Yeah Zemo, I also think that keeping those gears lubed with grease or heavy oil instead of the water that creeps in during cool down after use is way overated. Besides, those puny little gearboxes are cheap and always easy to replace, I`d say don`t worry about it until it fails just before that next noreaster, I`m sure that you`ll find someone to come out and fix it for you. Probably cheaply and at night too!

HAHAHA!! Nothing personal Zemo, atleast you asked if it was a good idea before you neglected it.

That's why I asked. My concern was opening it up all the time to check the level would loosen the seal and cause it to leak, but if it is needed maintenance then I will certainly do it. I'm assuming that Home Depot or other stores sell the necessary grease so I don't need to special order some from Ariens?

I'm guessing that if the manufacturer intended for the
lubricant to be changed periodically, then they would
have put a drain plug on it, instead of just a sight
plug.