Walker MBK23 - Mower Deck Gearbox Lubrication; Transaxle Oil and Filter Change

Maintenance Instructions LUBRICATION
42
Mower Deck Gearbox Lubrication
On gear driven decks, the mower deck gearboxes
(tee gearbox and blade drive gearboxes) are con-
nected as a unitized assembly, and oil ows freely
between them. The gearboxes are permanently lu-
bricated (oil lled) and sealed requiring no sched-
uled lubrication. However, the gearbox oil seals
should be checked every 25 hours for indication of
an oil leak; particularly the lower seals on the
blade drive gearboxes should be inspected, since
they operate in a dirty environment. If an oil leak is
noted, replace the oil seal and relubricate the gear-
box assembly as follows:
1. Remove gearbox cover (footrest). Deck orien-
tation should be the normal operating position.
Blade Drive
Gearboxes
Tee
Gearbox
Mower Deck Gearboxes
(Shown with Gearbox Cover
Removed for Clarity)
2. Clean the area around the individual gearbox
cover plates to prevent contaminants from en-
tering the gearcase.
3. Remove the screws securing the cover plates
on the blade drive gearboxes.
4. Check the level of lubricant in the gearboxes. If
the lubricant is low, add SAE E.P. (Extreme
Pressure) 80W-90 (API GL-5) gear lube until
the oil level is up to (submerges) the horizontal
shaft in the gearbox (shaft parallel to cover
plate).
NOTE: In case the gearboxes are completely
drained of oil, approximately 5 . oz. (15 cl) of oil
per gearbox is required to rell the gear drive
assembly.
NOTE: Since the gearboxes are connected as
a unit by connector tubes, it is necessary to add
oil slowly. Allow a few minutes after adding oil
for the oil to ow throughout the assembly and
the oil level to stabilize before reassembly.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT overll the deck gear-
boxes. The gearbox assembly is not vented,
and overlling with oil will cause excessive pres-
sure and result in oil leaks.
5. Check condition of the cover gasket and replace
if worn or damaged. Reinstall gearbox cover
plates; torque screws to 24 lb·in. (2.7 N
·m).
Transaxle Oil and Filter Change
Change the transaxle oil after the initial break-in
period of 75-100 hours. Thereafter, change oil ev-
ery 400 hours of operation as follows:
1. Thoroughly clean the exterior of the transmis-
sion housing before servicing. Remove expan-
sion tank cap to allow venting. Using a 1/4 in.
hex wrench, remove the plug on the lower in-
side of each transaxle allowing the oil to drain.
2. Remove the oil lter guard, remove and replace
the oil lter using an oil lter wrench. Tighten
lter by turning lter 3/4 to 1 turn after gasket
contacts the lter base surface. Reinstall the oil
lter guard. (Refer to Transaxle Oil Drain
Plug, Filter, and Guard Location illustration.)
Oil Filter
Guard
Oil Drain
Plug
Oil Filter
Transaxle Oil Drain Plug, Filter, and
Guard Location
(Shown with Deck Support Arms
Removed for Clarity)