2018 Gravely ZT HD 48 - Oil Change & Details

A few people who watched my previous walk around video asked about how easy it was to get to the engine components and change the oil. So, I made a quick video demonstrating the process. The entire back panel comes off with just two wingnuts.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or would like to see other types of videos.
Thanks for watching!

[@Shantzonpoint]

Had my ZT-HD for over 2 years now. Absolutely love the mower. Kawasaki engine is definitely the way to go over the Kohler in my opinion. Even after sitting all winter, it fires after rolling over two times. Runs great.

[@SteveJones-dr9lz]

I have the 2018 Gravely ZT HD 52 with a Kohler KT740 (25HP) engine. I recently completed my first oil change, and like you, I was surprised at how slow the oil drained. In the future I know to start draining the oil FIRST then focus on the air filter, fuel filter, etc.Thanks for sharing your experience with Gravely. You're right, Gravely makes a awesome lawn mover! My Gravely replaced a John Deere.

[@TDMILESKI]

Thanks for the comment! Also, I didn't mention it in the video, but I did run the mower before this so the oil was warm as well.

[@michaelmiller6843]

Nice video. I think you are the only one so far with a video showing how to change the oil in this machine. Looking forward to the next one.

[@TDMILESKI]

Michael Miller Thanks! Let me know if you have any questions I can answer or would like to see a video of anything specific.

[@michaelmiller6843]

TD MILESKI Would love to see how it mows but looks like you already have that planned. Will look forward to checking it out. I am saving up and plan to get one next spring.

[@TDMILESKI]

Michael Miller - Absolutely! That will be my next video.

[@bulldog3494]

I have the same mower and it does a great job.

[@Jay_Hall]

Nice job TD, thank you! :)

[@CS-vw3db]

Love how all these mowers put on hoses for draining, yet the oil filter just blows oil all over the place anyway.

[@mjones53]

I've got a '19 Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52, just got it so only a couple hours on it. Looks to have the same motor but, a different drain hose. That one looks much better to use think it will fit my Ariens? Thanks for the video

[@LaserLuther]

I have a ZT HD52 with a Kawasaki. It is right at 100 hrs. It has been perfectly reliable cutting 50+ yards a week. Can't recommend this mower enough.

[@Vabasseroutdoors1]

Nice mower, new subscriber 👍

[@TDMILESKI]

Thanks!

[@ms.london3168]

Looks pretty easy

[@antdawg153]

I wish makers would mount the gd oil filters vertical!

[@terrysmith7454]

HOW MANY QUARTS DOES IT TAKE .

[@grizzly.graphite317]

You love this thing more than your wife.. lol

[@jillsmith5607]

How do u like the mower so far?I'm thinking of buying thw same mower

[@TDMILESKI]

Jill Smith - I absolutely love it! Everything about it is extremely high quality and well built. Nothing is done or built cheaply on this model. However, I did start to get a bit of the infamous Gravley deck rattle when the PTO/blades are engaged, which I am almost positive is coming from the anti-scalp wheels. I have a video recorded I need to upload showing this. I'm going to try some washers to take up the extra space as they wear. They come with a spring type washer to keep tension on the wheels, but those spring type washers appear to have flattened out already, allowing some side to side movement of the anti-scalp wheels, causing the noise.

[@okiebbq2536]

Ive been looking at a new mower to buy. I keep going around but keep coming back to the gravely or scag. I want a good one that will last.

[@TDMILESKI]

Scag are super nice mowers also

[@okiebbq2536]

@@TDMILESKI I ended up getting i bobcat mower. Got a good deal on last years one. 30 something hp with oil cooler. Lots of mower and mows fast.

[@Vabasseroutdoors1]

Do you have a video on the Hydraulic oil change?

[@TDMILESKI]

I do not and I just changed it about 10 hours ago so I won't be changing it again for a while. It's pretty easy other than trying to get to the vent bolt on top of the housing. It's a little easier if you take the wheels off. Other than that, it's roughly two quarts per side, buy and extra quart just in case, so 5 total.

[@Vabasseroutdoors1]

Thank you 👍

[@joedurso5192]

does the drain tube slide thru the recessed hole for the oil filter run off...??? I agree that is for the run off when removing the filter but if the oil drain tube fits through that hole, that is probably how you are supposed to drain it by sticking the tube through there ...that's why it took so long to drain it seems to me, as there is hardly, at least in the video, any downward angle the way you did it...how the heck you keep that sucker so clean...even after 10 hours it looks spotless

[@TDMILESKI]

No, the drain hose does not fit through the hole. You can't tell in the video, but I jacked up the left side of the mower and put it on blocks to get it to lean towards the right, doesn't make a difference, it still drains slow as hell. As far as keeping it clean, I blow it off with compressed air after every use and hand wash it with soap and water and a wash mit a couple times per season.

[@michaelmiller6843]

Did your owners manual say to change the oil in the first 5 hours? I am the proud new owner of a ZTHD but see nothing about changing the oil in the first 5 hours of operation.

[@TDMILESKI]

I'd have to check again, but I think it says 25 hours for first oil change and every 75? after that. I changed it at 10 hours though and I'll change it every 25 probably. I only put 25 hours total on it last season, but I didn't have it quite a full season. So it'll likely only get changed twice a season. Once in the spring before first cut, then again mid season.

[@michaelmiller6843]

TD MILESKI Thanks. Mine says 25 hours also but I see a lot of people say they are doing their “5 hour oil change” and assumed that was recommended by the manufacture but saw no mention of it in the owners manual. The machine is a beast! I can’t wait to use it for the first time in a few weeks. I will probably put 25 hours a year on it like you. Thanks again for your reviews. They were really helpful.

[@TDMILESKI]

@@michaelmiller6843 Most people do change oil on any new engine after about 5 hours. I did for my quads and bikes when I bought them new.

[@michaelmiller6843]

TD MILESKI Got it. Thanks!

[@TDMILESKI]

No problem!

[@nofd1236]

I have the 2018 Gravely ZTHD 60 and i am about to do my initial 10 hour break in oil change. I was wondering why you chose to void your factory warranty on the Kawasaki engine by using the AMS oil and JD filter?

[@TDMILESKI]

Hi Alan, thanks for commenting. Using any oil that meets or exceeds the manufacturers specifications in the Kawasaki engine owners manual is approved and does not void the warranty. Same goes for the oil filter. Amsoil exceeds all recommended oil specs provided in the manual which I did read both the Gravley and Kawasaki manuals both, front to back. Kawasaki does not refine oil nor do they produce their own engine oil filters, they simply contract that out to other manufacturers and have their name printed on those products, which is why my dealer cross references the filters with these JD branded ones and several other brands were the same as well. They are the same filter internally, different name printed outside.

[@dstrait22003]

it's not like he put an 8" lift on this or anything

[@mtrotts5578]

How much was ur mower?

[@TDMILESKI]

Hi, I think this model retails around $5700, however you can find them on sale for under 5K typically. I paid under 5K out the door with taxes.

[@mr.anonymous8783]

Should have ran it for a few minutes to heat the oil up an it would have drained faster .

[@TDMILESKI]

I did run it before hand, didn't mention it in the video, but it was hot. Changed it 5x now and it's the same every time. I think its the hose. That little indented area with the hole in it is for the oil to drain out of the drain bolt hole normally as the engine comes from Kawasaki. Gravely adds that hose at their plant to try and make the process less messy, but it just restricts flow.

[@ronanderson1816]

try slightly elevating the opposite side of the oil drain.

[@TDMILESKI]

Hey Ron, I believe I did have it elevated on a couple 2x4's on the opposite side. And in subsequent oil changes have had it elevated and it still takes forever to drain.

[@ronanderson1816]

@@TDMILESKI ok thank you! , I must have missed it, Thank you for the response. Have you tried the reverse funnel trick over the oil fill, with low pressure air hose? I also can suggest a inexpensive evacuator trick, only a few dollars, if you have a Shop Vac.

[@NewtonWashinton]

should only drain oil when motor is warm.

[@TDMILESKI]

It was warm, I ran it for a while before this video. Actually burned my hand when I was trying to get the oil filter off, lol.

[@NewtonWashinton]

ok, thanks for the reply.

[@Loris8768]

10w30 o 10w40???

[@TDMILESKI]

10w40

[@Sethhaun78]

Theres absolutely no wherr that tells specs on HOW MUCH OIL????Not on there website no where ..how much oil .thats all i need every video no one says how much oil.have 3 zeeo turns all take different amounts ..i cannot believe they do not have a spec on the oil capacity?