Mower Review

- How do I change the oil in my Bolens MTD 22 Push Mower, Briggs Stratton 500?
I lost the manual. I'm an ignorant widow. Don't know where to find the place to add or change the oil in my push mower. It's a Bolens MTD 22 push mower, side discharge, Briggs Stratton 500 158cc 5.00 Troy Built. It works great and I want to keep it that way. Just need to know where to put the oil.

A The drain plug will be either on the front flange of the crankcase just above the mower deck or under the mower deck. It usually has a square head that you can put a wrench on. The fill cap as well can be one of two places on a Briggs. Some have a stand pipe that extends to near the top of the engine and the cap will be marked engine oil. The other type will be down low on the engine block on one side, usually opposite the carburetor, and will have two little prongs sticking up on it so you can turn it to remove. Run the engine long enough to warm the oil, then shut it down, pull the spark plug wire off for safety and drain the oil. Let it drain and drip for about ten minutes, the replace the drain plug. Both fill caps have a dip stick to show you the oil level and depending on the engine you should need fourteen to sixteen ounces of oil to refill. Briggs & Stratton recommends that the oil be changed after every fifty hours of operation.

- What could cause my Bolens riding mower not to move?
It rolls when its off but when I start it up it does not move.

A When you engage the drive lever, a idler pulley tightens on the drive belt. If any of the drive components are out of alignment, or binding, the tractor will either not move or stall the engine. Consult your owners service manual and check the routing of the belts and all parts are free and correct. One other thing, make sure your transaxle has lubrication and all chassis parts are lubed too. The problem isn't necessarily this but it will be one less problem as the mower gets more use now at the start of the mowing season.