How do I catch the oil from a K engine Cub without "drenching" the deck!

CADplans · #1 10-26-2011, 11:43 AM

I haven't mowed with an older Cub Cadet for years. My recent machines dump the oil somewhere you can get it in a pan easily. Now I have a 1204 with a K301 engine. I want to change the oil, without oil all over the deck.

My oil drain pan is a 2 foot yellow plastic monster.

Do I need a funnel, a chute, etc....

Like Alton Brown, I hate uni-taskers', but, I want to change the oil without making a mess.

What do I do??

brennanpersonal · #2 10-26-2011, 11:57 AM

I too have wondered if anyone has ever produced and elbow and a 3" pipe to the rear or to the side so the oil could be drained w/o so much hassle. On my 108 I have to remove the cover plate and if I really want a clean change I have to remove the deck. Every time I have tried to use a funnel or some other procedure somehow it always ends up on the floor.
If I were a machinist i would design a rear or side pipe extension (thru the frame) off the drain hole so I could just drain it and go. I know this can't be too hard and thru the frame would be vunerable to vibration and engine movement, etc, but still I am sure something could be done. Like make the frame hole real big?

samiam44 · #3 10-26-2011, 01:10 PM

You can buy or have made a short hydraulic hose. Need to match the thread on pan and then have a pipe plug etc for the other side. Most comercial operators use them in all their equipement. Take a look at the rental places.

Michael

zippy1 · #4 10-26-2011, 01:12 PM

Take the deck off.

_DX3_ · #5 10-26-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy1

Take the deck off.

What he said, but also the reason I will take the deck off for an oil change is it is a good time to remove the blades and sharpen them, grease the deck bearings real good and scrape off the accumulated grass clippings hanging on under the deck causing nasty rust. I just make a good full day of it.

Matt G. · #6 10-26-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy1

Take the deck off.

+1...it takes five minutes, and you should already be taking it off to grease the spindles and clean all the buildup from the underside, as has already been mentioned.

CADplans · #7 10-26-2011, 04:28 PM

Since I use the carbide coated blades and only mow dry grass, the deck never comes off.

I never have to sharpen blades, when the carbide is gone, throw them away.

And I have never cleaned under a deck.

Boy I must be missing half the fun of owning a Cub Cadet.

ol'George · #8 10-26-2011, 04:29 PM

+ 1 also!
it is so easy to drop the deck.

darkminion_17 · #9 10-26-2011, 08:27 PM

I use a square baking pan I took from the wife's cupboard,fits nice between the mule drive arms and holds enough oil for a 8 and 10hp,it also pre lubes the pan for baking...,on the larger ones a 1 gallon milk jug cut down works for me.Don't you guys use flexible hoses on your grease guns ? works for me...