable damage already been done?)?

Along those lines, is the oil easy to change on a 1045? I've read where some 1046 guys were drilling holes to make the plug eaiser to access. Any tips?

Anyone have any major vibration experience when running the deck? With the PTO engaged at low idle it really shakes but things don't seem too bad at higher RPMs. I'd read about a double pulley fix but didn't want to spend the money if it's not necessary.

This is one where you 1046 guys can help out /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif With the mulch baffle in place, does anyone notice a gap towards the front of the baffle where it meets the deck that is allowing grass to escape? Our has this issue and we aren't sure how to fix it as we installed the plug properly per the manual . . .

Thanks for any and all help, it's appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DmansPadge]

As for the oil... you need to change it soon. Normally it is best to change it after about 10 hours. When the engine first starts to break in, there will be small metal particals in the oil from break in and initial assembly. I dought 23 hours is going to hurt anything. In all honesty... most "commoners" who buy mowers either never change the oil or at best do it once a year and probably only the guys like us that really care change the break in oil. That said... it is something that should be done... it'll only prolong the life of the engine. Make sure you change the filter as well.

As far as the vibration problem.... they are not designed to run the deck at anything other than full throttle. I doesn't suprise me at all that there are vibrations at lower RPMs. When the deck in engaged... run that baby wide open! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ccbob]

We have had our 1046 for several months, and I changed the oil and filter at five hours. I agree with the other reply as there is more wear in the first say 5 - 10 hours of operation than in the next 100. I don't know why some are having trouble with the oil drain. The supplied vinyl drain hose works very well as long as you are careful with its installation, and the drain valve rotation. I certainly would never drill a hole in the frame. I haven't felt any real vibration at lower rpm's on our machine, we usually engage the pto at lower rpm's to reduce the shock to the belt, clutch, etc. Then go to full rpm's for mowing. I will admit that the belt does go thru some resonance areas and probably could use a well placed idler to stop the mild belt wiggle. And lastly, the mulching plug did not fit as tight as I would like, but if you center it the best as possible, it should not allow grass to escape. Ours does not. Enjoy the 1046! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... I don't know why some are having trouble with the oil drain. The supplied vinyl drain hose works very well as long as you are careful with its installation, and the drain valve rotation.... )</font>

Hehehee... Try it on a new 2042 or 2500 series, THEN post back. Good times I tell ya... good times. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

G/luck
Joel

 

[tonybada]

I have 3 hrs on my 2042 and after all the horror stories I may do what you said Joel and get a pump and pump it out the fill opening.

 

[Fresh_Cut]

Thanks for the responses. Anyone have any thoughts on the mulch plug? That's the one that has me puzzled. Irregardless of the amount or height of grass it always throws some out in a thin strip to the right of the mower. The gap isn't quite as big as my hand but no matter how I manipulate things, I can't get things to be any better. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[05tundra]

I bought the LT1046 two weeks ago and love this thing. I engage the PTO at full throttle and have no vibration at all. I haven't looked at the mulch plug but as far as I know, there is no gap and grass doesn't escape.

 

[AL_Josh]

I have a 1046. I have only had a problem with the mulch plug after i ran 1" diameter stick over. It poped the plug out and grass did escape. But I reinstalled it and it works fine now.

I engage the PTO at about 3/4 and have had no problems with vibrations.

The mower has 26 hours on it.