Oil change mess, suggestions?

[Auto Doc's]

Hello M.,

That a cool idea if you can keep the Ziplock bag close enough when the filter seal is broken loose.

I also like the old "cut to fit" oil bottle trick, it works great for conventional riders with easy filter access.

My Cub Cadet Z-Force 48 rider has barely enough space to access the oil filter to get it loose, much less try to avoid the spillage once the filter starts breaking loose. For that one I just leave the oil drain hose open for 30 minutes or so and then spread a few paper towels under the filter area before removing it. The filter usually empties out pretty well if given the time.

Most of the customer zero turn riders I see were not designed for easy servicing.

 

[Oddjob]

I was going to suggest just fold a sheet of aluminum foil a few times so it doesn't tear so easily, and form it so it drains through that little hole. That's what I do.

But now I'm going to buy one of these and try it! Looks pretty handy for a few situations.

On my truck I use a 1/2 cut 2 liter soda bottle to unscrew it - but it faces vertical, and just dumps all over the suspension arms.

Re trucks: Kudos to Ford for building in a funnel underneath the oil filter on my Ranger. Position the catch pan under it and let the filter drop into the funnel and drain out. I’ve been thanking the guy who thought of that for 26 years now.

 

[GrumpyCat]

Oftentimes the oil filter has much less oil if removed cold.

 

[Freddie21]

Late this summer I bought a new 48" Toro Titan with the Kohler engine. Planning on doing the end of season service and will be running into the same problem as my previous (bought used) zero turn mowers. Unscrew the oil filter and oil goes all over the place on the engine deck. That leaves an oily mess no matter how hard you try to clean it up as the oil goes to inaccessible areas. The other mowers already had this oily mess under the engine, I would like to prevent this with my new (and clean) mower.

Other than stuffing a bunch of rags or paper towels under the filter while unscrewing it, and that isn't a guarantee oil won't go all over, any other suggestions to minimize the mess? Thought about jacking up that side of the mower to try and partially drain the filter, would that work?

I use a dog training pad, it absorbs all the oil. I fold it up under the filter and spread it out in front. It catches the oil as it drins out. No mess. You can also use a bed pad as they are the same. Here is something I have also used. Just form it around the filter and shape into a funnel into a catch bottle.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Fle...sprefix=oil+filter+drain+guard,aps,190&sr=8-1

 

[bd323]

On my John Deere Z turn I use a thick disposable oil absorbent pad and have also line with news paper. Also learning about the mess my first time I have the new filter ready to quickly swap. As for the mess mine is over the drive belts between both transmissions.

 

[Peva]

My Ryobi ZT doesn't have an oil filter. I'm trying to figure out a way to add one 'cause I miss changing oil so much.