Maintenance Tips

Practicing regular maintenance will extend the life of your Grasshopper and keep it in optimal working order.

Follow these simple steps:

USE OEM PARTS (Original Equipment Manufacturer,) especially belts and filters. OEM parts are engineered to work in conjunction with the specific system for which they are designed. If aftermarket parts fail to protect the equipment, more will be spent on repairs than what is saved on cheaper parts and they may void warranty.

ENGINE OIL Always check the engine oil before starting the mower. Change the oil at recommended intervals using the proper grade of oil, and always use OEM filters.

FLUIDS Check transmission fluid level before each mowing, and engine coolant level, if so equipped. Change at recommended intervals.

CLEANING Keep engine, mower deck, and all other parts of the mower free from dirt and debris. The mower should be cleaned after each mowing using compressed air. CLEAN WITH AIR: Do not use high pressure water or steam to clean engine or drive compartment. Water and cleaning detergent forced into switches and electrical connections may cause rust and corrosion, possibly leading to component and safety circuit failure. Do not allow debris to build up around transmission and engine areas as this can cause overheating and may void product warranty. Use vacuum cleaner or air blower to remove foreign material from the engine and drive compartment. CAUTION: Do not use compressed air to clean the pre-filter or pre-cleaner. Compressed air can tear the filter paper, increasing the potential for larger particles to pass through the engine intake and cause major engine damage. NOTE: Do not over-service air filter. Service pre-filter more frequently. 

BLADES Sharpen blades after, at least, every eight hours of use.

BELTS Check belt tensions and adjust as needed before each mowing. When replacements are needed, always use OEM belts.

LUBRICANTS & FILTERS Lubricate mower and change air filters at the intervals recommended in your Operator's Manual. Check filter between intervals in harsh or dusty operating environments, but do not use compressed air to clean the pre-filter or pre-cleaner. DON’T OVER-GREASE! Excessive lubricant increases load on bearings and causes overheating. Wipe off excess grease as it works like a magnet to attract particles. Unless otherwise noted, a normal grease application is 1 to 2
strokes, applied slowly.

SHELTER Protect mower from harsh elements by storing in a shelter or under a cover.

TIRES Check tire pressure before each mowing using a low-pressure tire gauge. Do not over or under-inflate. CHECK TIRE PRESSURES DAILY: 8” LP Drive Tires: 6 psi. 10” LP Drive Tires: 9 psi. 8” Turf Tires: 8 psi. 10” Turf Tires: 9 psi. Tail Wheels: 12-15 psi. Refer to decal on rim for proper pressure. Use Grasshopper Premium Twin Fiber Homogenized Tire Sealant to prevent small leaks.

BATTERY/WIRING Check battery terminals and wiring connections to make sure they are clean and fastened well.

SEE OWNERS MANUAL Perform all other maintenance as recommended in operator's manual.

In-Season Maintenance

REGULAR MAINTENANCE This helps keep your mowing equipment out in the field and out of the shop. These general maintenance guidelines are intended to help you get peak performance and endurance from your mowing equipment throughout mowing season.

DOCUMENT Always keep a log of all regular maintenance. Document when service was performed and note replacement part numbers. An accurate log will help ensure proper timing of routine maintenance procedures and reduce the likelihood of equipment failure and downtime.

SERVICE MANUALS Consult all equipment service manuals for specific procedures, schedules, and replacement part lists. Use only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts, as OEM parts are designed to work in conjunction with specific systems.

Before Use:

1. Visually inspect all parts and components for proper working condition and replace worn or damaged parts before operating. Adjust loose bolts, nuts, and other components. Confirm all safety features are installed and functioning properly. Remove debris from around engine and transmission.

2. Check engine oil level and add oil as necessary. Inspect engine for oil leaks and replace seals or gaskets, if necessary.

3. Check radiator coolant level and add pre-mixed coolant (50% coolant/50% water) as necessary. Inspect cooling system for leaks and replace seals or hoses, if necessary.

4. Check hydraulic hoses for leaks or signs of wear. Use extra caution when servicing systems that utilize separate pumps, wheel motors, and high-pressure lines to avoid injury.

5. Fill fuel tank with fresh fuel. Stale fuel can damage the engine.

6. Clear debris from air filter housing. Do not clean pre-filter or pre-cleaner every day; a dirty filter is more efficient than a clean filter. Change air filter only if worn, engine loses power or at specified maintenance intervals as determined by the engine manufacturer. NOTE: Do not use compressed air to clean the pre-filter or pre-cleaner. Compressed air can tear the filter paper, increasing the potential for larger particles to pass through the engine intake and cause major engine damage.

7. For air-cooled engines, remove debris from the air-intake screen and from around the cooling fins. For liquid-cooled engines, remove debris from the air-intake screen, and thoroughly clean radiator fins using Grasshopper's low-pressure Radiator Cleaning Wand.

8. Inspect all belts for wear (knicks, fraying, warping), and adjust spring tension, if necessary. Consult operator's manual for tension adjustment procedures.

After Use:

1. Blow away all debris from around mower deck, engine, and transmission using compressed air.

2. Clean out underside of mower deck. Remove built up debris from around baffles and spindles.

CAUTION: Pressurized water can infiltrate bearings and fittings leading to increased wear and premature component failure.

3. Visually inspect the mower. Adjust or replace worn parts, if necessary.

FLUIDS Check transmission fluid level and add fluid as necessary. Only change transmission fluid and filter at specified intervals as outlined in the equipment service manual.

LEAKS Inspect for engine oil, transmission fluid, and radiator coolant leaks. If leaks are found, tighten fittings, replace seals, gaskets and/or hoses, if necessary, before operating. Fluid leaks can cause catastrophic system failure and can also damage turfgrass.

TIRES Ensure tires are properly inflated. Over or under inflated tires can have a significant impact on traction, maneuvering, and cut quality. Remember that tire pressure can change significantly from the cool morning to the heat of the day. Refer to decal on rim for proper pressure. Use Grasshopper Premium Twin Fiber Homogenized Tire Sealant to prevent small leaks.

BLADES Keep blades sharpened. Sharpen after, at least, every 8 hours of use. Dull blades reduce quality of cut, increase fuel consumption, and cause turf damage. Do not straighten bent blades or add weight to blade tips; this can affect airflow and diminish cut quality. Discard and replace with OEM-specified replacement blades. Balance blades after sharpening to prevent vibration damage to mower deck.

SPARK PLUGS If using a spark ignition engine, clean spark plugs and replace, if necessary.

OIL/FLUIDS Change the engine oil and transmission fluid at recommended service intervals.

AIR FILTERS Replace inner air filter and pre-filter/pre-cleaner at recommended service intervals.

LUBRICANTS Lubricate all grease fittings. Do not over-grease. Excess grease can damage seals and attract particles that can increase friction and cause overheating, premature wear, and component failure. Use a disposable shop towel to wipe off any excess grease before use.

WIRING/FUSES Check wiring harnesses and visible wiring for damaged casings and repair or replace if needed. Inspect fuse panel and replace fuses as necessary.

Winterization Tips

Every Grasshopper mower is designed to make routine maintenance and winterization simple. Here are some great tips to help you prepare your mower for the cold winter months ahead.

Winter Prep:

BATTERY  Prior to the onset of cold temperatures, clean and inspect the battery, cables, terminals, tray, and hold-downs as well as check the battery case for leaks and cracks. Keep your battery fully charged through the winter with a Battery MINDer®, available from Grasshopper (PN 102050.) This prevents damage due to self-discharging without risking overcharging when left on the battery for indefinite periods of time. Keep the battery charged to keep your Grasshopper ready all year long.

BLOCK HEATER If the ambient temperature drops below 20°F, it may be necessary to add supplemental heat to the engine. Block heaters are available for most Kubota engines used in Grasshopper power units.

GLOW PLUGS (Diesel Engines) Check that all glow plugs are in good condition. One bad glow plug will prevent the engine from starting. CAUTION: Activate glow plugs for 5 to 10 seconds only. NEVER preheat for more than 20 seconds.

ENGINE OIL  It is critical that the correct oil for cold weather operation is used in all engines. The use of 30W oil in winter, for example, will often cause starting problems. Follow the engine manufacturer's oil recommendation for cold weather operation.

STARTING FLUIDS Do not use any type of starting fluid on any Kubota, Kohler or Briggs & Stratton engine. Starting fluids will cause severe piston ring or ring land damage on all engines.

COLD WEATHER WARM-UP Never run a cold engine at full throttle. Run at low to medium throttle for several minutes until warm. This varies from the advice provided by modern automobile engine manufacturers. A working Grasshopper engine runs at much faster speeds than automobile engines and thus should be given a few minutes of warm-up time to ensure lubricant is flowing freely throughout the engine.

FUEL Different grades of fuel are used for warm and cold weather operation. Be certain to use a good quality, fresh winter-grade fuel, as summer-grade fuel creates a hard starting situation in cold weather. A fuel stabilizer such as STA-BIL™ should be added to all of your bulk fuel purchases throughout the year, and it becomes even more critical during winter months when the unit may sit for many weeks at a time without being used. If fuel stabilizer was not added to the bulk fuel, then it is a good idea to add the proper amount directly into the fuel tank. When stabilizer is added to the fuel tank, allow the engine to run in an open, ventilated area for about 10 minutes to ensure the treated fuel is circulated throughout the fuel system.

CAUTION: According to Kubota Engineering Bulletin KEI-144, use of biodiesel fuel in cold weather can lead to fuel system plugging, hard starting, and other possible unknown failures. Plugging can include both fuel filters and fuel lines.

Winter Storage

DECK Always clean the underside of the mower deck frequently during the mowing season, and give it a thorough cleaning before winter storage to prevent rust. Spray the underside of the deck with water to clear any clippings or residue, then use a bristled brush to remove any stubborn deposits. Allow deck to thoroughly air dry before storage.

SPARK PLUGS Spark plugs typically require replacement every 100 hours of operation. If a plug is corroded, replace it before storing the mower for the winter. For plugs that are still in good condition, adding an ounce of motor oil to the cylinders and cranking the engine a few times will help keep cylinders lubricated during winter storage.

BLADES Sharpen your blades in preparation for the following spring, and replace any blades that are worn or damaged with new Grasshopper GrassMax™ replacement blades. Blades should always be sharpened when they become dull and no longer provide a clean cut.

BELTS It's a good idea to check all of your Grasshopper's drive belts and deck drive belts before winter storage. Replace any that are nicked, frayed, warped, or have started to slip with genuine Grasshopper MaxLife™ OEM belts.

AIR FILTER A good rule of thumb is to replace the air filter either every year before winter storage or every spring before cutting commences. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions on the proper care and replacement of the filter. If a replacement is needed, always choose an OEM Grasshopper air filter to keep your mower running at peak efficiency.

FUEL FILTER Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions regarding the proper care and replacement of the filter. If a replacement is needed, always choose an OEM Grasshopper fuel filter to keep your mower running at peak efficiency.

TIRES Tire pressure can greatly affect the quality of cut your mower provides. Be sure to check the tires for leaks and extreme wear at the end of every mowing season. Repair or replace them as necessary, to prevent sidewall damage from sitting flat over the winter. Tire chains are available for 20-inch diameter and smaller turf tires to increase traction for winter usage.

EXTERIOR CLEANING Give your mower a good cleaning before winter storage, removing any dried grass and dirt from crevices, and use a solvent such as WD-40® to remove any oil or gas stains. If the mower is washed, blow standing water off with compressed air and allow it to dry completely before placing in storage.

STORAGE Finally, Grasshopper recommends storing your mower indoors and out of the elements to prevent undue wear and tear and to ensure it's ready for its next use whether that's snow removal, debris cleanup, or mowing. If you spend the winter in a warmer climate, look for storage units in your area that provide extra security and protection. A mower cover is available for all Grasshopper models (PN 420085) if the mower is stored in an area exposed to the elements.

Following these simple winterization tips will ensure that you'll be ready to make the most of your Grasshopper season after season, year after year.

Spring Maintenance

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