Safety Letter for Our Z930M Regarding a Fire Hazard

[nikdfish]

Got a letter from Deere about our 2023 Z930M regarding Kawasaki's stop sale notice on some engines. The 21066-0785 voltage regulator has a flaw that can cause it to catch fire, even if not running. Instructions were to disconnect the battery ground until fixed. They went on to say that they didn't yet have a plan for replacement in place & it might take months.


I found a copy of the dealer notice (download here) https://www.lawnsite.com/attachments/eng-24-01-rev-2-5-24-pdf.567396/

It details affected engines & fix procedures.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

VRs are cheap and plentiful. Two minute swap. I’d replace it and keep mowing.

 

[nikdfish]

My engine's specification number (FS11 R) was not on the fix list, probably due to having a 20 amp alternator. The fix substitution currently published by Kawasaki specifies a 15 amp regulator. An alternative 15 - 20 amp 3 pin regulator is out there, but the connector sequence is different from the original. The current regulator connection layout is AC AC B+, the available 15-20 amp regulator has AC B+ AC. They are spade connectors so an adapter would be easy enough if I decide to go that route.

 

[jcmurph]

I find this alarming. My house just burned down a couple months ago. The investigator was very interested in the John Deere zero turn I had… here’s the photo of it after the fire.

 

[Gator6x4]

I find this alarming. My house just burned down a couple months ago. The investigator was very interested in the John Deere zero turn I had… here’s the photo of it after the fire.

From the provided photo it looks like the mower was the primary ignition source. I bet the fire investigator was interested.