Amount of oil vs slope?

[gcbailey]

I had an interesting discussion tonight with a total stranger at Cracker Barrel. He noticed my 'IH' decal on the back of my truck and he has a couple of old cubs. He informed me since we live in a hilly region that I need to add a little extra oil for the engine and transmission of my cub? His logic made some sense, but is he right? I know the engines are splash lubed... My backyard that I mow across is between 18 and 23 degrees, this runs for about 100 yards and I probably make 8 or 9 passes. Do you all think the engine in my 127 would be slanted enough to cause any problems or add extra oil? The Kohler Command engines are pressurized, right? So that really wouldn't apply to them...

[R Bedell]

This may help....

[bsyphrit]

i tend to wonder if the cub slope gauge is more to cover them from law suits from people getting injured as apposed to what the engine transmission oil level is at when on the grade.

i know i have taken mine over a 15 degree angle for short distances as many here also have. sorry to say i do not have the answer to your question.

[hilltop]

I'm interested in any answer to this as well - 80% of my property ( 5 acres - about 2 1/2 needs mowed) is sloped at 15 degrees at the least - many areas are a bit steeper. I've been using an MTD rider (12hp B&S) for years without making any changes in oil amount and have had no problems - does my the K241 in my 104 need the extra oil?

[gcbailey]

Roland I was also under the impression that 15 deg was to prevent against flipping the tractor also. I know these older engines tend to be a lot more durable, but I don't want to do anything to cause pre-mature wear or failure.

[R Bedell]

I "think" the above recommendations, are based on many factors. Some of these would include stability, safety, safe equipment lubrication, etc

If I recall correctly, the Kohler Service Manual has a different angle....I was thinking 25° but don't hold me to it

[Matt G.]

I would keep the oil right at the 'full' mark, but I wouldn't overfill. If you overfill it, the excess will go past the rings and come out the breather.

[TEET]

I'm with Matt on this one Gary. I remember reading different specs in a Kohler manual at one time like Roland stated as well. I think with the size of the engine block, the movement of the dipper, and the volume of oil present when it is "full" per kohler's recommendation, you wont have any problems on your property. I think its a bigger problem having too much oil in the crankcase period. Like Matt said, you will simply loose oil out of the breather.

When I got my 73 the guy delivered to my house, started it up, and drove it off his trailer. I traded him an old wheel horse roller for it, and I knew the 73 was a smoker, and needed a rebuild at the least(according to his expert diagnosis..um). He was right..it chugged along like a steam engine. After he left the first thing I did was check the oil.....yup....almost 3/4 of a quart too much. I drained it, refilled with the proper amount, and guess what....no more smoke, she runs beautifully.

Jeff (teet)

[gcbailey]

OK, thanks guys. Like I said, I really know nothing as far as how a splash lubed engine goes, I know on my 2544 I've had it up and down a lot steeper, but again it's pressurized.

I really didn't know what to tell the guy last night outside of "never heard that".