Maintenance of Cub Cadet ZRT Hydrostatic Drives?

   / Maintenance of Cub Cadet ZRT Hydrostatic Drives? #1  

tjc1989

Silver Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
106
Location
East Texas
Tractor
2006 Branson 4220i with FEL
Just bought a used Cub Cadet RTZ 22 Zero Turn Mower. Hydrostatic Drives seem to be working OK, but seem a little noisy. Is the oil or hydraulic fluid changeable in these? I see no evidence of leaking. Is the oil level checkable on them?
 
   / Maintenance of Cub Cadet ZRT Hydrostatic Drives? #2  
well - manual sez "HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE
The zero turn tractor is equipped with dual integrated
hydrostatic pumps, motors, and transaxles that are
sealed and do not require regular maintenance. All
service work on the hydrostatic transmissions should
be performed by your Cub Cadet dealer."

Mebbe some other user can share personal experience with self-servicing those trannies...
 
   / Maintenance of Cub Cadet ZRT Hydrostatic Drives?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thanks to both rcbe and oldmachinist. I'll check out the service manuals from that thread and see if they help.

Having said that, I have to tell you a little humor. I had never driven a ZTR mower before, and was EXTREMELY unproficient at maneuvering it first time. When I went to drive it up the ramps on to my trailer, well you guessed it..... I looked like a drunk on an ice covered road trying to keep it straight going up the ramps. And yep, drove the front wheels right off the ramps, and had to get them back on the ramps to finish loading:eek:

But no damage, except to my ego. Time will tell if I become a ZTR loyalist. I have a 12 year old John Deere 46 inch tractor style mower, I bought new, that runs like a champ, no issues. I'll give it a shot with the ZTR, though.
 
   / Maintenance of Cub Cadet ZRT Hydrostatic Drives? #5  
I hear that tjc! The first time I tried a zero turn I was ALL over the place. I gotta hand it to you to attempt the widow maker maneuver (ramp load) on your first ride! Impressive indeed. :) I have yet to operate a Z-Force and have one on order. I'll be curious on the trans oil change thing for my Z-Force 44 as well. It's got the Hydrogear ZT-2800's transaxles, which are essentially like yours, but have a small spin on filter on each trans. I assume you drain it by removing the filter and fill through the plastic reservoir bottle. I haven't seen a single post on servicing these yet.

Joel
 
   / Maintenance of Cub Cadet ZRT Hydrostatic Drives?
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I hear that tjc! The first time I tried a zero turn I was ALL over the place. I gotta hand it to you to attempt the widow maker maneuver (ramp load) on your first ride! Impressive indeed. :) I have yet to operate a Z-Force and have one on order. I'll be curious on the trans oil change thing for my Z-Force 44 as well. It's got the Hydrogear ZT-2800's transaxles, which are essentially like yours, but have a small spin on filter on each trans. I assume you drain it by removing the filter and fill through the plastic reservoir bottle. I haven't seen a single post on servicing these yet.

Joel


I wasn't in the market for one of these, but ran across it at a great price while looking at a farm implement . It had been about a year since it had been run. It appeared to have been poorly maintained, and I am in the process of fixing / repairing /adjusting it out to my expectations. While awaiting a deck belt I ordered, I removed the deck, and sharpened the blades, and repairing any damages I find. I found that it had never had the blade spindles greased. (The grease fittings are under the blade ). One grease fitting is stopped up, and one spindle bearing sounds a little rough. Perhaps its not too late.

I have found no evidence that mine has any of the better , well thought out features yours will have concerning the maintenance of the Hydro drives. For the time being, I am going to hold off on removing the drives to service them, but thats on a very near future to do list. I'm not a believer that because they are sealed, they should not be serviced.

As stated earlier, in this and some other posts, especially by oldmachinist , for a variety of reasons that oil definitely deteriotes. When I take it apart, I will do as oldmachinist did , and drill and tap a drain plug.
 

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