Transaxle Fluid Change - Husqvarna MZ 52LE Operator's Manual

LUBRICATION

Transaxle Fluid Change

The transaxle is designed with an external filter
for ease of maintenance. To ensure constant fluid
quality levels and longer life, an oil filter change
interval of every 200 hours is recommended.
The following procedure is performed with the
transaxles installed in the mower and the mower
on level ground. Apply the pump release valve for
each transaxle and set the park brake.
1. Remove the filter guard screws and filter
guard. Clean any loose debris from around
the perimeter of the filter.
2. Place an oil drain pan (30.5 cm or more
diameter and 9.5 liters capacity is optimal)
beneath the oil filter. Remove the oil filter from
the transaxle.
3. After the oil has drained, wipe the filter base
surface and apply a film of new oil to the
gasket of the replacement filter.
4. Install the new filter by hand, turning it three-
quarters to one full turn after the filter gasket
contacts the filter base surface.
5. Reinstall the filter guard. Torque screws to
65 in/lbs. each.
6. Repeat steps on the opposite side.
7. Drain old oil filters of all free flowing oil prior
to disposal. Place used oil in appropriate
containers and dispose of it in accordance
with laws in your area.
8. Remove the top port plug from the left and
right sides of the transaxles prior to filling with
oil. This will allow the transaxles to vent during
oil fill.
9. Remove the cap from the transaxles'
expansion tank located on the vehicle frame.
10. Fill with 20W50 motor oil until oil just appears
at the bottom of each transaxles' top port
(approximately two quarts per transaxle, four
quarts total). Install the top port plug into each
transaxle as the oil level reaches the port.
30
11. Install and torque the top port plugs to
180 in./lbs.
12. Continue to fill the transaxles through the
expansion tank until the FULL COLD line
is reached (this will take approximately .7
additional liters).
13. Reinstall the expansion tank cap by hand. Be
careful to not overtighten.
Transmission Purging
Purge procedures must be implemented if
the hydrostatic system has been opened for
maintenance or when more oil has been added to
the system.
Due to the effects air has on efficiency in
hydrostatic drive applications, it is critical to
purge the system. Resulting symptoms of air in
hydrostatic systems may be:
• Noisy operation.
• Lack of power or drive after short term
operation.
• High operation temperature and excessive
expansion of oil.
• Shortened component life.
Before starting, make sure the oil tank is at the
proper oil level. If not, fill to the specifications
outlined above.
Perform the procedure first with the vehicle drive
wheels off the ground, then repeated under
normal operating conditions.
See Moving Machine By Hand in the Operation
section for bypass linkage adjustments.
1. Disengage the brake if activated.
2. With the bypass linkage open and the
engine running at fast idle, slowly move the
directional control in both forward and reverse
directions (5 or 6 times). As air is purged from
the unit, the oil level will drop.
3. With the bypass linkage closed and the
engine running, slowly move the directional
control in both forward and reverse directions
(5 to 6 times). Check the oil level and add oil
as required after stopping the engine.
4. It may be necessary to repeat Steps 2 and 3
until all the air is completely purged from the
system. When the hydraulic drive operates
at normal noise levels and moves smoothly
forward and reverse at normal speeds, the
hydraulic drive is considered purged.
5. After the vehicle has been used two times, the
oil level must be checked while the oil is cold
and adjusted accordingly.