Proper maintenance is what keeps your compact tractor running efficiently over the years. One of the most important maintenance tasks to perform on your tractor is changing the oil. The engine oil is what keeps engine parts lubricated and running smoothly. However, it is vital to change the oil every now and then to remove contaminants that have accumulated over time. Not changing your oil regularly can lead to overheating and cause many problems for your engine. To avoid this, here is everything you need to know about changing your oil for your compact tractor.

How often should I change my tractor’s engine oil?

Every tractor model is different, so it is essential to read your owner’s manual to see the specified amount of hours you should perform an oil change. However, for compact tractors, a good general rule of thumb is to change it every 200 hours or once a year, whichever comes first.

How do I change my tractor’s engine oil?

You can always bring your tractor to your trusted tractor dealer to get an oil change, however, if you prefer to take care of it on your own, all it takes is a few simple steps.

Step 1: Go to the owner’s manual

As we stated earlier, your tractor’s operator’s manual is going to tell you everything you need to know about what is required for a proper oil change. It should cover vital aspects such as the type of engine oil you need, the motor oil’s capacity, and the type of oil filter that is needed.

Step 2: Drain the old oil

Before you drain the old oil, you are going to run the machine to get the engine oil warm. This will thin up the oil to have it flow better as well as get more contaminants out. With your engine off, find your engine drain plug to begin the process. We recommend that you use safety gloves for this task to avoid any reactions to the skin and reduce some of the mess. The drain plug should look like a large-headed bolt found at the bottom of the engine block. Once you locate the drain plug (look in your manual if you need help finding it), use a wrench to loosen the plug and unscrew it with your hands. The oil should then start draining. Place a drain pan under your tractor to catch the old oil. Also, check for a drain crush washer that seals the drain plug to the engine plug. You will need to replace this later.

Step 3: Remove the oil filter

It should take a bit of time for the oil to drain out, so while you are waiting you can go ahead and remove the old oil filter. Get yourself another oil pan, and locate the spin-on filter. Use the appropriate wrench to remove it. While doing this pay attention to any other crush washers or O-rings you find, because they will need to be replaced. 

Step 4: Gather Supplies

While your oil continues to drain, this is a good time to head to your local dealer and grab the parts needed to install the new oil. This will include the new oil, new oil filter, new O-rings, and new plug if needed. You can also get other supplies that will make the process easier or less messy such as towels and a funnel.

Step 5: Reinstall the oil filter

Once you gather your supplies and all the old oil has drained, the next step is to install a new oil filter. To do this you need to replace the parts exactly how to took them apart. First, coat the O-rings with fresh oil. Thread the spin-on oil filter onto the engine with your hand, tightening it until it is set. Once it is set, use a wrench to tighten it again. 

Step 6: Tighten the drain plug

Once your oil filter is efficiently installed, put your O-ring on the drain plug, thread it, and tighten in by hand, then tighten with a wrench.

Step 7: Fill with new oil

Once your filter and drain plug are set, you can finally pour your new oil into the oil fill. Make sure you use the oil stick to ensure it is at the appropriate level. Once everything looks good, tighten the oil cap.

Step 8: Check for Leaks

Now that you have performed your oil change, put your tractor in the neutral position with the parking brake on, then let it sit for 30 seconds. With the engine on, ensure there are no leaks around the area. After running the engine, double-check the oil level. Due to the filter being on its side when you install it, you can’t prefill it. So once you run the unit, the filter will fill, hence lowering the oil level. If this happens, this will require you to have to top off the oil.

Now that you know the importance of regular oil changes for your compact tractor, you can ensure that your tractor will be running smoothly for years to come. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.