greetings fellow forum members. i have a walk behind hyd mower that has a hydraulic issue. the forward motion in one wheel suddenly does not operate. it does tho in reverse. question: if the problem is either in the hydraulic pump or in the wheel motor on that side, generally is it more cost effective to replace that component (over $600 for either pump or wheel motor!) or do dealers send it out to hyd specialists to repair the problem as, for example, diesel injector pumps? is the repair of pump or motor a specialized procedure on a zero turn (mine is either hydro gear or parker or both)..... any info appreciated in advance. bb
question on hyd pump or wheel motor issue on zero turn
- Thread starter big bubba
- Start date
oldnslo
Super Member
What is the model of your mower. Stating that it works in reverse but not forward could indicate a piece of linkage has worn or become disconnected for the forward direction.
Does it even try to move forward?
Does it work when cold but gets worse as it warms up?
Any new or different sounds when trying to drive forward Vs reverse?
Does it even try to move forward?
Does it work when cold but gets worse as it warms up?
Any new or different sounds when trying to drive forward Vs reverse?
thx. actually got it stuck in mud on one side on a pond dam. one wheel spun for a few seconds before i disengaged the clutch. i then opened the bypass valves on both pumps before i towed it to level ground. the forward motion on the wheel opposite to the one that was spinning now no longer has forward motion. both work in reverse. (i tightened both bypass valves again once on level ground after tow) so....i fear either a pump or wheel motor replacement! either one costs over $600. surely there should be pressure relief valves for such an occasion. my model is the 36" hydro of following. hey thanks for reply
Hydro Drive Walk-Behind Mowers - Encore
Hydro Drive Walk-Behind Mowers - Encore
Redneck in training
Elite Member
Do you have a sealant in the tires? It could make the rim slipping in the tire without air pressure loss. If that is the case you will need to repaint shoulder of the rim and new tire. Happened to my mover. Then I replaced both tires from low pressure (some Chinese junk) to high pressure (Carlisle) that are thicker and way harder to puncture.
"Do you have a sealant in the tires?" redneck in training
all my tires are foam filled on the walk behind. well, my above problem was thankfully fixed through a simple (& dumb) error on my part. in getting it stuck, i unknowingly engaged the right side hyd ebrake, so naturally that side was fixed. a flip of the lever was all it took to operate like normal. so... sorry for the time on your part. (at least my own stupidity made my day today) thx for replies.
on another note, a quik hyd tip for zero turn owners that most but maybe not all know: if you have to tow the machine, always open (loosen) the bypass valves on both hyd pumps so it will freewheel. otherwise, forcing it could put stress on the hydraulics. at least i did that right :drink: thanks again, best regards
all my tires are foam filled on the walk behind. well, my above problem was thankfully fixed through a simple (& dumb) error on my part. in getting it stuck, i unknowingly engaged the right side hyd ebrake, so naturally that side was fixed. a flip of the lever was all it took to operate like normal. so... sorry for the time on your part. (at least my own stupidity made my day today) thx for replies.
on another note, a quik hyd tip for zero turn owners that most but maybe not all know: if you have to tow the machine, always open (loosen) the bypass valves on both hyd pumps so it will freewheel. otherwise, forcing it could put stress on the hydraulics. at least i did that right :drink: thanks again, best regards
Last edited:
oldnslo
Super Member
Glad it was a simple fix. Appreciate letting us know what the problem was