Engine oil comes in wide varieties and the right oil selection helps improve engine performance. Want to know the best motor oil for your Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower? In order to help you, we did some research on this matter, and this is what we discovered.
Choosing the best oil for Troy Bilt riding lawnmowers depends on the engine's type and operating temperature.
Below you'll find compatible types of oil by temperature for each kind of engine that the Troy Bilt riding lawn mower has:
- Briggs and Stratton Engines
- Synthetic SAE 5W-30 motor oil: -40°F to 120°F
- SAE 30: 40°F - 100°F
- SAE 10W-30: –20° F - 100°F
- SAE 5W-30: below 40°F
- Vanguard 15W-50: 20°F - 130°F
- KOHLER engines
- SAE 10W-30: average temperature
- SAE 5W-30: below 0°F
We'll go into great depth about the best oil for your Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower in this article. We'll show you some examples, the amount of oil this equipment can hold, and how to change the oil. Continue reading to learn more about all of these things.
What Is The Best Oil For A Troy-Bilt Riding Lawn Mower?
Lawnmower engines can run more efficiently by using the proper motor oil. Motor oil is available in a wide range of varieties. The company Troy-Bilt, they don’t specify the brand of oil to use for every piece of machinery they have, especially for Troy-Bilt riding lawnmowers.
Even while Troy Bilt’s website sells Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) brands, there is no official Troy-Bilt brand oil. Yet, even their website sells oil from different brands, such as Kohler, Craftsman, etc., proving that there isn't just one that will work.
That is why choosing the best oil for a Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower depends on your particular climate rather than stressing about which brand to purchase. You also need to consider the engine used for this kind of mower.
This Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower usually has Briggs and Stratton and KOHLER engines. As for Briggs and Stratton engine, it uses any type of oil based on temperature.
Some compatible oils for this type of mower having Briggs and Stratton engine with their operating temperature are:
1. Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil: -40°F to 120 °F
Click here to see this synthetic SAE 5W-30 motor oil on Amazon.
2. SAE 30: 40°F - 100°F
Click here to see this SAE 30 on Amazon.
3. SAE 10W-30: –20°F - 100°F
Click here to see this 10W-30 on Amazon.
4. SAE 5W-30: below 40°F
Click here to see this SAE 5W-30 on Amazon.
5. Vanguard 15W-50: 20°F - 130°F
Click here to see this SAE 30 on Amazon.
For KOHLER engines, they advised that if the temperature in your area is average, you could use SAE 10W-30, but if it is below zero, you should immediately switch to our preferred SAE 5W-30.
What Is The Oil Capacity Of Troy-Bilt Riding Lawn Mower?
Determining the oil capacity of your equipment is useful, especially when changing oil. That way, you'll already know how much you will fill your tank in times of changing it.
Most small engines have total capacities of less than one quart (32 oz.), while most medium-sized engines have total capacities of less than two quarts (64 oz.). These are only estimates, and it's always a good idea to have some extra oil available.
However, for the Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower, the oil capacity is 1.5 quarts (48oz.) based on the manual. And so, this type of mower is a medium-sized engine. You should change the oil every 50 hours or once a year, whichever occurs first.
It is certain that some oil will remain in a completed engine after emptying or extracting it. In order to replenish the system to an operational level, less oil will be required as a result of the residual oil. Therefore, it is wise to add the oil to the engine gradually and check the level often to avoid overfilling.
How To Change Oil On A Troy-Bilt Riding Lawn Mower?
It's crucial to check and replace the engine oil on your riding lawnmowers as part of routine maintenance. The engine of your machine will operate as intended and last longer if you conduct this maintenance as directed in your owner's manual. For changing the oil, follow the steps listed below.
1. Position The Riding Mower
Park riding mower on a flat area. Apply the parking brake and remove the key. Place the key in a safe location.
2. Remove The Hood
Removing the hood will allow you easy access to your engine. Disconnect the light harness. Then, lift the hood off the frame and put it in a safe place for later reinstallation.
3. Check The Engine Temperature
Allow the engine to rest for some time to cool off. Verify the engine has cooled off by touching the outside casing but still do it with caution because it still might be hot.
4. Prepare A Collection Container
Place a catching basin underneath or on the side near the draining port of the riding mower. Only use an appropriate oil collection container as noted in your equipment’s manual. You can also look for a basin or bucket that is big enough to catch the used oil of your riding mower.
Click here to see this oil drain pan on Amazon.
5. Wipe Off The Engine Area's Surroundings
Clean the area around the oil fill tube, oil drain, and oil filter using a cleaning cloth or rag. As you change the oil and oil filter, this will clear the engine of any dirt and other debris that might enter the engine.
Click here to see this cleaning cloth on Amazon.
6. Drain The Oil
It will be necessary to drain the existing oil. To drain the oil, first, pry open the protective cap on the oil drain. Next, insert the oil drain tube and twist. Then, open the oil drain spout and let it drain.
Wait for the oil to drain. After that, close the oil spout and remove the oil tube. Recap the oil drain valve's end to prevent debris from getting into the drain port.
Another way is using the siphon pump. Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick first. The dipstick is similar to taking a sword out of its sheath. Then, insert the pump’s black tube into the engine's oil fill tube and the pump’s orange tube into the oil pan or collection container.
Click here to see this product on Amazon.
Three to four pumpings of the handle are enough to prime the pump. As soon as the liquid starts to flow, no additional pumping is required. Once it has completed draining the oil, remove the siphon pump.
Remember to properly dispose of the drained oil.
7. Remove The Oil Filter
You may use the old filter again or better purchase a new filter. If you have a new one, dispose of the old filter properly. To remove, use an oil filter wrench to loosen the oil filter. Using your hand, gently twist the oil filter off.
Click here to see this Troy-Bilt riding mower oil filter on Amazon.
With a clean towel, wipe the region surrounding the oil filter housing or any spilled oil if present. Before installing the new oil filter, carefully coat the gasket or oil filter ring with new engine oil to ensure a tight seal.
Affix the oil filter to the oil filter adapter until the gasket is in place or snug by hand. Using the oil filter wrench, tighten the filter one-quarter turn extra to secure it. For additional guidance on correctly tightening the filter, consult your operator's manual.
Click here to see this oil filter wrench on Amazon.
Click here to see this oil filter wrench on Amazon.
8. Add New Engine Oil
Carefully add the recommended type and amount of oil for your engine as noted in your engine’s manual. Use a funnel to pour oil into the tank.
Click here to see this funnel on Amazon.
You can fill it without stopping if you are aware of the tank's maximum oil capacity. However, if you don't know how much oil your riding mower uses, fill it up and use the dipstick to check the oil level regularly.
Avoid overfilling as this may result in excessive smoke and engine damage.
9. Check The Oil Levels
New oil is viscous and needs to be distributed throughout your engine. After some time has passed, use the dipstick to check the oil level once more.
You may find that the oil level indicated on the dipstick has lowered as the oil moved through the engine. If it has fallen below the full line, add more oil.
Pull back the dipstick from the tube. Prepare a rag or paper towel and wipe any oil from the dipstick's tip. Two marks may be seen at the tip of the dipstick. The lower line shows that the oil level is one quart low and the upper mark indicates it is full.
Push the dipstick all the way down the tube. Now take it out again and carefully inspect the tip and check how far the oil is covered.
Your engine has enough oil if the level is between the two marks. It's time to add more oil if it is at or below the low mark. But much better if it is in the full mark. After that put back the dipstick and tighten it.
10. Return The Hood
Install the hood back into place and reconnect the light harness and you are ready to mow.
For you to see how it is been done, check out the video below.
Conclusion
Using the correct oil and performing routine oil changes may prolong the engine life of your lawn mower and keep it operating effectively and efficiently.
Consider the model of your lawn mower and the manufacturer's recommendations to determine the optimum oil for it. Think about the engine type, viscosity, and operating circumstances as well.
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