Gravely Zero Turn Engine Oil Change

[@accestos]

I expect this mower will last several seasons with decent care. kzbin.infoUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend Also, I ran across the problem with it not starting the 2nd time I used it. There is a safety switch which is pushed in by the chute or mulching piece being attached to the deck. I took the cover off and it wouldn't start. Put it back on, no problem. It takes only a minute with 2 easily accessible wingnuts and no tools. This mower starts up first crank each time and it is a joy to use. It also mows in reverse by putting the key to the reverse area after starting and pushing in the triangular button. It will stay in reverse mode until you turn it off. All in all, for my homeowner needs, I really like this mower-and at 70 bucks a cut here in Miami, it's already more than 1/3 paid for itself in a month.

[@elevatorman427]

I am just a homeowner here with a new cub cadet zero with the same engine dont care how much or little I use my mower if I change the oil its getting a new filter with it. The Gravely you got looks like a good machine. I kind of wish there were more dealers near me such as Gravely or Ariens etc. The reason I went with a cub is because they are really the only dealer nearest me besides a John Deere Dealer and didnt really want a Deere.

[@musicalscooter]

Appreciate the video. Was having a hell of a time getting a filter wrench into that tight space, and your tip to remove the dipstick housing was just what I needed. Super helpful video! Thank you for sharing!

[@jazmink0a]

I was going to pay someone to do this for me, but now, thanks to you, I think I'll do it myself!👩🏽‍🔧

[@thomaswinkelman9291]

Great video. I learned a lot. I might suggest you use a zip tie and keep the drain plug hose pointing up so oil doesn't settled in it. A Kawasaki engineer told me to do that, but I don't know why he thought that was important. Thanks for taking the time to pass on your knowledge to a shade tree weekend warrior.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you. The zip tie is a good idea. Thank you for letting me know about that.

[@CapnMic]

good video and very helpful ... my gravely 52 inch doesnt have a button to reset the hour meter .. and my blades after only 20 hours need to be sharpened .. thought I could go longer on a new mower with only 21 hours .. but minor issue ... the blades seem to be not as good as those on my kubota lawn tractor .. oh well zero turn quite popular now.

[@mcemtpockets1775]

Measuring that oil on that dip stick is tricky. I wanted to see how u measured it. Getting the level between the small lines are nearly impossible. Also should we let it run for a minute or two then check the levels after the oil settles.... again im soo unsure.... Pls show if u can. I ended up paying for the service. No longer posses the skills i once had. But i still want and try to learn. Thanks for sharing...ty sir🙏👍😊

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

I understand all too well. I have old eyes looking through old glasses. 2 quarts max and somewhere above or below the second line from the end. Fresh oil is tough to see but as the oil gets darker it is easier to read.

[@mcemtpockets1775]

@@A_Renaissance_Man thank you muchly sir,👍🙏

[@jimchurchman2628]

Drain engine oil first. Then when removing filter, it won’t drain much onto the deck.

[@anthonygeneral5246]

How much oil will it take to change it

[@jesserodriguez9019]

Great video! Thanks!

[@georgesimpson3113]

Funny - My book says after the first 5 hours... and other guys I know with even your exact engine but on a different mower it also says after the first 5 hours...? I figure oil can't be too clean. Odd how mower brands change the first oil change time.

[@dansullivan2954]

Thx for the video. Helpful for what to expect.

[@YouTubeUserToo]

Thanks David! Nice job on the vid. Very helpful and kind. 👍🏼

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Your Welcome. I appreciate your kind comment.

[@mdboaterguymdboaterguy3617]

On mine, the oil drain hose just pulls out...good video! I also use a ratchet oil filter wrench.

[@robertmurray3510]

Do you remember what size socket you have for your filter to remove it

[@phases782]

i have a zt hd 52 i got at the end of the season in 2021. Mowed a couple times, then through a weak 2022 (too hot grass didnt grow much) and getting ready for this year. I only have like 15 hours on it. Is it okay to drag out multiple years if you havent made it to 25 hours yet? It will take me forever to get to the first 100 for the hydrolic system lol

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Yes, you can go several years without an engine oil change and many years without a hydrologic oil change.

[@phases782]

@@A_Renaissance_Man thanks maybe I can pull off making it thru this season too. I'll chk manual to see if it still days 25 hours for first I thought it said every season but I feel like that's boilerplate or commercial use. As u can see I don't get a lot of hours. Thank you

[@phases782]

@@A_Renaissance_Man I also have a 2010 zt34 who is barely hanging on I could type 3 paragraphs on what that bad boy has been through xD but still use it every mow for the tighter areas! Dropped off back of truck when ramp twisted, blades through deck after years of hitting roots .. sledge hammer back out lol, broke off front wheel one or twice, hauled several dump truck loads of dirt, it's just been thru so much. But has taken it well enough for my upgrade to be another gravely!

[@phases782]

​@@A_Renaissance_Man sir can you do me a solid? If you still have that mower and manual can you let me know what page you see first oil change at 25 hours in the gravely manual? I cannot find at all.. all I see is a chart that says refer to engine manual and the change oil section says same thing. For engine oil (not hydrolic) that is. Engine manual just says every 100 hours for oil 200 for filter. Maybe newer models or manuals nixxed the 1st at 25. Would like to know. Appreciate you and also fyi was gunna say screw it and have them pick up and service but nah imma just do it after seeing your vid. Been doing my ZT 34 for for 13 or 14 years but with this big one was tempted to let them.. but it looks entirely too easy so thank you.

[@juliocs5483]

I used one of those $7 transfer pump devices from Harbor Freight. Was able to get the oil out without issues or mess...would this method work in the long term? Thx

[@YouTubeUserToo]

Interesting idea. You sucked the oil out from the fill tube?

[@M70ACARRY]

@@KZbinUserToo I have vacuumed the oil out of my kawasaki FR651 3 times, so far. It basically gets it all. When I remove the oil filter, less than a tablespoon drips out. I do think it would be best to occasionally remove the drain plug as it "might" get out some particular matter out. Dunno, though, guess it's a comforting thought.

[@josephleclaire6744]

My oil filter is leaking on my gravely. I did a oil change, replaced the oil filter but it still leaks. I bought 2 new filters checked everything. It’s not overtightened. Everything is how it should be but it’s still leaking out the bottom and left side.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The only thing I can think of is that there is a double gasket. Sometimes a gasket will remain on the engine when the old filter is taken off and when the new filter is put on two gasket are present and a leak occurs.

[@mitchvanslyke1221]

My gravely doesn’t have that short piece of Jose installed! Should’ve had that or is that a modification

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The hose shown came with the machine. Perhaps the Gravely dealer forgot to install the item on your machine. I looked up the latest Parts list and found PN 07001829 HOSE, OIL DRAIN $13.65 listed. I recommend you lookup your machine and then call or go to the dealer with that information. Ref; www.gravelypartsdirect.com/parts-lookup

[@M70ACARRY]

My 2016 Gravely didn't have one. I think it was added later. A company called Drainzit makes the drain hoses that fit most small engines. I think the one that fits my FR651 is around $24 on Amazon. They are nice, but my motor has a plastic shutoff valve that has a 1/2" nipple. I just push on a length of plastic primer hose and drain it that way.

[@charlesparks1321]

I have a 2021 gravely ztxl52 with fr691v Kawasaki engine and I want to use the 15w-50 oil as well can you tell me what brand of oil you used and was it full synthetic or not thanks and great video by the way very helpful!

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

First, I do not see a problem with using the same oil for the engine and transmission. May I please point out that 15W-50 is the viscosity listed for the Transmission/Gearbox Oil and not the Engine Motor Oil of which there are many Engine Motor Oil listings in the manual from ; 5W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50, 30, & 40, with 20W-50 listed for High Temperature condition but only for reduced oil consumption. I use 10W-30 which is 14 °F - 92 °F ambient and I could probably go to 20W-50 but, I see no oil consumption. That said, High Ambient Temperature conditions could easily accommodate 15W-50 as the viscosity range for the engine is vast and the 20W-50 is the widest Ambient Temperature range listed for 32 °F - 110 °F. As far as engine oil, I switched to fully synthetic decades ago and I am not loyal to any brand. Even if there was no scientific reason; the brands I have settled on are Amazon and Mobil1. Warren Oil and Exxon Oil respectively. I liked Amsoil but, with private distribution, that brand is a pain in the @$$ to obtain. Just as a final note, synthetic oil is still dinosaur juice, it is just processed further than non synthetic.

[@charlesparks1321]

@@A_Renaissance_Man thanks a lot🤙🏿

[@Sethhaun78]

Agreed and use kawasaki..its a kawasaki i see all thess guys useing other filters and oil .it makes no sense not to use kawasaki 10,40 or 30.i run that in gravley annd bobcat

[@alexbaughman622]

Interesting. Same engine here and the manual recommends changing oil every 100 hours.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The Kawasaki manual states every 100 hours. The Gravely manual says initial 1st change at 25, then every 100 hours.

[@alexbaughman622]

@A_Renaissance_Man Dang. I thought Gravely was completely deferring to Kawasaki on all matters motor.

[@lappinrappin]

I was able to change mine without taking that backplate off. Also, I was curious if you drained the full 2 quarts out? I can only ever get 1.5 quarts or so out. I've tried tipping it and leaving it level, yet when I go to refill it, I end up only fitting 1.5 quarts back in. Also- while the oil is draining, sharpen the blades and vacuum out the air filter/reservoir to kill the time :D Great video!

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

I did not measure the drain or the fill. I drained and then filled to the mark. Sorry.

[@Sethhaun78]

Thank u no one anywhere says how much oil theres no capacity chart anywhere..or on videos ots REDICULOUS..i guessed at 1.5 as well .y other bocat takes that.but it never holds 2 ..it makes no sense..bobcat or gravley my other mustang is mtd home owner and it takes full amount but its a Kohler..my 2 comercial 48 mowrds bobcat and gravley dont???

[@fezelene]

hey I have same mower and it shuts off when blades engage can u please help

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Many items are tied into that function. Fuses, Seat safety switch, PTO, and parking brake. My first move would be to check the fuses then second would be to check for a faulty Seat Safety Switch.

[@mitchvanslyke1221]

My gravely doesn’t have that hose extension is that a modification!

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Well, this is a model that is 3 or 4 years old now. That hose is original equiptment and I would have made it longer if I installed it. Perhaps, they decided that leaving the hose off was a cost cutting technique or ask your dealer if they accidently left it off during assembly, but that is not likely. I hope you enjoy your machine as much as I enjoy mine.

[@jmwyro1]

I have a ZT-XL with a drain plug and thats it. Anyone know where I can get this hose extension?

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

The problem is knowing the thread size. You can look up the part on Gravely's web site or you can measure the plug threads and make something yourself as I wanted about an inch or two more in length to get the drain path completely off of the frame.

[@ericminniear8130]

You didn’t have to loosen that bolt to take the hose off

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

No. I don't remember doing that

[@michaelenglish2609]

On the Manual it’s say pour the oil slowly into the dipstick ?

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

You are correct. The instructions are very confusing. My Kawasaki book states that the oil is added to the oil gauge. Also, the book states to check the level without twisting the gauge into position. Very strange to me too.

[@michaelenglish2609]

@@A_Renaissance_Man it is really confusing like last time I did oil change it was over full mark when I only pour just tiny bit since it some small , now when do what the book say I don’t think the Engine would have any oil . I’m call gravely tomorrow and see what I should do

[@quantumsword296]

Its all metric the wrenches u need for the drain tube are 15 and 18

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

Thank you. I do appreciate your input.

[@Ozzie4Para]

How stupid is that hose length design? Good Lord.... They could have easily made that drain hose a little longer so it would hang down and drain like it's supposed to. My Cub cadet ZT2 is great. The hose is long and they even already have a hole in the metal to where the hose goes through the metal and it drains super easy.

[@Jimbobd421]

Pretty easy to add hose length to it. That way it’s not so short.

[@sherrischneider2794]

Don't use car engine oil in your lawnmower. One engine is air cooled the other is water cooled. Lawnmower engines have a zinc additive in them which is not in car engine oil because of the catalytic converter.

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

According to Kawasaki, API Service Classification: SF, SG,SH,SJ,or SL are all acceptable for the FR691V series engines. See the Kawasaki owners manual page 14.

[@albertogarcia6348]

You people make the videos and don't put what kind of oil or oil filter to use don't make no sense

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

@@albertogarcia6348 you are correct. There are three different engines which the year model alone. Each one has a different requirement. The manual is on line and has the three or four types and weights that yours can use.

[@Ozzie4Para]

Oil filters should always be primed before installing them.

[@DaGarbageDisposal]

for diesel yes. I've worked changin' oil for 16 years and they di not need to be specially if the filter is sideways lol

[@jamesclark4097]

All your talking is very annoying. Just get to the freakin job at hand!!!

[@A_Renaissance_Man]

That sounds great. Thank you. From now on I will just do the work and not say anything because I do not want to be annoying. Too many videos are just talk, talk, talk. Perhaps I should just delete the sound track because I do misspeak a lot and I would not want to convey misinformation. I always appreciate input and your is especially welcome since I am always trying to improve going forward. Perhaps I should delete this video and start over or I could just delete the sound track and and upload that video. Thank you for the input as your comments are always welcome. Be sure to watch all of my videos so I can provide more information before I get to the job at hand.

[@twinklesailhorse]

Your talking didn’t annoy me-please keep doing what you are doing. If someone doesn’t like the narrative, they should stop watching and POLITELY move on to another video, no comment is necessary. Thank you, your video was very helpful.

[@ruraldelinquent2221]

@@A_Renaissance_Man I see what you did there...lol

[@blainegardner6305]

James, you are a douche.

[@mariolozano8195]

Yes it was just cut back a little