I just purchased a snapper with the Kawasaki FJ180V engine myself. I only have two hours on it, so I have not had the honor of changing the oil and filter yet. However, the engine manual shows two drain plugs on the engine. One is on the top side of the deck low down on the engine. The other one is on the bottom of the engine, which I expect to use. Take a look at the engine manual for the FJ180V. While I have not looked for it yet, the manual shows it as being there. To me, I think the problem will be replacing the oil filter with the mower in the upright position. I expect to lose some oil on the deck when I change it. If it really becomes a problem, I will tip the mower on the side with the filter down so I can catch some of the oil when I unscrew the filter. By the way, my mower is the Hi-Vac model without a blade clutch to get in the way of draining the oil from the bottom (if the plug is really there as shown in the engine manual). I will have to take a physical look for the plug tomorrow. Now you have me wondering if the engine manual is incorrect. Charles Ranheim

I looked at the underside of my mower for the drain plug. It looks like it is probably under the drive belt cover making it difficult or impossible to get to. My snapper operator manual shows tipping the mower back to drain it from the filling tube after draining the fuel out of the tank. It may not be possible to tip the mower enough as shown because of the limit put on it by the handle. I would try to put some kind of extension on the lower side drain plug, but I don't know the thread size of the plug. It is probably metric, making that option more difficult as well. What a fiasco! I will let you know if I find a way to extend the side drain on the engine. At least it is on the same side as the oil filter, so tipping the mower on the side seems like the only option left

You can get an inexpensive manual vacuum tube with hose that will suck the oil out of the fill tube.

Here is a link that might be useful: Manual Vacuum Pump

I have the same mower, bought it new 2 years ago. I always just flip it over and drain out the fill tube, works fine. When you remove the filter, not much oil comes out. At least not like a car filter. Great mower/engine combination.

I resolved the problem on my mower as follows:
I put together an oil drain extension in place of the engine drain plug at the lower left side of the Kawasaki FJ180V 6.0 engine. I can now drain the oil through it by leaning the mower on the left side. The oil filter is on the same side, so any oil drippings when changing it can go into a catch pan. I used the following five parts to replace the original plastic drain plug:

Kawasaki Part # 59071-7004 Â This thread adapter screws into the engine and accepts NPTF 3/8" pipe thread. It replaces the original plastic drain plug on the left side of the engine.

Kawasaki "O" ring (16mm) Â This is used on the above adapter. It is the same part as the one on the original plastic drain plug.

Brass Pipe Bushing: 3/8" MIP x ¼" FIP.  This reduces the 3/8" pipe thread down to ¼".

Brass Pipe Nipple: ¼"MIP x 2".  This extends the drain to where it can be easily used.

Brass Pipe Cap: ¼" FIP  This is the final drain cap at the end of the 2" pipe nipple.

This all clears the oil filter hardware and the fuel line to the carburetor from the fuel tank. Total cost, about $12.

Charles Ranheim

I looked it up, and that's one good-looking mower. Just one thing, though - you say you tilt up the RH side to drain the oil out of the LH side - the LH side also has the carburetor. Tilting the mower with the carburetor down can cause oil to enter the intake tract and foul the air filter. That's why the gas fill is on that side and the oil fill/drain is on the other side.

I don't expect to have to tip the mower completely on its left side. I will raise it enough to allow the oil to drain into a funnel & bottle. The lower side drain should allow the lowest point containing the most sediment to drain out. I don't think the oil level will reach the cylinder at the level I intend to tip the machine. If necesary, I can tip the machine back first to allow some oil to drain out, then tip it more to the side for the rest of it. I can't tip the machine back far enough to drain it from the filler tube because of the mower handle. In order to pivot the handle out of the way, I would have to disconnect the speed control rod first. I used to tip my old snapper on the side to drain the oil through the filler tube. On this machine, I would have to remove the side discharge piece first. Your point is well taken. I will take care to prevent oil from getting to the upper part of the engine. Charles Ranheim.

Get a drill-pump, & pump it out through the fill tube. Whatevers left, Slight tilt & drain.

My Snapper operators manual shows a picture and says not to mow up and down hills, but rather mow across hills up to a 15 degree slope. If mowing with a 15 Degree tilt is acceptable, I'm sure I can drain the oil using my new drain pipe attached to the lower side engine drain with a 15 Degree tilt. I feel very comfortable with my plan. I will know for sure when I make use of it on my next oil & filter change. Thanks for all who responded with suggestions. Charles Ranheim