ZD1211 Fuel Filter

[RjCorazza]

I finally got my ZD1211 outfitted with a 2 micron Racor Fuel filter, and deleted the small individual tank filters. About a 2 hour job.

 

[RjCorazza]

Update...
After running the mower under load, the fuel supply wouldn't keep up with demand. I had to add a second electric lift pump.

 

[arto98607]

Hopefully that took care of it, if not there should be 10 or 12 micron replacement filters.
I think my F had originally 50 micron filters from the factory, which I did not like much...

 

[RjCorazza]

It's running fine after 10 hours of mowing with the secondary lift pump. I never thought of going to a 10u filter, I suspect that would have worked.
re: OEM inline filters... I arrived at the same conclusion that the Kubota filters are 50u, but Kubota won't confirm.

 

[iamanerd2]

I finally got my ZD1211 outfitted with a 2 micron Racor Fuel filter, and deleted the small individual tank filters. About a 2 hour job.
View attachment 820251
View attachment 820252

Do have a parts list so I can do this to mine please

 

[RjCorazza]

Do have a parts list so I can do this to mine please

I have since returned the fuel system to stock because of (apparently) unrelated unequal fuel tank drawing issues.
Racor 215r2 filter
5/16" fuel line
Amazon 12v inline fuel pump
1/4" npt (?) X 5/16 Barb fittings
Maybe a 5/16 double male barb
Zip ties

 

[iamanerd2]

I have since returned the fuel system to stock because of (apparently) unrelated unequal fuel tank drawing issues.
Racor 215r2 filter
5/16" fuel line
Amazon 12v inline fuel pump
1/4" npt (?) X 5/16 Barb fittings
Maybe a 5/16 double male barb
Zip ties

I know the check valves help with inclines and prevent overfilling one tank. Cleaning the vent cap holes helps with draw as well as shutoff fully open. Sometimes shutting on side off when almost empty an then running one side till almost empty the fill both sides and turn back on both and bleed the air out at the injector line to make sure steady flow and reassemble. I would think just removing 2 filters putting in a 10 to 12u filter with your setup shouldn't really affect equalization. What all did u try to fix it? So I can see if I really should go down that road lol.

 

[iamanerd2]

I have since returned the fuel system to stock because of (apparently) unrelated unequal fuel tank drawing issues.
Racor 215r2 filter
5/16" fuel line
Amazon 12v inline fuel pump
1/4" npt (?) X 5/16 Barb fittings
Maybe a 5/16 double male barb
Zip ties

Also since u went back would u be interested in selling the parts u got?

 

[iamanerd2]

I have since returned the fuel system to stock because of (apparently) unrelated unequal fuel tank drawing issues.
Racor 215r2 filter
5/16" fuel line
Amazon 12v inline fuel pump
1/4" npt (?) X 5/16 Barb fittings
Maybe a 5/16 double male barb
Zip ties

Also im sure u did this but did u make sure check valves were in correctly?

 

[RjCorazza]

Also im sure u did this but did u make sure check valves were in correctly?

I'm certain that the Racor addition had nothing to do with my current equalization problem. It's all back to stock now, still not drawing off of the right tank with both fuel valves open.
What I have done : (no particular order)
- Blew out all lines, plus return
- Replaced aftermarket filters with oem
- Drained and flushed tanks (NOTHING found)
- Confirmed check valves working, and replaced anyway
- Replaced most fuel supply line
- Removed tank shut-off valves, Confirmed operation, cleaned
- Confirmed no dirt in tanks
- Confirmed tank caps are venting, clean (there has never been a vacuum detected in either tank)
- Confirmed fuel pump working, good fuel flow at EVERY point in the system (ie: good flow at bare tank, after shut-off valves, after tank filter, before lift pump, after lift pump, after final filter, at injectors.

What happens:
Right now, with both tank valves open 90% + of the fuel comes from the left tank. The left tank filter is always 1/2 full, and the right tank filter is always full. No amount of bleeding will fill the left tank filter. The mower will run fine off of each individual tank by shutting off the other fuel valve.
After my initial troubleshooting listed above the mower ran great for 30 hours, with fuel equally drawing and both filters full. Now it's back to the state of not drawing from the right tank.

The only fuel component before the injector pump I haven't looked at is the crossover equalization tube, but that appears to be simply a pipe connecting the tops of the two tanks.

I'm keeping the Racor for future use, but there are inexpensive knock-offs on the market that get good reviews here on TBN.

 

[Brown Dog]

My left tank (sitting on seat) always takes 1.5-3gal more to fill than the right tank.
I’ve never been able to diagnose why either.

 

[RjCorazza]

I was going to just use the tank valves, or install a gated wye for convenience.
What happened was :
- With the left tank valve closed, I used up the 6 gallons in the right tank... Just like you'd expect.

- Closed right tank valve, open left tank valve. After about 30 minutes of mowing on level ground, the left tank is empty and the right tank is FULL. (?)

The crossover air equalization tubing terminates at the top of each tank, so there could not have been any siphoning of fuel. There has never been any suction or pressure detected when removing the fuel caps, so I'm ruling the crossover tube out.
The only thing that remains is the fuel return line (s), and apparently there are several. If the fuel return line to the left tank was blocked, that would seemingly explain my recent symptoms.

I have blown out the one return line on the rear of the overflow pipe, which T's to each tank. On the front of the overflow pipe is a smaller hose that goes to a "T", with one side going to something called an Air Breather, and the other side of the "T" goes to the injection pump. I just don't see how anything from the front of the overflow pipe could explain the problem.

 

[workinonit]

I have no idea which of my tanks empties faster. I just mow until the gauge says I need fuel and I add fuel. It sounds like there is nothing wrong with the mower it's just the way it is.

 

[Brown Dog]

I mow some insane steep banks with Horizontal swipes & always figured that’s why mine was off.
No biggie tho I love my 4cyl Turbo Zero

 

[90cummins]

There are two check valves that are placed after the inline fuel filters.
These check valves prevent the tanks from transferring to each other. If one of them gets plugged only 1 tank to empty while the other stays full.
Remove them & clean them with low pressure air. Remember these are 1 way check valves.
Also make sure the filters are not plugged.
This should solve your problem so you can reinstall your Racor.
90cummins

 

[Brown Dog]

Mine has done this from day 1 brand new.
I run a $90 3qt hydroZorb membrane filter on my 550gal diesel tank & never had a problem with 3 tractors using from same tank.

It’s in the mowers fuel system some how.

 

[Hay Dude]

Both of my 1211’s are new this year. One has 65 hours, the other has 170 hours. Both have tanks that drain unevenly.
I don’t understand it, either. Shouldn’t both drain about the same?

 

[RjCorazza]

Both of my 1211’s are new this year. One has 65 hours, the other has 170 hours. Both have tanks that drain unevenly.
I don’t understand it, either. Shouldn’t both drain about the same?

Apparently it's not that unusual. Unfortunately mine is significantly worse than just uneven, the right tank will not provide fuel practically at all with both valves open. The problem started at around 1500 hours, and at 1800 I'm still dealing with it
I'll return with an update if I ever get it straightened out.
@90cummins : I have tested, cleaned, and replaced anyway the check valves.

 

[90cummins]

My tanks drained evenly until I hit 300hrs. Filter from left tank was plugged so I replaced filter with one I had on hand & also cleaned that check valve.
10 hrs later it shut down because it was running on the left tank only so I had to get a couple gallons to get it back to shop.
I had ordered filters earlier so I replaced the right filter.
I fuel from an inside 275 gallon bulk tank. I have 3 filters in line, 20 micron water block, 10 micron spin on & a 2 micron final filter so dirty fuel is not getting into system.
I’m quite careful filling it but it must be introduced when I open tank.

90cummins

 

[Rmart30]

I run one similar to this to help catch particles.

Kubota BX models 1870 to 23s fuel tank strainer filter designed by Botaproducts | eBay

Fits: All BX models including 1860,1870,1880,2360,2370,23D,24,25D,2380,23s,2660,2670,2680 Will fit others with 3" fuel tank opening and at least 6" of unobstructed depth No crush design This strainer is tapered (cone shaped) to fit all BX series fuel tanks +++++THIS IS THE ONE THAT FITS+++++.

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any why choose the racor over one of the kubota bases? Lower micron rating?

Fit KUBOTA FUEL FILTER ASSY M5040 M5140 M6040 M7040 | eBay

: M5040 M5140 M6040 M7040. The Fuel Filter ASSY are universal fit for most popular KUBOTA.

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