One simple maintenance procedure that is vital in ensuring the best performance of your lawn mower is regularly replacing engine oil. In case you are in need of the answer to how to change oil in lawn mower, this guide covers the whole process in a straightforward, realistic and easy to follow manner. Once the oil is fully drained, it’s important to refill with the correct type.
No matter what brand you have be it a push mower or a Craftsman the procedure is simple as long as you learn the proper steps and precautions.
Table of Contents
Why Draining Lawn Mower Oil Matters
Engine oil is an important part in ensuring that your mower is performing well. It coats engine parts, prevents friction and assists in maintaining heat levels. Nevertheless, oil decomposes over time, getting polluted with dust and bits of grass and metals.
When this occurs, the engine is forced to work more: You might find some rough performance, you might not easily start the mower or even overheating. In extreme cases, used oil may reduce the life of your engine.
Timely oil changes guarantee enhanced performance, smooth functioning and duration of engine life. That is why how to drain oil from a lawn mower is the topic that any mower owner should know how to remove the oil.
Tools and Preparation Before You Start
You have to be prepared before getting down to the oil draining process. You do not require an expensive equipment, but the correct tools make the job easier and cleaner.
You are to prepare an oil drain pan or any other suitable container to receive a used oil. A wrench will also be required in case your mower has drain plug. Wiping down spills with clean cloths or rags comes in handy, and a funnel will come in handy in future, when introducing new oil.
An open, flat area where the mower can be stable is also important to work. This minimises chances of spills and accidents in the process.
Safety Precautions You Should Never Skip
Safety should be of your first consideration before handling any section of the engine. Be sure that the lawn mower is switched off and that the spark plug wire is always removed. This helps avoid it accidentally being left on as you are working on it.
The engine must be slightly warm, but not hot. Hot oil is less viscous, yet a hot engine will burn. Work on a level surface will also allow the oil to drain and does not spill to unwanted parts of the car such as the air filter or carburetor.
How to Change Oil In Lawn Mower (Complete Step-by-Step Process)
Warm the Engine for Better Oil Flow
Turn on the mower and allow it to run a couple of minutes. This process heats the oil, thus rendering it lighter and simplifying the draining process. Warm oil is also able to transport dirt and debris more efficiently and so, it gives a cleaner oil change.
No long, long run is necessary–a little warming up of the engine.
Locate the Oil Drain Point
The second thing to do is to determine the exit point of the oil. Your mower model has two options most likely.
There are lawn mowers that have a special drain plug that is found below the engine. Other engines, particularly smaller ones, lack a plug, and must be drained via the dipstick or fill tube.
It is not good to proceed without first understanding your particular design of mower.
Position the Lawn Mower Correctly
Without a drain plug in your mower, you will have to tilt it and drain the oil out. The proper positioning is very essential to prevent any damage to the engine.
When mowing, always tip the mower such that the filter side is facing upwards. This will not allow the oil to flow in the air filter or carburetor, which may lead to severe performance problems in the future.
Be patient in this step so as to avoid spilling.
Drain the Oil Completely
After putting the mower in the right place, place your oil container there. Before your mower is emptied, make sure you take out the drain plug and not before as pouring.
In case of no drain plug, take time to incline the mower so that the oil flows out of the fill tube. This can take a couple of minutes depending on the amount of oil within the engine.
It is also important to allow all of the old oil to drain out after changing the engine to keep it working well after refilling.
Secure the Drain Plug and Clean Up
Once all the oil is drained out of it, reinsert the drain plug in case your mower has a drain. Ensure that it is tightened but not to the extent of damaging the threads.
Afterwards, clean up any oil spills in the mower body. Cleaning the area will keep your machine in a good condition and will help in avoiding the accumulation of dirt.
How to Drain Oil from a Push Lawn Mower
Push lawn mowers are less complex and, are also lighter. Most of them lack a drain plug hence the common use of the tilt method.
All that you do in this process is to initial warm up the engine and then remove the spark plug to avoid accidents. Then you tip the mower slowly using the air filter screen facing upwards. The fill tube will empty slowly into your container and can be used to fill your container.
After the oil is used up, put the mower back to an upright position and clean up any leftover oil. This is a fast and efficient method to a majority of home users.
How to Drain Oil from a Craftsman Lawn Mower
Lawn mowers or self propelled lawn mower made by Craftsman are typically powered by some form of valid brand, with Briggs and Stratton often being attributable to the engine. Due to this, the draining of the oil can have a slight variation based on the model.
Craftsman has its final mowers with a drain plug underneath the engine, and with others using the dipstick tube method. With a drain plug on it, all you need to do is remove the drain plug and allow the oil to bleed out.
When your model lacks a drain plug you will be required to adopt the tilt method though with the air filter on the upper part of it. Varying models may have different locations of the drains, so always consult your specific model manual in case you are in doubt.
Alternative Methods for Draining Lawn Mower Oil
Besides the conventional methods, there exist two alternative procedures of extraction of oil off your mower.
A handy gadget will be an oil extractor pump, which will enable you to extract oil using the dipstick by simply pushing it through the tube. This technique is less polluted and minimizes spills.
The alternative to this is draining via the fill tube which is prevalent in small push mowers. The two are both efficient in respect to the mower design and preference.
Common Mistakes You Should Avoid
Lots of inexperts commit easy errors when teaching themselves how to drain oil out of a lawn mower. Tilting the mower in a misguided direction is one of the usual instances, which may result in the oil spilling into the air filter or engine parts.
The second error is the disconnection of the spark plug that may result in a potential danger. Other individuals also never empty the old oil, and mingle it with new oil and lower the performance of engine.
Being a patient and doing things step by step will prevent these issues.
What to Do After Draining the Oil
The next stage after the old oil is removed is to fill the engine with fresh oil. That is why you should always refer to your mower manual to find out what type of oil to use, and how much of it.
Once filled fill the oil by using the dipstick to be sure that it is neither too low nor too high. Turn on and run the engine several minutes to check the performance. When all goes well, then everything is done. This is the process most of professional lawn service provider companies do like DNRLandscaping.
How Often Should You Drain Lawn Mower Oil
The rate of oil changes is based on the usage. With new mower, it is advised that the initial oil change typically be done within the initial few hours of operation.
Subsequently, majority of manufacturers recommend that the oil be changed after every 50 hours of operation or at least once within a mowing season. More frequent changes can be needed in case you take advantage of your mower in abundance.
Proper Disposal of Used Oil
Disposing of used engine oil must not be carelessly done. It is destructive to the environment, and has the potential to pollute soil and water supplies.
Rather, place the used oil into a sealed container and either recycle it in a recycling facility or an automotive service centre that takes used oil. Disposal is done appropriately to protect the environment.
Final Thoughts
The most important skills in maintenance that you can have are learning how to Change oil in lawn mower. You can be working with either a push mower or a Craftsman-model; it does not matter; it is easy simply when you do things in the right order.
Frequently replacing your oil ensures improved performance, smoother running, and the machine is more likely to last longer. Your lawn mower can last years with proper maintenance.
FAQs About How to Change Oil In Lawn Mower
How do I drain oil from a lawn mower safely?
In order to drain oil in a lawn mower safely, it is important to always turn the engine off, remove the spark plug wire and allow the engine to cool down a bit. Put the mower on a flat surface and either leave the drain plug or tilt the mower upwards keeping the air filter hole facing the sky. Allow the oil to drain completely in a container then screw everything back.
How to drain oil from a push lawn mower?
Majority of the push mowers lack a drain plug. The typical one is the tilt method. A few minutes of engine warming is followed by removing the spark plug, and tilting the mower so that the air filter side is facing up. The fill tube will cause the oil to spill into a pan. When it is done, start up the mower again.
How to drain oil from a Craftsman lawn mower?
Depending on the model, craftsman lawn mowers can be equipped with a drain plug, or a dipstick tube system. Should there be a drain plug, remove and then leave to drain. Otherwise, like a push mower, use the tilt option. It is important to always consult your model manual.
Can I drain lawn mower oil without a drain plug?
True, most lawn mowers come without a drain plug. What you can do in this case is drain by tilting the mower neatly or empty by means of an oil extractor pump via the dipstick tube. These two techniques are both popular and useful.
How often should I change lawn mower oil?
The majority of the manufacturers suggest changing the operational oil of the lawn mower at least once in 50 hours of work or once in a mowing season. In the case of a new mower the initial oil change ought to be provided after a few hours of operation.