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break in period / maintenance schedule

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derson279

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited by Moderator)
A few questions: I work for a nonprofit organization that recently purchased a new Cub Cadet LX 60 zero-turn mower. The motor is a Kawasaki FR 730V, 24 HP. There are discrepancies between the maintenance schedules of the motor manufacturer and the Cub Cadet manufacturer.
  • The Kawasaki Manual for my engine states to change the oil at 8 hrs., change the oil filter at every 200 hrs., and the oil at every 100 hrs.
  • Cub Cadet recommends to change oil @ 5 hrs., oil filter and oil change every 50 hrs.
  • The tech that dropped off my mower recommended oil change at 10 hrs and stick to the Cub Cadet recommended oil changes and filter change (50 hrs.)
  • I know Kawasaki Has no idea what their motors are being used for. Should I go with Cub Cadet's recommendations or the motor manufacturer's recommendations?
 
#3 ·
I would follow Cub Cadets recommendation. Air cooled engines run hotter than thier liquid cooled counterparts and are harder on oil. I think, for the price of an oil filter, it is crazy not to replace it at each oil change as Kawasaki recommends. With a capacity of 2.2qts including the filter vs 1.9quts without the filter, why leave .3qt of dirty oil in the engine? Over the long haul, I believe it will be better for the engine to follow Cub Cadets mtce schedule.
 
#4 ·
If you are running 5 hours a day, change it after the 1st day. If you are putting on 3 or 4 hours a day, change oil and filter after 2 days

As for oil changes, the more oil changes the better. But with every oil change, change the filter, clean oil is better the dirty oil.
Where I work, I change oil and filter about once a month. Last weeks oil changes, a low of 96 hours and a high of 113 hours.

Just so you are aware, if you have a problem with the engine, you dealer will be dealing with Kawasaki, not Cub.

Your choice.....

Hi Ho Hi Ho.......:laugh:
.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
upon break-in I would do it in 5 hours and again at the 15hour mark and then at 25hours to really help flush out all of the metal shaving and engine break-in stuff. really helps the rings to seat good with fresh oil......then stretch out to the 75-100 hour filter and oil change on synthetic.

Most will say 100 hours between changes because its easier for us commercial guys as the hydro's are usually every 200 hours..(aka every other oil change).... YOu are comparing oil changes to oil changes right? and not a hydro service to and oil change....just wanted to point that out...

50hours between changes...ok won't hurt anything to change the oil and filter more often probably better on the more frequent oil changes if you use dino/conventional types

A big variable is how often and in what conditions is the machine used for: dusty, dry, hot conditions go with 50 hours (regardless of oil type/brand). pull the dip stick before operation every time and see the oil color and level.

More frequent oil changes will only help the engine to live longer
 
#8 ·
As of 2020 Kawasaki states:

"After additional testing by our Research and Development department we have determined that a break-in period is no longer needed due to advances in manufacturing of our engines. Please refer to your owner’s manual for your engine’s maintenance schedule."

It's quite simple.
 
#9 ·
Where is this written? I have a brand new Zmaster 4000 HD 31HP and I cannot find this anywhere. I also cannot find in the Toro or Kawasaki manual anything on when to do the first oil change. It only has the normal spreadsheet with intervals. The dealer said 10hrs.
 
#10 ·
8-10 hours is pretty standard for break in (1st oil filter and fluid change).

I change oil and filter every 50 hours, but I'm a bit of a maintenance freak.

But visually checking your oil for 'color' is probably a better measure.

Small engines (especially air cooled) running at 3600 rpm (most of the time) are rough on oil. I don't wait for oil to start turning 'black' to change it.

At the intervals I use and the type mowing/use my machine sees (Kawasaki 25 hp) the oil will just be turning a dark brown.

It will vary (engine, use, machine), but if you are starting with a new engine...why not treat it right.... from the beginning. It will serve you a long time.
 
#11 ·
I don't disagree at all, I was mainly hoping this guy would backup that post with some sort of link or something since its literally the only time I have ever seen it. But I do also find it interesting that it is not mentioned in any manual for the break in first change. I know lots of manufacturers in other industries have come up with ways to do the break in before it leaves and get fresh oil in to help deal with warranties and people that won't get the first one within 10 hrs so I would not be surprised if this was an actual change that they figured out how to handle in house. I am just surprised I cannot find specific new information either way written.
 
#13 ·
That post was May 18 2020 so I was hoping Ned888 would see a reply and post a link. I know its old but Google doesn't care about age when it searches. I was surprised no one responded to that post to disprove it. I was in search of written info from Kawasaki on the break in when I found this. So far other than peoples comments I cannot find actual from the factory break in and first oil change data. Tried all over the Toro site and manual and the Engine manual.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yeah I have been. SMH. since you found so much post a link. I found a service manual on the groundskeeper that says first oil change is 50 hrs. Cannot find anything on a zmaster for first oil change, just the 100 hr schedule in the Kawasaki manual. No asterisk or symbol with a note for first change.

Here is where I downloaded the manual

Kawasaki FX921V 31.0 hp

I cannot see any mention of a first oil change. One would think when this engine has a warranty that they would make sure to put clear and large info for a first oil change that is so important and would affect the life of the motor. I mean my Canam has it in the manual for the first oil change, and my Kubota tractor also. It's very strange to me, but my eyesight is starting to go so maybe I keep missing it because something so important is probably in really small print and hard for owners to find.
 
#18 ·
Some of the smaller engines have an oil filter and oil change at 8 hours. The FX Series is an industrial engine, change the filter at 8 hours if you like but it's too early for the oil itself, you want it to brake-in after all.
 
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