Just got me a 2186
 

hi all,
first timer here. I just got my first rider mower a 2nd hand 2186 with 300 hours, it came with a plow and grass catcher, general its in good nick, just needs some love. i am changing all fluids, filters and plugs and blades, cleaned it top to bottom and pulled the deck and greased it,
I have run into a couple of issues, first i was not used to the oil drain plug and when pulling the hose off the plug after draining oil i pulled the plastic drain off, I saw a some o rings, said shit and stuck it back on, next morning 2 quarts of oil on floor, when to the dealer and he told me all about it, said it was due to wear and replace the whole thing, also told me it was going to be tough fit,
i need to raise the engine to get a wrench onto it,
im used to working on motorcycles but mowers are new to me, How do i shim the engine up and is there a better way,
I also have to go out and but new wrenches and most of mine are metric. and special sets i will need working the mower. eg blades nut is rusted on, going to use toque wrench on it tomorrow after a soak.
thanks and see ya
andy

Andy

Welcome to OCC.

No big deal to change the crappy drain valve. Loosen the 4 bolts that hold the engine down. If memory serves me a 9/16" open end and a 9/16" socket with an extension and a ratchet should do it. The one under the starter is a bit of a PITA so I'd only loosen the 2 on the starter side of the engine, the 2 on the filter side can be removed if you need to with no problem. Get the engine up high enough to remove the valve then replace it with a 90 degree street elbow the same size thread as the valve and a short hydraulic hose that you can run out the front of the tractor with a plug in the end. Next oil change will be a piece of cake.

Hope this helps. I used to live in CT, where are you in the tax you to death state?

I also moved your thread to the CCC/MTD Cub Cadet built Tractors (GT) section.

Welcome to OCC! Congrats on your 2186.

, thanks for the tip on the raising of the mower and oil drain, i saw a pic of the set up you are talking about in another forum some where, i live in newtown ct, yeh its expensive state, found that this year on a road trip down to fla and back. much more relaxed down south,
andy

I used to live in Watertown. Used to buy parts from Newtown Power Equip. Great people to do biz with. I feel for you with Malloy and his bunch of thieves. SW VA is super cheap when it comes to cost of living but trying to find a decent job in this area is tough. Make it up north then bail out. :beerchug:

Congrats on the 2186... just got mine last year and looking to do same fluid, grease and clean. Where did you find the oil drain set up? Haven't gotten to it yet due to another part needing relaceing. I was looking into the drain plugs that have a valve, but the house setup sounds easier and possibly less expensive.

Also, what type of plow do you have? I've been looking for one or a loader attachment eventually.

Thanks... good luck with the new mower.

i been going to newtown power for years, love them, that's how it all started, the sales rep showed my the diff between the hd ones and the one standing up on 2 wheels in his shop, too much money for my frugal ass so started hunting for a used one, now im thinking of building a add on to the garage to house mower, motor bike did not like the oil soaked floor, three more years before daughter leaves school then heading south,
i dont know about plow as stuck it behind shed untill the fall. needs work. i will take a look though