OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Regreasing/servicing Victa SP transmission

Hi Folks,

Have searched and can't find info on this - have a couple of working 550 Pro's. I've noted that the Victa parts list says regarding the rear transmission that it should be greased for life BUT to repack with Energrease at a major service.

These mowers would definitely be overdue to atleast have the transmissions checked and perhaps topped up with grease.

Wondering how is one best to open/check these? Flip the mower upside down and access somehow from there or can you get proper access from it from the top?

I'd like to use as unobtrusive a method as possible but if the grease is as old and dried out as I suspect I'll clean out and replace - I have read the nearest to Energrease is a general purpose lithium grease? I think the rule is fill the casing 1/3 with grease only?

Thanks in advance - am reluctant to just start pulling bits off but feel these should be checked and serviced as likely due.

Hi N1KK0,
From memory I think they are a sealed unit and the only way in there is to split the gearbox case. Could be wrong but I think that is the case and that I can assure you is not unobtrusive

Hi Norm,

From what I've read you're 100% correct but I can easily enough make another gasket for the unit with some gasket silicone - so isn't the end of the world - does state that for a major service it should be refilled so I'll use that as the baseline. Alas Victa were very contradictory with this unit - it's greased for life BUT repack at every major service - go figure.

So any idea if these are best opened in such a manner from the top or bottom?

Probably a terrible alternative idea - but one could drill a very small hole to the 'edge' of the drive and then use a grease gun to add extra fresh grease - and then 'reseal' the hole with a small piece of plastic or similar glued on over this. Haha as I said likely a terrible idea.

As much as a PITA I do think serviving these in some manner is a good idea - they've likely never been done and I doubt Victa thought they'd be used for 30yrs+ without a little TLC.....just a shame they were more consistent in their advice.

I'm not sure how well sealed these are but if I was to split one I would be thinking of using a 00grease. This would depend on how good the seals were on the axles. As for a gasket I probably wouldn't bother, just put a wipe of sealer on the faces and should be fine

Hi all,

The factory repair manual [Gregory's #424] says to use BP Energrease F600EP grease, which was a semi-fluid NLGI 00 grade. No longer available, and the modern Castrol equivalent is only available in 12.5kg buckets minimum!

The product we highly recommend for these semi fluid grease applications is Penrite's 00 grade, which is marketed as both 'semi fluid grease' and 'steering box lube' . It's available in 450g cartridges and 500g bottles.

And yes, to check the gearbox internals, you will have to remove the gearbox cover. There are a few tricky operations if full dismantling is required, though.

Thanks for the replies and excellent info both Norm and Gadge!

So is all this best attempted with the mower upside down or normal side up? I can't see an easy way to get at the gearbox via the latter so assume I'll have to flip her over?

Gearbox will have to be completely removed so the cases can be split

Oh. I had a look on a spare 550 I have, as the 'working' one currently has a tank full of fuel and I couldn't see an easy way and so what you've said Norm sounds about right. Looks like a PITA and I suspect that knowing my luck I'll either break something or when I open it there'll be loads of grease and so nothing to do. Hmmm I think I mighht pass on it for now as looks risk vs reward trade off a dud deal for me. Much thanks for the feedback and advice.

Sounds like a good idea to me.