Hi All.
I am new here, and posted another question in a different section about my trusty Craftsman DYT 4000 riding mower. I'm entering year 12 with this Craftsman / Kohler 19hp DYT 4000 riding mower, and I am thinking about replacement options for when this one dies finally. I wanted to have some idea what to look for in a non-disposable replacement. It seems that the consensus from folks on this forum believe most new stuff that I will see at Home Depot et al is junk.
I perform regular maintenance on my mower, I keep the mower clean, and I have 2 sets of blades so I always have a set that has been sharpened to swap in. It has rewarded me by having been perfectly reliable the entire 11 seasons (although it does blow grey smoke when I engage the blades these days). My lawn is about 1/2 acre of flat grass (and other plants, unfortunately), and I cut it once a week, at the highest setting and I bag the clippings since this mower has never been good at mulching. I store everything indoors, and do not let the mower get wet, and do not cut wet grass.
I am thinking about pulling the DYT 4000 apart for some maintenance before the spring arrives here in NJ in about 5 weeks, and I was thinking about the transaxle (which I have never serviced before). My mower has a Peerless 206-545C and I see no way to drain the oil out of the bottom. The trans has never given me any problems, but should I be thinking about changing the fluid or am I asking for trouble (if it aint broke don't fix it)?
I see that there is a rubber fill plug on top of the trans, but no drain plug. I could try to suck the oil out using a pump and replace with new 80W90. Is this worth my time?
Also- a mechanic friend of mine suggested that I ALWAYS use ethanol free fuel, a good fuel stabilizer, and Lucas upper cylinder lubricant with every tank (none of which have I done before). He also advised that I drain the oil and replace it with a high quality oil - something with zinc- or a full synthetic to keep heat down. Is any of this common practice amongst those who love and care for their mowers?
Thanks!!
Anthony
NJ
I am new here, and posted another question in a different section about my trusty Craftsman DYT 4000 riding mower. I'm entering year 12 with this Craftsman / Kohler 19hp DYT 4000 riding mower, and I am thinking about replacement options for when this one dies finally. I wanted to have some idea what to look for in a non-disposable replacement. It seems that the consensus from folks on this forum believe most new stuff that I will see at Home Depot et al is junk.
I perform regular maintenance on my mower, I keep the mower clean, and I have 2 sets of blades so I always have a set that has been sharpened to swap in. It has rewarded me by having been perfectly reliable the entire 11 seasons (although it does blow grey smoke when I engage the blades these days). My lawn is about 1/2 acre of flat grass (and other plants, unfortunately), and I cut it once a week, at the highest setting and I bag the clippings since this mower has never been good at mulching. I store everything indoors, and do not let the mower get wet, and do not cut wet grass.
I am thinking about pulling the DYT 4000 apart for some maintenance before the spring arrives here in NJ in about 5 weeks, and I was thinking about the transaxle (which I have never serviced before). My mower has a Peerless 206-545C and I see no way to drain the oil out of the bottom. The trans has never given me any problems, but should I be thinking about changing the fluid or am I asking for trouble (if it aint broke don't fix it)?
I see that there is a rubber fill plug on top of the trans, but no drain plug. I could try to suck the oil out using a pump and replace with new 80W90. Is this worth my time?
Also- a mechanic friend of mine suggested that I ALWAYS use ethanol free fuel, a good fuel stabilizer, and Lucas upper cylinder lubricant with every tank (none of which have I done before). He also advised that I drain the oil and replace it with a high quality oil - something with zinc- or a full synthetic to keep heat down. Is any of this common practice amongst those who love and care for their mowers?
Thanks!!
Anthony
NJ