New 109 hydrostatic w/snowthrower owner..I'm lost!

[Superglyde]

Morning all, new member and I just took the plunge and bought a 109 hydro with a 48" mower and a 42" snowthrower.
Problem is, I don't know a thing about it and scratching my head on how to put on and take off the mower and snowthrower.
Runs like top. I can't believe how fast it is compared to my 1018 that blew up last week.
Any advice from you all would help, particularly with instructions on how to install the mower and snow thrower. Any critical things I need to do as far as routine maintenance? Somebody told me to use non detergent oil in that Kohler 10 hp iron motor.
Thanks!
Carl

[ACecil]

Hi Carl,

Welcome to OCC! That is correct on the engine oil. Just use straight 30W. As far as maintenance, change the motor and transmission oils, and grease all the grease fittings on the tractor. Someone else will be able to help you with the snowblower and mower deck. I don't have either of those for my cub. Hope this helps!

[Matt G.]

Striaght 30W, yes, but detergent is fine. I would recommend Shell Rotella or Kohler, Briggs, JD, or CC oil made for small engines. Those all have enough ZDDP to keep the litters happy. Most oils now have less of this because of emission regulations.

[darkminion_17]

superglyde
At least your scratching your head.
just kidding,here is a link for manuals.
http://www.ccmanuals.info/pdf/

[Superglyde]

Thanks for the reply all, and the link to the manual. Google does not help you find those and I'm not good at the search function here..chasing rabbits all over the place.
One thing I noticed is not many posts about the 109..they are mostly about 100's, 125's, 149's...just an observation.
But this tractor duly impresses me. Just being able to cut grass in reverse or get off it while its still running is fantastic and absent of all that govt regulation crap.
Thanks again

[CMA's129]

I love the wide frames with the green stripe, they are my favorite. I just found a 109 for parts in NY yesterday let me know if you would like his number. send me an E-mail.

[Yosemite Sam]

IMHO, the 109's were a bit underpowered. My first Cub was a 109 still have it and still love it, but you gotta keep right up with the grass or you can get in trouble.

[clint]

I agree with the others on the oil to use. Many mechanics etc are very uninformed about engine oil, and that goes for more than just mechanics, there is a lot of snake oil rumors floating around about engine oil, that goes for small air cooled engines like these Kohlers, and cars, trucks you name it.

Use a HDEO (heavy duty engine oil) there are common to diesel engines, and have plenty of ZDDP in them as they are not held to strict standards of the passenger car engine oils. A straight 30 weight engine oil also has many advantages in an air cooled engine as long as your not using it in sub zero temps. Just a repeat of the above Shell Rotella HD 30, Delo HD 30, and Mystic also makes a fine 30 weight.

ZDDP for your info has been lowered in the newer, and the newest GF 5 spec for our passenger cars to help car manufactures engine, and parts manufactures stay in compliance with federal regulations of the emission system warranty which is normally a lot more than the car manufacture warranty.. emission system components may go 100k-150k , and the main component the ZDDP effected was that catalytic converter.. in my opinion this is a far reach at the manufactures grasping as I have never seen a catalytic converter ruined by oil burning, but I guess when the manufactures are crunching numbers anything is possible..

Sorry I got way off topic here just some useful info to go alone

[Superglyde]

Great info on the oil. Its not off topic at all. In fact my followup question is then what would you use in the winter for pushing and blowing snow? its hardly even below 10 here in Maryland, but we get some big snows.
Carl

[Matt G.]

I use 15W-40 Shell Rotella T in the tractors I use sporadically and year-round so I don't have to change the oil after 5 hours in the summer and an hour or two in the winter. You can use that in the summer, too, but oil consumption will probably be much higher.