Kubota Zero Turn Mowers let you mow your lawn like a pro, but even the highest quality mowers benefit from regular maintenance and proper care. Here are some tips to help you kick off your mowing season and get the best performance from you Kubota mower.
Start the Year with Fresh Gasoline
Fresh gasoline is essential to the proper starting and running of a mower. Gasoline breaks down over time, which could cause your mower to perform poorly or not start at all. To prevent issues with your Kubota Zero Turn Mower, run the remaining gas out of the machine or drain the gasoline at the end of each mowing season, to ensure you start fresh the following season.
Change the Oil
Before you get your Kubota mower rolling, you’ll want to change the oil. Dirty oil can damage your engine, shorten the engine’s life, and cause future maintenance problems. It is recommended that you change your oil after every 100 hours of mower usage or once a year, whichever comes first.
When changing your oil, be sure to allow the engine to cool down, as the oil inside will be hot and could cause burns.
To change the used oil:
- Unhook the drain hose, direct the hose down and remove the drain plug and oil level dipstick. The used oil can be drained out more easily if the engine is warm.
- After all used oil has drained, reinstall the drain plug and return the hose to the hook.
- Fill with new oil up to the upper level on the dipstick.
- To check the oil level: Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it and draw it out again. Check to see that the oil level is between the 2 marks.
When you do change your oil, make sure not to overfill. This can cause just as many problems as not filling it enough.
SHARPEN MOWER BLADES
Like most items you use to cut things, mower blades become dull over time and with use. A dull mower blade only tears the grass instead of giving it a nice clean cut. Sharpening your blades 2-3 times a year will help give your lawn a clean professional looking cut.
To sharpen your own mower blades:
- Before checking or replacing the blade, wipe grass and mud off the top and inside of the mower. Especially clean up the inside of the belt cover, otherwise the belt life will be reduced.
- Wedge a block of wood between the blade and mower housing or use a box wrench over the pulley nut to prevent the spindle from rotating while removing the blade bolts, then loosen the blade bolts. Use the proper metric size box or socket wrench to tighten or loosen the blade mounting bolt.
- Clamp the blade securely in a vise. Use a large mill file and file along the original bevel until sharp.
- To check the blade for balance, place a small rod through the center hole. If the blade is not balanced, file the heavy side of the blade until balance is achieved.
- Pass the spline boss through the plate, blade and 2 cup washers, and tighten the bolt.
- Make sure that the cup washer is not flattened out or worn; this cause blade to slip excessively. Replace the 2 cup washers if either is damaged.
Sharpening your own blades can be a dangerous task. To avoid serious injury be sure to stop the engine and remove the key. Your Kubota mower’s blades maybe sharp, when you handle blades be sure to wear heavy gloves or wrap end of blade with a rag.
If you don’t have experience sharpening your mower blades, then it is recommended that you take your mower to your local Kubota dealer.