Z-Force 50 Blade spindle greasing

OldMachinist · Jun 2, 2006

Reply to Sigma about why they didn't put holes in covers. I think they want you take the covers off so you can also clean the clippings out from around the pulleys. Reply to other guys the Z-Force 50 grease fittings are on top of the spindle shafts unlike other mowers where the grease fittings are on the bearing housings.

OldMachinist · Jun 2, 2006

Reply to Sigma about why they didn't put holes in covers. I think they want you take the covers off so you can also clean the clippings out from around the pulleys. Reply to other guys the Z-Force 50 grease fittings are on top of the spindle shafts unlike other mowers where the grease fittings are on the bearing housings.

Sigma · Jun 5, 2006

Oldmachinist,

Well, I pulled the covers off and greased the outer spindles with no problem (I may drill some holes in the acces covers eventually).

Anyway, the center spindle only took one pump of the grease gun and that was it. After that, it seemed like it was full and wouldn't accept anymore grease. Sounds like I may have the same problem you had.

Was it difficult to fix?

Sigma · Jun 5, 2006

Oldmachinist,

Well, I pulled the covers off and greased the outer spindles with no problem (I may drill some holes in the acces covers eventually).

Anyway, the center spindle only took one pump of the grease gun and that was it. After that, it seemed like it was full and wouldn't accept anymore grease. Sounds like I may have the same problem you had.

Was it difficult to fix?

OldMachinist · Jun 5, 2006

To verify if you have the same problem you need to pull the center spindle bolt and pulleys out and see where the cross hole is drilled. You will have to drop the deck off the frame, remove the blade and release the tension on the the blade belt to do that. After you have the pulleys and bolt in your hands as an assembly look to see if the crosshole is blocked by the hub on the pulley. If you want to fix it remove the grease fitting and drill the center hole 1" deeper and then drill a new crosshole. Flush out all the chips and reassemble. If your mower is under warranty and the dealer is not too far away you might get them to replace the bolt with a new one. A new bolt is around $17 plus shipping from where I buy my parts. I didn't buy a new one because I knew I could fix it and the nearest dealer is 50 miles away.

OldMachinist · Jun 5, 2006

To verify if you have the same problem you need to pull the center spindle bolt and pulleys out and see where the cross hole is drilled. You will have to drop the deck off the frame, remove the blade and release the tension on the the blade belt to do that. After you have the pulleys and bolt in your hands as an assembly look to see if the crosshole is blocked by the hub on the pulley. If you want to fix it remove the grease fitting and drill the center hole 1" deeper and then drill a new crosshole. Flush out all the chips and reassemble. If your mower is under warranty and the dealer is not too far away you might get them to replace the bolt with a new one. A new bolt is around $17 plus shipping from where I buy my parts. I didn't buy a new one because I knew I could fix it and the nearest dealer is 50 miles away.

Sigma · Jun 5, 2006

Thanks for the info. Oldmachinist.

My ZF is still under warranty, only a few months old. However, the dealer I bought it from is about hour drive. I do have have a local dealer, but wasn't sure how much effort they'd put in to helping me since I bought it somewhere else.

I'll try to find the time to look at it before going to the dealer.

Thanks again.

Sigma · Jun 5, 2006

Thanks for the info. Oldmachinist.

My ZF is still under warranty, only a few months old. However, the dealer I bought it from is about hour drive. I do have have a local dealer, but wasn't sure how much effort they'd put in to helping me since I bought it somewhere else.

I'll try to find the time to look at it before going to the dealer.

Thanks again.

Sigma · Jun 13, 2006

Update:

After mowing for a little over an hour last night I hit the center spindle with the grease gun. It took 4 or 5 squirts this time.

Could it be that the bearing being hot changed something? I never did see the grease coming out anywhere, but I'm certain the grease was going into the fitting and going somewhere.

I'll try to remember to mow a few times, and see if it will take grease next time when cold.

OldMachinist · Jun 13, 2006

If you could get it to take 4 or 5 pumps easily then I say you don't have the problem. When I had the problem it was like trying to pump grease into a blind hole.