ZD1211 Question

[workinonit]

So I just purchased a 1211 and have a fuel question. Mine has the LCD display that has the fuel gauge on uit. The manual says the fuel level is for the RH tank. My question is during mowing and moving around do the fuel tanks equalize so that the fuel level is what is actually in both tanks or at least close to that or am I missing the mark? When I brought it home the left tank was full and the right almost empty. After mowing a feqw hours the right tank level actually increased. I'm thinking the bypass tube may allow the tanks to equalize.

 

[loggin]

So I just purchased a 1211 and have a fuel question. Mine has the LCD display that has the fuel gauge on uit. The manual says the fuel level is for the RH tank. My question is during mowing and moving around do the fuel tanks equalize so that the fuel level is what is actually in both tanks or at least close to that or am I missing the mark? When I brought it home the left tank was full and the right almost empty. After mowing a feqw hours the right tank level actually increased. I'm thinking the bypass tube may allow the tanks to equalize.

If you can visually inspect the tanks that they are connected with a tube at the top and bottom then they are linked.

I believe this video is for your model. Look at the 2 minute 14 second mark:

 

[RjCorazza]

So I just purchased a 1211 and have a fuel question. Mine has the LCD display that has the fuel gauge on uit. The manual says the fuel level is for the RH tank. My question is during mowing and moving around do the fuel tanks equalize so that the fuel level is what is actually in both tanks or at least close to that or am I missing the mark? When I brought it home the left tank was full and the right almost empty. After mowing a feqw hours the right tank level actually increased. I'm thinking the bypass tube may allow the tanks to equalize.

The sensor is in the right tank, and fuel is drawn from both tanks at the same time. The crossover tube just equalizes the pressure between tanks.
I have no explanation as to why your right tank level appeared to increase. Each tank has a one way check valve that should prevent that from happening.
Fill both tanks and see if it's drawing from both tanks as it's supposed to. Last year my right tank was staying full, while the left tank emptied. It was caused by a restricted fuel filter on the right tank.

 

[workinonit]

So I guess the "theory" is that the fuel will get used the same from both tanks so the gauge would actually show you how much fuel is in each tank. Strange setup. I really do like the mower. Love the shaft driven deck and engine and transmission setup. But my favorite thing is the hydro deck raise.

 

[RjCorazza]

So I guess the "theory" is that the fuel will get used the same from both tanks so the gauge would actually show you how much fuel is in each tank. Strange setup. I really do like the mower. Love the shaft driven deck and engine and transmission setup. But my favorite thing is the hydro deck raise.

That is my understanding, and other than the one instance of uneven fuel draw I mentioned, my ZD1211 has been flawless over the past 900 hours. I also appreciate the hydraulic lift and shaft driven deck, but REALLY like the built in front jack for servicing the blades.
Some other opinions / information...
-The deck shaft comes in at a slight angle, so I make sure to grease it regularly. It's also easier to grease if you pop it off first with the quick release.
- The gear box (ZD1211L) calls for 10w30 motor oil, which I suspect is a HP saving thing. I go against Kubota's spec and use a synthetic 75w140 gear lube.
- Each bar on the gauge represents 2.15 gallons. Under my conditions I use 0.84 gallons per hour and can mow 25 acres until the low fuel light comes on (2 gallons remaining).
Your mower is a great machine and I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.

 

[workinonit]

Thanks, good info. Just what I was looking for. As you can see from my avatar, I'm a green user so this was a pretty tough decision for me but as soon as I looked at that mower I was sold. How it holds up is yet to be seen but rthe Bota is far and away a more thought out and better designed mower and appeaers to be built better.