Switching Hydro Fluid in JD Z830? HELP!

[Funkster]

I was reading on Lawnsite the other day how some people were changing out the Hy guard hydro fluid in favor of low viscosity. I was wondering if anyone on here has done that? I am overall pleased with the mower except for the stiff steering. I really have to fight the sticks to keep it straight and the hydros really whine alot. Needless to say, alot different than my old Xmark that burnt up. I asked my dealer and they didn't know what to tell me, so I thought I'd ask you guys. Any help would be great!!

-Funkster-

 

[shot_gun]

To my knowledge that is what is in the pumps right now. You might want to wait to change it. Ask your dealer to order the proper pip kit(product improvement program) for your machine. We just recieved some of ours yesterday. Some are still on back order but atleast they are working to fix the issues. Talk with your dealer they should be able to tell you what you need. I would put the kit in there before doing anything else.

 

[Funkster]

Thanks a bunch! I use to work at a JD store so I'm familiar with pip kits. So, what does the kit consist of?

-Funkster-

 

[Funkster]

By the way, everything I've seen is that they are filled with regular Hy-Guard, not low viscosity.

-Funkster-

 

[JiminGa]

isn't low viscosity for cold weather? how would that help on a mower in the summer?

 

[Funkster]

These new hydro pumps on the new 800 series are alot bigger and perform differently. With all this extra fluid, it makes it run very stiff and they tend to whine alot. So switching to Low viscosity (which is a thinner weight), some say they run much smoother and easier.

-Funkster-

 

[shot_gun]

There are multible kits and I'm not sure whats in them and whats not. I'll find out this coming week when we get ready to do some of our in stock units.

 

[Funkster]

Well I've had the PIP kits done to both of my mowers and it really made no difference. And the thing that really steamed me was when the woman service advisor got on the mower before they did the work and drove it around, she them told me when I came in to pick them up that since I'm a bigger guy, I'm "over steering" the mower. I said that's funny, my exmark I had before steered beautifully and even my wife is complaining about the steering on this JD. Has anyone came up with a "true" fix? I'm still contemplating switching the fluid. I have adjusted the steering linkage myself and it's helped some, but it's still not right. Any help would be awesome!

-Funkster-

 

[shot_gun]

It makes a little difference when you put the shock relocation kit on. The thinking is that it is giving you more leverage on the shock absorbers making it a little smoother operation. I have noticed that the machines differ as to how well each kit affects the machine. If you try the oil change keep us posted. I would be curious how you make out. I think what the lady might have implied is the new machine only take a small amount of input to make it turn as opposed to our older units. The diference between your old exmark and the new Deere is that no one that I know of has used this system in a "z" in recent history so that Deere is going to feel completely diffrent from everything else out there. That has been my experience so far. I have also found that the z's are more easily controled better at WOT settings.