info for such should be in yer tractor's or engine manuals. Pay particular attention to timely servicing of that engine air filter/prefilter - many engines have went to an early grave due to related neglect.

If you can see there is no debris in the fuel filter- it can wait. You can also remove the line that goes into the filter from the tank and drain a small amount into a clean pan to look for debris backing up behind the filter. Plugs can wait too. You can wash the foam pre-filter and lightly oil. If there is no signs of dirt entering through the air filter and you can easily see light through the element- that can wait too.

I agree with Tomplum.
Operating conditions does dictate air filter replacement.
Spark plugs once a year is a waste of money.
One $45 upgrade I do recommend is investing in a hourmeter(if the tractor does not have one).
This way you can keep track of time between oil changes.

I did change the spark plug and glad I did,it was black. I just put a new one in last year,what could cause it to get so black in one season?

Hi
Off current topic a bit but does anyone have some ifo on what I need to check on a 31p777 - Intek Single 18.5hp B&S to work out why I have no charge coming through
I checked cables
Tested Battery
Checked Fuse
Checked Switch
I went to buy a manual but they wanted $100 Aus and I don't want to buy online so help is appreciated
Oh it's a craftsman copy called a McCulloch 18.542MST ride on

enzo906 - start your own thread. don't hi-jack this one. see forum instructions on how to do so.

hogan_nj - blackened spark plug is an indicator of rich fuel mixture or burning some crankcase oil. Again, a plugged/dirty air cleaner could be making the fuel mixture too rich, might be a choke not fully open or internal engine wear (rings, bushings, etc.)

Changed my spark plug it was black! as suggested above black spark plugs can be cleaned and reused. the new one you put in will be black again in a short time from carb. dirty, carb. out of adjustment, or as suggested dirty air filters, IMO your tractor needs a total system cleanup along with a carb. cleaning.

This would include draining the gas tank cleaning it out by scrubbing with a bottle brush if the LT is over 6 years old or you see crap floating around in the gas tank, some say the filter will prevent debri from entering the engine, Debri is not what I am worried about it's the break down of the the gas with foreign material chemical action on the gas when it sets. when the gas is dirty all the time that has an effect on the inside of your carb. over time it gums up, passages start to clog, hence pro preformance an black spark plug.

While the gas tank is removed now a good time to inspect fuel lines from the tank to the filter, replacing the fuel filter, inspect the fuel line up to the carb. and the vacuum hose if it's got a fuel pump that runs off engine head vacuum. remove and clean the carb. or atleast clean out the carb. bowl if you can do that?

Change the oil at least twice a year and the filter once a year, clean or replace the air filter and the pre-filter every to hours or once a month in mowing season, you can clean them several times usually replacement once a year or two depending on you conditions (mowing is dusty conditions required more pre-ventive maintenance). If you see any weather cracks in the fuel hoses replace them, if the tractor is over 6 years old replace them. old fuel hoses are a fire waiting to happen.

You also need to go over your LT once a year minimum I do mine twice a year, check for loose hardward, cracked or chafed wiring, wiring chafing or close to moving or hot parts that will cause chafing and bare wires. zip tie off any suspected areas that may rub. Lube and inspect your deck and belts. Listen for any usual noises when your operating the LT, this may tell you something is about to fail or wearing out.

All of this is in your owners manual, but your conditions may dictate when and how long of internals. Mow in extreme conditions require pre-ventive maintenance more often than the owners manual may recommend. Plus there is always that clause in there about extrme conditions? This would be dusty dry conditions, using you tractor to tow or push heavy objects, running it in extreme cold for long peiords of time, and the longer you keep your tractor the more intense inspection you have to do.