Help Changing Oil McConnel Magnum Elite Mower

[McConnel]

Hi all,

I just signed up to your forum as I've just got a Magnum Elite 245 and I've got my first question.

I'm trying to change the gearbox and half-shaft oil but when I undo the drain plug only the gearbox oil comes out.

Should they not be linked?

http://dealerinside.mcconnel.com/dealerinside/Parts/PDFManuals/pdf/Manuals/Mowers/MAGNUM ELITE - Operation & Parts Manual (Rev.20.06.17).pdf

 

[Right-arm fast]

You might find that the half shaft oil has to seep through a ball bearing where the tube bolts to the side of the gear box and so you should leave the drain plug out for longer to allow it get through???? Just a guess. Might help to take one of the plugs out of the tube aswell.

 

[McConnel]

Thanks for the suggestion, I already left it for a few hours with the gearbox empty and when I opened the drain plug again only a few drops came out and the half-shaft was still full to the Level plug!

I've now sucked most of it out of the half-shaft via the level plug hole now so will now refill to the level plug and a bit above and see if any gets into the gearbox...

 

[McConnel]

Well I totally filled the half shaft which took about 1800ml and none at all seeped into the gearbox (drain plug out).

So I drained it back out of the level plug until it was the right level and then put all that plus the 200ml I had left over in the gearbox.

They both seem about the same level now so will just have to use it like that and maybe try filling the gearbox first next time I change it.

Maybe there is a problem with mine and it's meant to pass between the two but my bearing is a bit tight or something.

Seems a strange design if they're not linked as there is no level plug on the gearbox.

 

[Right-arm fast]

Have you been in touch with mcconnel?

 

[McConnel]

Yes I rang the head office in Ludlow which is actually quite close to where I live and the "technical" guy could only read what was in the manual (above) and had no idea.

I also rang two McConnel dealers my local and another major one and they both had no idea.

Sigh!