Exmark Z Lazer HP

[longjohn79]

Bought a used Exmark zeroturn. 1000 hours, owner said he changed hydro fluid and then it wouldn't move. I purchased as is cheap. I tried bleeding air and all it will do is drive one tire and then after a while of holding both sticks forward or reverse is that it will switch which tire is moving. The other tire in those cases can be stopped by hand or doesn't turn at all. Looks like pumps where changed or at least removed and messed with.

Does anyone know procedures I can use to test to see if pumps are good? If drive Motors are good? Fluid is correct and full, and I have ran it for 10-15 minutes at a time with wheels raised, have cracked hoses to try and bleed, and also backed off the hydro filter to let fluid run out to help bleed air.

Any ideas or tests or checks are greatly appreciated. I found an operator manual but now am also looking for a shop manual.

Thanks!

 

[hawkeye08]

Perhaps you can email mfg and ask for instructions on changing hydro fluid?

If I had the exact model, I could look further on Exmark website... but it occurred to me that perhaps the hydro motors are in "freewheel" mode? I have not located the levers on my Ferris yet, but there are supposed to be levers to allow running the motors without moving the unit (or for pushing it when not running). Those levers may need to be moved back to "run" mode??

 

[hawkeye08]

On my Ferris it called bypass mode, I need to find the levers and make sure I am able to do it, before I need to sometime when I am in a hurry. I found the information for my mower in the operators manual.

 

[longjohn79]

Ok yes on the Exmark there are two bypass screws and I can loosen them and push the unit and tighten them and the wheels won't turn by hand.

 

[JDL538]

Ok yes on the Exmark there are two bypass screws and I can loosen them and push the unit and tighten them and the wheels won't turn by hand.

Did that fix it ?

 

[longjohn79]

No that was just to verify I could move it and the bypasses worked. It still will not move itself and only spins one wheel when wheels are lifted in forward or reverse.

 

[hawkeye08]

Make sure the right hydro filters are installed. My operators manual (Ferris) says to put in bypass to purge air out. Have you put in bypass and run the levers forward and back? Here is the procedure for my mower..

Purging Air from the Hydraulic System:
1. Chock the front wheels to prevent the machine from rolling.
Raise the rear of the machine so that the vehicle’s rear tires
do not contact the ground. Position jack stands under the
rear bumper of the machine to secure it.
2. Open the transaxle’s bypass valves (see Pushing the Rider
by Hand for the location and function of the bypass valves),
start the engine, release the parking brake, and slowly move
the zero-turn rider’s ground speed control levers in both
forward and reverse directions (5 to 6 times), as air is
purged from the unit, the oil level will drop.
3. Stop the engine and engage the parking brake.
4. Close the transaxle’s bypass valves, start the engine,
release the parking brake, and slowly move the zero-turn
rider’s ground speed control levers in both forward and
reverse directions (5 to 6 times), as air is purged from the
unit, the oil level will drop.
5. Stop the engine. Remove the jack stands from underneath
the machine.
6. Repeat the process detailed above but with the unit's drive
wheels on the ground. The procedure should be performed
in an area free of any objects or bystanders.
It may be necessary to repeat the process detailed above until
all the air is completely purged from the system. When the
transaxles/transmissions operate at normal noise levels and
move smoothly forward and reverse at normal speeds, then the
transaxles/transmissions are considered purged.

 

[longjohn79]

Awesome thank you, I will try and use that procedure to check it out.

 

[hawkeye08]

did that fix it?

 

[longjohn79]

So I ran the procedure, did it slow and paid attention. I get great pressure in one wheel and it will go forward and reverse. The other wheel doesn't spin almost at all in either direction. After it runs for about 15 minutes the power transfers to the other wheel. I'm thinking I'm sucking air somewhere on a bad hose or fitting.

 

[Gunpowder]

What did yo find out? I serviced my filter last fall and this week I lost the right side. Eventually it travels to both sides. I loosened and tightened the hoses and filter. Now it has gone to left and eventual the right goes. The bleed procedure is not in the 2008 manaul. It does mention the bypass screws (no lever) but bno pick to identify the correct location on the pump. Just a description front right side of pump.

 

[RjCorazza]

Not Exmark specific, but last year I tried an aftermarket hydraulic filter on my ZD331 and it was dead in the water. I replaced it with an oem filter and all was well. If the previous owner is being truthful, I would try replacing the hydraulic filter.

 

[bjr]

Not tryin' to be a smarty here, 'cause I don't know anymore than anyone else, but, could a drive key on a axle fell out. Such as someone had the wheel off and didn't notice the key had fell out of the key slot and put the tire/wheel back on? bjr