Mowers Offer 500 Hours Between Oil Changes
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Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard commercial engines introduced the Vanguard Oil Guard System with its promise of a 500-hour oil change. The system has been adopted by multiple companies producing mowers for the professional landscaper market. They include Ferris, Wright, Hustler Turf Equipment, and, most recently, Exmark.
The extended change cycle is largely the result of more oil, better filtration, and an integrated cooling system for the oil. Excess heat is the major factor in oil degradation, and the Oil Guard System guards against heat.
Key to maintaining oil quality is the quantity of oil in the dry sump system. Dry sump systems with their external reservoirs are used in high-performance race cars. Oil Guard maintains 1 quart circulating through the crankcase and 5 in an external, side-of-engine reservoir. This ensures constant lubrication of all engine parts, even on side hills.
Other commercial mower engines use the wet sump system with 2 quarts of oil in the crankcase. The 2-quart capacity wet sump system can drain oil away from the main bearings at the top of the engine on steep terrain or swales. This can cause friction, heat (also damaging to the oil), and engine failure.
With the Oil Guard System, as the hot oil returns from the engine, it mixes with the 5 quarts in the reservoir and quickly cools. The cooling is aided by the aluminum reservoir, which quickly releases heat to the surrounding air.
The system also features a large, automotive-style oil filter with cyclonic filtering. It’s 80 percent more efficient at filtration than standard spin-on oil filters.
Changing filters and oil is fast, easy, and requires no tools. Open the drain, and 5 quarts of oil drain out. Remove the large, easy-fill cap at the top of the reservoir, twist the oil filter a partial turn, and pull it up and out. Close the drain, pour in 5 quarts of oil, insert a new filter, twist, and close the cap. The job is done.
The Oil Guard System seems to be ahead of the game on commercial, gas-fueled engines. However, as one critic on YouTube pointed out, big diesel-powered mowers have it beat. They cool 3 to 7 quarts of oil with an oil cooler and remote filter. Most also use an air pre-cleaner with a stainless snorkel (reducing rust entry into the engine and oil) directing air into a dual filter Donaldson and then an engine-mounted air filter.
The Oil Guard System is available on select 26 through 40-hp. Vanguard electronic fuel ignition and Big Block V-Twin Vertical Shaft commercial engines.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Vanguard Commercial Power, Briggs & Stratton Corporation (toll-free 800-999-9333; www.vanguardpower.com).
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Mowers Offer 500 Hours Between Oil Changes HAY & FORAGE HARVESTING Mowers 38 Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard commercial engines introduced the Vanguard Oil Guard System with its promise of a 500-hour oil change The system has been adopted by multiple companies producing mowers for the professional landscaper market They include Ferris Wright Hustler Turf Equipment and most recently Exmark The extended change cycle is largely the result of more oil better filtration and an integrated cooling system for the oil Excess heat is the major factor in oil degradation and the Oil Guard System guards against heat Key to maintaining oil quality is the quantity of oil in the dry sump system Dry sump systems with their external reservoirs are used in high-performance race cars Oil Guard maintains 1 quart circulating through the crankcase and 5 in an external side-of-engine reservoir This ensures constant lubrication of all engine parts even on side hills Other commercial mower engines use the wet sump system with 2 quarts of oil in the crankcase The 2-quart capacity wet sump system can drain oil away from the main bearings at the top of the engine on steep terrain or swales This can cause friction heat also damaging to the oil and engine failure With the Oil Guard System as the hot oil returns from the engine it mixes with the 5 quarts in the reservoir and quickly cools The cooling is aided by the aluminum reservoir which quickly releases heat to the surrounding air The system also features a large automotive-style oil filter with cyclonic filtering It’s 80 percent more efficient at filtration than standard spin-on oil filters Changing filters and oil is fast easy and requires no tools Open the drain and 5 quarts of oil drain out Remove the large easy-fill cap at the top of the reservoir twist the oil filter a partial turn and pull it up and out Close the drain pour in 5 quarts of oil insert a new filter twist and close the cap The job is done The Oil Guard System seems to be ahead of the game on commercial gas-fueled engines However as one critic on YouTube pointed out big diesel-powered mowers have it beat They cool 3 to 7 quarts of oil with an oil cooler and remote filter Most also use an air pre-cleaner with a stainless snorkel reducing rust entry into the engine and oil directing air into a dual filter Donaldson and then an engine-mounted air filter The Oil Guard System is available on select 26 through 40-hp Vanguard electronic fuel ignition and Big Block V-Twin Vertical Shaft commercial engines Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Vanguard Commercial Power Briggs & Stratton Corporation toll-free 800-999-9333; www vanguardpower com
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